Completed Event: Football versus Iowa on September 6, 2025 , Win , 16, to, 13
.png&width=70&height=70&type=webp)
Iowa State University Athletics
2008 Spring Football Outlook
03.24.2008 | Football
A general football guideline in determining a coach's impact is the improvement the team makes throughout the course of a season. In its first campaign under head coach Gene Chizik, Iowa State's gridiron team played its best football in the final five games of the 2007 campaign. It is that improvement, which included November wins over Kansas State and Colorado, that has Cyclone fans excited for Chizik's second fall in Ames. Despite the loss of a trio of Iowa State icons, the radical in-season upgrade of 2007 was made possible in part by seven offensive and defensive starters who return for ISU in 2008.
Chizik began to build hope among the Iowa State faithful by coaching his underdog Cyclones to a 15-13 win over intrastate rival Iowa in September. The victory made Chizik the first ISU head coach to beat the Hawkeyes in his series initiation game since Clyde Williams 100 years earlier. Iowa State was 1-6 before the hard work of Chizik's staff began to pay major dividends. The Cyclones led Big 12 champion Oklahoma 7-0 midway though the fourth quarter in Ames and went the distance at Big 12 North Division winner Missouri the following week, outgaining the Tigers. The major strides made under a new coaching staff were affirmed with a 31-20 win over Kansas State and 31-28 victory against bowl-bound Colorado. Iowa State equaled a school record by erasing a 21-0 halftime deficit to beat the Buffaloes.
There are major holes to fill. Quarterback Bret Meyer was a four-year starter who finished his career as Iowa State's all-time leader in passing (9,499 yards) and total offense (10,422). Meyer's former roomie and six-foot, five-inch target was wide receiver Todd Blythe, who finished his career as the Cyclone's all-time leader in receptions (176), receiving yards (3,096) and TD catches (31). The defensive lynchpin the last two seasons was Alvin “Ace” Bowen, who led the nation in tackles in 2006. But Iowa State's major strides as a team last season were in the offensive and defensive trenches and it is on that foundation that Chizik will build his 2008 Cyclones.
OFFENSE
Even with Meyer and Blythe, Iowa State struggled on offense last season. But improvement was made. As an offensive line that included four new starters last season matured, the Cyclones' running game demonstrated new life. In fact, for the first time since 1982, three different Iowa State running backs had 100-yard rushing games. All three backs return for 2008. Sacks allowed dropped dramatically, from 38 in 2006 to 17 last season. With additional reinforcements through redshirts and new recruits, offensive coordinator Robert McFarland must incorporate a new quarterback and pass catchers into the ISU offensive scheme.
Quarterback
4 *Austen Arnaud, 6-3, 222, So.#
8 *Phillip Bates, 6-2, 209, So.
Bret Meyer started the last 48 Iowa State games, dating back to the 2004 season. But Chizik and McFarland made sure that hometown (Ames) product Austen Arnaud got meaningful playing time last season. Arnaud was a positive force in his Cyclone debut, figuring large in Iowa State's win over Kansas State by completing five-of-seven passes for 130 yards and rushing for 19 yards. With good size, he is not afraid to run and can dish out what he gets when being tackled. Arnaud, whose father John was a standout ISU defensive back in the early 1980s, completed 20-of-37 passes for 267 yards in six games. He will be the No. 1 signal-caller heading into spring football.
Arnaud will have competition from a man with such overt talent that Chizik used him as a receiver last season because he wanted to have him on the field. Phillip Bates caught five passes for 73 yards in 2007. He made one of the season's biggest plays against Iowa, demonstrating his athletic ability. In closing minutes of the Iowa game, with Iowa State trailing 13-12, Meyer threw up a ball toward Bates in heavy traffic. Bates made a great catch going up to make the reception to set up the winning field goal.
Bates set a school record in just two seasons at Omaha (Neb.) North High School, throwing for 2,963 yards. He also ran for nine touchdowns. Chizik will monitor Bates' progress in the spring before making a decision on his future. You can bet that the sophomore will be on the field somewhere in 2008.
Runningback
6 ***Jason Scales, 5-9, 212, Sr.#
33 *Alexander Robinson, 5-10, 181, So.#
3 *J.J. Bass, 6-1, 206, Sr.
