Spring Outlook: The Defensive Tackles

AMES, Iowa - Spring football practice begins on March 8 and Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell will get his first chance to work with his players in preparation for the 2016 season. Campbell sat down with Cyclones.com to preview each position. Today we look at the defensive tackles.

Synopsis
All indications show that Iowa State will likely move back to a four-man front after experimenting with a 3-4 defense in 2015.

The linchpin of the Cyclone defensive interior will be senior Demond Tucker (6-0, 296, Sr.#, Hazelhurst, Miss.), a man who lived up to all of the hype and expectations thrown at him in his first year as a Cyclone in 2015.

Tucker was a force in the middle, earning Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year honors and second-team All-Big 12 accolades by the AP. Tucker started 11 games, leading the team with 13.0 TFL, second among all Big 12 interior defensive lineman and ninth overall in the league. He also had six sacks.

Tucker has a chance to be one of the top defensive lineman in the Big 12 again in 2016.

Tucker will have help from Vernell Trent (6-3, 280, Jr.#, Jacksonville, Fla.), Pierre Aka (6-4, 293, Sr.#, Indianapolis, Ind.) and Bobby Leath (6-3, 310, Sr., Lake Wales, Fla.).

Trent has started four games in his career, including one in 2015. Trent had eight tackles while playing in all 12 games last season. Aka was possibly the most improved player on the defensive line in 2015. The senior had 20 tackles in 10 games played.

Leath was slowed by injuries during his initial season at ISU after transferring from a junior college. Leath played in 10 games as a reserve in 2015. With a season under his belt, defensive line coach Eli Rasheed is hoping Leath makes a jump in productivity in his final season.

Robby Garcia (6-4, 283, Jr.#, Tampa, Fla.) and Terry Ayeni (6-2, 270, Sr.#, Toronto, Ontario) will also provide depth up front for the Cyclones. Garcia played in all 12 games as redshirt freshman (2014) but saw limited action in 2015.

Campbell On The Defensive Tackles
“I think where I see the most depth, but also the most competition, is the interior of our defensive front. That excites us. I think everything starts with Demond Tucker. With Tucker, I think the biggest challenge for him is, 'how good do you want to be?' Last year he came onto the scene and now it's a matter of how good do you want to be? How bad do you want to take your craft to the next level? Another thing I have really seen from him (Tucker) is that he has been very willing. Willing to get better day in and day out. He has a great work ethic. I'm excited what he brings to the table. Vernell Trent is a young man we are all excited about. When you look at the tape from last year, he did some really positive things. I can see him as a three-technique or a shade inside guy. Robby Garcia is coming back off an injury. He has been a 'wow' guy in my opinion as I've watched him through the winter workouts. He has the ability to go in there and compete. Pierre Aka has been injured a little bit but I know he has played football here. I'm excited to see him get healthy and go inside and compete. Bobby Leath is another guy that has a twitch to go in there and play. You are looking for depth and competition and you have to show up to get reps. That group right there are guys that can play.”

Spring Outlook: The Defensive Tackles

Players Mentioned

Pierre Aka

Robby Garcia

Bobby Leath

Vernell Trent

Demond Tucker

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Spring Outlook: The Defensive Tackles

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Players Mentioned

Pierre Aka

Robby Garcia

Bobby Leath

Vernell Trent

Demond Tucker

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