So, I have not read this entire thread - but I have relatives in SE MN, so I think this is accurate:
The Head Coach at Iowa State used to be the head Coach at So Dakota State. Eli King's older brother Owen King was recruited by that coach to SDSU. FWIW, when the Coach moved to Iowa State, Owen King lost playing time under the new coach and transferred to Winona State.
But, the point is that the Iowa State Coach had recruited King's brother, so he had an established relationship with the King family, giving Iowa State a big leg up in the recruiting process.