Iowa State returns three backs who each had at least one 100-yard game in 2007. The trio is expected to take advantage of a maturing offensive line this season. Sophomore Alexander Robinson came on strong late in his first collegiate season, rushing for 391 yards and six touchdowns on 95 carries over the last four games. Robinson's ability to make defenders miss and his drive for yards after contact earned him the starting spot for the last three games of the 2007 season. His coming out game was at Big 12 Conference North Division champion Missouri. The Minneapolis, Minn. native rushed for 149 yards on 21 carries against a Tiger defense that allowed an average of 122 rushing yards per game all season. Robinson's breakout contest included a 37-yard TD dash that was Iowa State's longest rush all season. He had his second 100-yard game in ISU's win over Colorado, rushing for 127 yards and two TDs on 29 carries. Another feature of Alexander's game is his deft ability to gain yards as a pass catcher out of the backfield. Alexander's 23 receptions for 167 yards reflected the Cyclones' ability to execute the screen pass and was the most catches by an Iowa State running back since Ennis Haywood had 25 receptions for 211 yards in the 2000 season.
There is plenty of competition. Jason Scales started a team-high five games at running back last season. The senior rushed for a career-high 115 yards on 31 carries and two touchdowns at Nebraska. Bothered by injuries early in his Iowa State career, Scales starts the 2008 season with 601 career rushing yards and six touchdowns on 190 carries.
J.J. Bass came to ISU as a junior college All-American and gave Iowa State fans a taste of his abilities in his first collegiate game, rushing for 133 yards on 22 carries with one touchdown in the season-opener against Kent State. He had significant contributions in the win over Iowa and rushed 34 times for 134 yards and a pair of TDs at Toledo. A shoulder injury suffered late in that game forced him to miss two contests and limited his efforts for the balance of the 2007 campaign.
There is promise at fullback. Derrick Catlett, who plays both fullback and tight end, appears to have the skill set to help compensate for the loss of Ben Barkema. Catlett hauled in 21 receptions for 112 yards and a pair of touchdowns last season. His 6-4, 241-pound frame matches his positions nicely. Fellow junior Brian Eklelundu has also seen action at fullback.
Wide Receiver
5 ***R.J. Sumrall, 6-1, 203, Sr.#
9 *Euseph Messiah, 5-10, 171, Sr.#
82 *Marquis Hamilton, 6-3, 220, Jr.#
18 Wallace Franklin, 6-3, 169, Sr.
Tight End
88 Collin Franklin, 6-6, 231, So.#
84 Derrick Catlett, 6-4, 251, Jr.#
R.J. Sumrall's steady performance and great hands made him a progressively bigger part of Iowa State's offense. Despite the presence of all-time receiving leader Todd Blythe last season, Sumrall led the team with 54 receptions for 434 yards. His 54 catches ranks eighth on the all-time ISU single-season list. Sumrall has more than his share of acrobatic catches during a career that includes 99 receptions for 1,055 yards. Euseph Messiah has five career catches for 30 yards and looks for additional playing time in 2008.
The departure of the 6-5 Blythe is partly mitigated by the size of 6-3, 220-pound wide receiver Marquis Hamilton. The junior had a strong 2007, making 45 receptions for 534 yards and a touchdown. Wallace Franklin may be the swiftest man on the football team. His first collegiate season ended with two receptions but he will get a longer look this spring. Houston Jones saw action throughout the 2007 season and returns this fall.
The tight end position should be healthy with the presence of a proven performer like Derrick Catlett (see fullback). The coaching staff is high on 6-6, 231-pounder Collin Franklin. Franklin's pass blocking skills are expected to improve as he adds additional pounds. He is expected to be a good pass target in the future.
Offensive Line
LT 75 *Doug Dedrick, 6-4, 282, Sr.
67 Matt Hulbert, 6-7, 287, So.#
LG 73 **Reggie Stephens, 6-4, 320, Jr.#
77 Alex Alvarez, 6-2, 282, So.#
C 60 *Brandon Johnson, 6-3, 305, Sr.#
52 Mike Knapp, 6-3, 270, Jr.#
RG 66 Joe Blaes, 6-2, 289, Sr.
