Upcoming Event: Football versus Southeast Missouri on September 5, 2026 at Noon
Iowa State University Athletics
Spring Breakdown: The Running Backs
02.26.2015 | Football
AMES, Iowa – Iowa State will begin its spring practice schedule on Tuesday March 3. Cyclones.com will breakdown each position heading into the spring game on April 11.
THE RUNNING BACKS
SYNOPSIS
Iowa State lost Aaron Wimberly and DeVondrick Nealy, its two primary ballcarriers in 2014. The Cyclones will now look to a group of underclassmen to take over the rushing load in 2015.
ISU does return experience in Tyler Brown (5-11, 186, So.#, Lakeland, Fla.) and Martinez Syria (6-0, 212, So., Humble, Texas). Brown played in 11 games in 2014, rushing for 109 yards on 24 carries. He led the Cyclones in rushing vs. Oklahoma, churning out 48 yards on eight carries.
The coaching staff felt confident enough in Syria's abilities to pull his redshirt after the third game. Syria became the Cyclones' short-yardage specialist, picking up 47 yards on 20 carries. He scored his first career TD vs. Toledo. A concussion in the second half of the season kept him on the bench for four-straight games in November, however.
A player who has a chance to shine in 2015 is Mike Warren (6-0, 196, Fr.#, Lawton, Okla.), who sat out last season as a redshirt. Warren was the 35th-best running back in the Class of 2014 according to Rivals after a breakout senior year where he ran for 2,512 yards and 26 touchdowns. He was impressive in his only year on the scout team.
Another returner is Justin Webster (6-1, 223, So.#, Houston, Texas).
RHOADS ON THE RUNNING BACKS
“We are really excited about the young talent in this running back position. We realize that a year ago when Mike Warren and Martinez Syria arrived on campus. We were able to gain great development out of those two a year ago. Unfortunately, Syria was forced into action and suffered a concussion, so we didn't get to utilize the snaps we would've liked as we took the redshirt off of him. Tyler Brown now enters his third year in our program and he gives us great speed and playing ability in that position. So we've got three guys right there that can give us one-back material. We've got power in Martinez and we've got speed in all three. Warren is going to be a 200-pound back by the time we get to fall and that size is something that we've lacked in the position. All three are very capable of catching the ball as well.”
Players Mentioned
RB
/ FootballRB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
RB
/ FootballRB
/ Football
RB
/ FootballJaylen Raynor 4_25_26 interview
Saturday, April 25
Zaimir Hawk 4_25_26 interview
Saturday, April 25
Tyler Roehl 2_25_26 interview
Saturday, April 25
Jesse Bobbit 4_25_26 interview
Saturday, April 25