72 Kelechi Osemele, 6-5, 341, Fr.#
RT 64 *Ben Lamaak, 6-4, 306, So.#
71 Trey Baysinger, 6-6, 292, Fr.#
In his first year on the job, Iowa State offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Robert McFarland was forced to totally rebuild a line that started five seniors in 2006. Despite having to inculcate a quintet of new starters in his system in 2007, McFarland's efforts were by all accounts successful. Iowa State was able to produce 100-yard rushing games by three different tailbacks. With the entire line returning and more importantly, a group of newcomers to enhance the competition for starting positions, the Cyclones should continue to improve in the trenches.
Doug Dedrick started all 12 games last season at left tackle after transferring from Scottsdale (Ariz.) CC. His steady performance was affirmed by his teammates, who voted him the team's top newcomer. When he was recruited to Iowa State, Chizik noted that he would have three years of eligibility in Ames. That is good news for a team looking to establish continuity up front. Matt Hulbert will also test his skills for playing time.
Reggie Stephens has started 15 straight games and will fight to hold on to that privilege this spring. Stephens is a two-year letterwinner whose size (6-4, 320) makes him a formidable barrier for Cyclone defenders. Alex Alvarez is another junior college transfer who is just a sophomore this season after redshirting the 2007 campaign.
Brandon Johnson started the entire 2007 season and begins his senior tour of duty working to hold on to his place in the two-deep. Junior Mike Knapp will also get a look there.
At right guard there is talent in the battle to be the 2008 starter. Senior Joe Blaes saw limited action but will get a look there. Blaes will try to fend off Kelechi Osemele this spring. Osemele has a huge frame (6-5, 341) and impressed the coaching staff during his redshirt season, after which he was named the offensive scout team player of the year.
Former high school quarterback Ben Lamaak came to Iowa State as a tight end prospect but found a home at right tackle last season, starting every game and earning freshman all-conference honors from The Sporting News. Redshirt freshman Trey Baysinger will also contend for playing time in a unit that features more depth than any offensive line position group in recent ISU history.
Special Teams
P
13 **Mike Brandtner, 6-1, 208, Jr.#
KR/PR
5 ***R.J. Sumrall, 6-1, 203, Sr.#
12 *Allen Bell, 6-2, 189 Jr.#
4 Zac Sandvig, 5-10, 184, So.#
17 *Devin McDowell, 5-9, 174, So.#
33 *Alexander Robinson, 5-10, 175, So.#
Iowa State boasts limited experience on special teams heading into spring football. Recruiting able newcomers will be a high priority at several positions. The departure of four-year starter Bret Culbertson as placekicker leaves a big hole at a high priority position. Mike Brantner is established as a punter who has started the past two seasons. His 40.2 yard average on 125 career punts ranks ninth in school history.
R.J. Sumrall, Allen Bell and Zac Sandvig are the kick/punt returners with the most experience. Again, recruiting will be a major factor at this position. Sumrall averaged 21.8 yards on 16 kickoff returns last fall with 41-yard returns last season against Kent State and Northern Iowa. Allen Bell had a 40-yard kickoff return last season. Zac Sandvig started the 2007 as Iowa State's punt returner before a new injury ended his season. Devin McDowell's only kickoff return was 35 yards in 2007.
DEFENSE
Iowa State made huge strides on defense despite playing a brutal 2007 conference schedule. The Cyclones improved from 102nd nationally and 11th in the Big 12 Conference in 2006 to 65th nationally and seventh in the league in 2007. Iowa State defensive coordinator Wayne Bolt's unit made its biggest strides against the run. With a pair of senior defensive tackles, Athyba Rubin and Bryce Braaksma and standout senior linebacker Alvin “Ace” Bowen as starters, Iowa State improved from 89th nationally against the run in 2006 to 44th nationally last fall. The trio helped ISU climb from 11th in the league in 2006 to the upper division in 2007 in the same category.
Despite the loss of that trio of defenders and linebacker Jon Banks, Bolt has seven starters back as the Cyclones re-load for 2008. With experience at defensive end, middle linebacker and in the secondary and increased competition in camp this spring, Iowa State aims at continuing its defensive resurgence.
Defensive Line
WE 29 **Rashawn Parker, 6-0, 252, Jr.
55 *Christopher Lyle, 6-4, 248, Jr.
DT 85 Bailey Johnson, 6-3, 266, So.#
56 Chris Weir, 6-3, 274, Sr.
NG 62 Nate Frere, 6-2, 307, Jr.
92 Jerrod Black, 6-2, 290, Fr#.
DE 47 **Kurtis Taylor, 6-2, 257, Sr.#
25 Nick Frere, 6-2, 248, Sr.#
The experience is there at defensive end. Kurtis Taylor had missed the 2006 season with a knee injury but rebounded with a strong junior season. Taylor made 6 ? sacks and finished second in the Big 12 in that category. Taylor's 41 tackles included eight stops behind the line of scrimmage. He also caused and recovered a fumble and broke up a pass. The senior is expected to be a team leader in 2008. Nick Frere made 11 tackles with a sack and 1 ? tackles for loss last season and will work for additional playing time this fall.
Rashawn Parker is only six feet all and weighs only around 260 pounds. All he does is make plays. Thus far a part-timer, Parker leads all Iowa State returnees with 10 tackles for loss. Among his 52 career tackles are five sacks. The junior has often made his plays in the clutch, when the Cyclones really needed a big stop. Christopher Lyle will be remembered by Iowa State fans as man who blocked a key field-goal try in ISU's 15-13 win over Iowa. Playing in every game, Lyle made nine tackles after transferring from Butler (Kan.) CC.
The biggest shoes to fill are those of Braaksma and Rubin. Braaksma was an unsung hero who made continual improvement during his five-year collegiate career. Getting a look at defensive tackle in the spring will be sophomore Bailey Johnson, who had nine tackles in a limited role in 2007. This will be a big spring for senior Chris Weir, who made three tackles last season and will also challenge at defensive tackle.
Athyba “Tuba” Rubin was an all-Big 12 performer last season. To replace him, Iowa State coaching staff will look at Nate Frere, who has seen sporadic action over the past two seasons, in part due to injuries. He has nine career tackles, two for loss. Jerrod Black impressed everyone as a true freshman, earning the team's defensive scout team player-of-the-year award as season's end. Black appears ready for playing time.
Linebackers
SLB 14 *Michael Bibbs, 6-2, 225, Sr.
10 Cameron Bell, 6-1, 223, Fr.#
MLB 54 **Jesse Smith, 6-0, 235, Jr.#
24 Derec Schmidgall, 6-1, 222, So.#
WLB 27 *Josh Raven, 5-11, 218, Jr.#
43 *Fred Garrin, 6-1, 219, Jr.
In additional to making 287 career tackles, all-Big 12 linebacker Alvin “Ace” Bowen was a team leader. Jon Banks, who was second on the team to Bowen in tackles last season has also moved on. Still, the cupboard is not bare.
Former walk-on Jesse Smith was a hit as a redshirt freshman. Thrust into the middle of the Iowa State defense, Smith was a force, making 79 tackles, third on the team. He tallied 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack and his improvement was a factor in the Cyclones' late-season surge. The Altoona native tallied 34 tackles in Iowa State's best games, a stretch against Big 12 champion Oklahoma, at Big 12 North champion Missouri and wins over Kansas State and bowl-bound Colorado. Derec Schmidgall has been a solid special teams player who had to deal with injury last season, curtailing his Iowa State contributions. This will be a big spring for the sophomore.
Michael Bibbs made 19 tackles in 10 games last season. The senior also broke up two passes. Cameron Bell was good enough to see action as a true freshman and was a special teams contributor who could see more playing time this fall. Two other Cyclones with similar resumes start the spring battling at WILL to replace Bowen. Josh Raven was another junior who was a contributor right away, making 21 tackles last season. Raven caused the Kansas State fumble on the opening kickoff that put Iowa State on its way to a 31-20 victory. Fred Garrin was another special teams contributor who made 19 tackles last season and figures to see additional playing time in 2008.
Defensive Backs
LCB 12 *Allen Bell, 6-2, 189, Jr.#
17 *Devin McDowell, 5-9, 183, So.#
RCB 11 ***Chris Singleton, 5-10, 191, Sr.
4 Zac Sandvig, 5-10, 184, Fr.#
SS 8 *Chris Brown, 5-10, 177, Sr.#
23 **Steve Johnson, 5-11, 201, Jr.#
FS 2 **James Smith, 5-8, 192, Jr.#
20 ***Brandon Hunley, 5-11, 205, Sr.#
Among all the recruits Gene Chizik brought in for immediate help, cornerback Allen Bell made contributions that demanded attention. Another juco brought in as a sophomore, Bell started every game and did so with a splash. The transfer who hails from Tallahassee, Fla. made 54 tackles. His gritty nature was on full display against Oklahoma when Bell picked off a Sam Bradford pass and returned it 26 yards while a pack of Sooners tried desparately to bring him to the ground. Devin McDowell, the younger brother of former Iowa State all-Big 12 defensive back DeAndre Jackson, made the highlight reel in his first season. The sophomore returned his first collegiate interception 25 yards for a touchdown at Missouri. He finished 2007 with 16 tackles and extended playing time this fall is possible.
Chris Singleton is a two-year starter who has played in more games than any of his mates in the Iowa State secondary. He stepped up in 2007, leading the team with four interceptions. His career data reflects 108 career tackles and his six interceptions. The senior has led ISU in interceptions the last two seasons, the first Cyclone to do so since Terrence Anthony in 1985 and 1986. Neophyte Zac Sandvig played in five games as a redshirt freshman and saw early punt-return duty before suffering a season-ending injury.
Strong safety Chris Brown started last season coming off the bench but made the most of his opportunities. The senior led the team with four pass breakups and made a sack. He was a force against Iowa, making a huge fourth-quarter stop on third-and-one to kill a Hawkeye drive. Brown finished the season with 43 tackles with a career-high effort of seven stops at Toledo and in the win over Colorado. Steve Johnson matured significantly as a sophomore. He made 22 tackles in his second collegiate season.
James Smith played like a man on a mission last season as a sophomore after having his freshman campaign curtailed by injury. Smith was third on the team with 79 tackles and made two interceptions in 2007. He helped preserve Iowa State's win over Colorado by tackling Buffalo wide receiver Tyson DeVree in bounds in the final seconds of the contest. Senior Brandon Hunley owns 29 career tackles and has forced two fumbles in a back-up role.
Players Mentioned
OL
/ FootballOL
/ Football
QB
/ FootballQB
/ Football
TE
/ Football
QB
/ Football
OL
/ FootballOL
/ Football
DB
/ FootballDB
/ Football
LB
/ FootballLB
/ Football
LB
/ FootballLB
/ Football
DL
/ FootballDL
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DE
/ Football
P
/ FootballP
/ Football
DB
/ FootballDB
/ Football
TE
/ FootballTE
/ Football
PK
/ Football
OL
/ FootballOL
/ Football
TE
/ FootballTE
/ Football
WR
/ FootballWR
/ Football
DL
/ FootballDL
/ Football
DL
/ FootballDL
/ Football
LB
/ FootballLB
/ Football
WR
/ FootballWR
/ Football
OL
/ FootballOL
/ Football
DB
/ FootballDB
/ Football
DL
/ FootballDL
/ Football
OL
/ FootballOL
/ Football
DB
/ FootballDB
/ Football
WR
/ FootballWR
/ Football
OL
/ FootballOL
/ Football
OL
/ FootballOL
/ Football
DE
/ FootballDE
/ Football
DB
/ FootballDB
/ Football
WR
/ FootballWR
/ Football
QB
/ Football
OL
/ FootballOL
/ Football
DL
/ FootballDL
/ Football
LB
/ FootballLB
/ Football
RB
/ FootballRB
/ Football
DB
/ FootballDB
/ Football
RB
/ FootballRB
/ Football
LB
/ FootballLB
/ Football
DB
/ FootballDB
/ Football
DB
/ FootballDB
/ Football
LB
/ FootballLB
/ Football
OL
/ FootballOL
/ Football
WR
/ FootballWR
/ Football
DL
/ FootballDL
/ Football
DL
/ FootballDL
/ FootballIkenna Ezeogu 11_4_25 interview
Tuesday, November 04
Chase Sowell 11_4_25 interview
Tuesday, November 04
Tre Bell 11_4_25 interview
Tuesday, November 04
Jim Bonifas 11_4_25 interview
Tuesday, November 04
