Spring Preview: The Defensive Line

AMES, Iowa - In today's spring preview we focus on the defensive line. Click on the video link to watch Eli Rasheed's zoom call with the media.

Synopsis
Iowa State's strong defensive line in the last four years is a direct correlation to the vast improvement of the Cyclone defense overall.

From 2013-16, the Cyclone defense never had a season allowing less than 452 yards per game and less than 31 points per game.

Since 2017, ISU's defense has held in check the high-powered Big 12 offenses to less then 370 yards per game and 26 points per game each season.

Iowa State defensive coordinator Jon Heacock has developed a defensive plan other teams have mimicked, and with the ability to limit scoring and yards, the Cyclones have been virtually in every game over the last four seasons.

Iowa State has only been defeated by more than 14 points twice in its last 51 games.

Behind ISU's strong defensive line, the Cyclones were exceptional in 2020. Iowa State was second in the Big 12 in total defense (340.4), ranking 21st nationally. Down the stretch, the Cyclone defense was stifling, allowing just 14.0 points and 312.9 yards of total offense in their last five games.

In the second half of those games, ISU gave up just 16 points, holding all five opponents to under 10 points after intermission.

The bulk of ISU's defensive line will return in 2021. It's only significant loss is JaQuan Bailey, who ended his career as ISU's all-time leader in sacks (25.5) and TFL (44.5). Bailey became the first Cyclone d-lineman to earn All-America honors since 1978 as a First Team All-American by the FWAA.

The loss of Bailey will hurt, but the Cyclones have plenty of experience back, including multiple all-conference performers.

A huge announcement came after the season ended when Enyi Uwazurike (6-6, 310, Sr.#, Detroit, Mich.) decided to return for a "super senior" season.

Uwazurike has been a stalwart on the line for three seasons, starting 33 games while earning Honorable Mention All-Big 12 accolades in 2019 and 2020.

Uwazurike provides flexibility with the capability to play on the inside and outside. He had another fantastic season a year ago, racking up 8.0 TFL, three sacks and three QB hurries. Uwazurike enters his final season as a Cyclone with 102 tackles, 22.5 TFL, six sacks, two fumble recoveries and nine QB hurries in his career.

The loss of three-time All-Big 12 performer Ray Lima was softened in 2020 with the emergence of Isaiah Lee (6-0, 301, Jr.#, Chicago, Ill.).

Lee had a phenomenal season. He started nine out of 10 games played and did all the little things Heacock wants out of his nose guard: plugging gaps and taking on double teams.

The nose guard in ISU's scheme usually doesn't produce gaudy numbers, and that's okay. Lee did finish the season with 12 tackles while earning Honorable Mention All-Big 12 accolades.

Identifying depth at nose will be important this spring. The likely candidate is J.R. Singleton (6-2, 288, Fr.#, Gurnee, Ill.), another Chicago area product the staff is extremely high on.

Singleton did appear in three games in 2020 before securing a redshirt. He was a first-team all-state selection and the 12th-best player out of Illinois after a stellar prep career.

As previously noted, the Cyclones are blessed with a throng of starters back in 2021 to make the squad one of the most experienced in the nation.

However, possibly the most exciting and dangerous player on the Cyclone roster is a defensive end who has yet to start a game in his career.

His name is Will McDonald IV (6-4, 230, Jr.#, Pewaukee, Wis.), and he was a monster a year ago by earning All-Big 12 First Team accolades.

McDonald IV was ISU's third down specialist in 2020 who tied for the nation's lead in sacks with 10.5, breaking ISU's single-season sack record.

McDonald IV has evolved into a fierce pass-rusher, disrupting plays even if he didn't get the sack. He ended the year with 33 tackles and led the team and had the fourth-most TFL (13.5) in the Big 12 in limited snaps.

He also forced two fumbles and recorded a sack in nine of 12 games played. McDonald IV will aim for Bailey's career sack record in 2021. He has 17.5, 8.0 sacks shy of Bailey's mark and already the third-best total in school history.

Zach Petersen (6-5, 267, Sr., Long Grove, Iowa) backed up Bailey on the end in 2020, but was the regular starter at the position in 2019 when Bailey was out with an injury.

Petersen, who has 10 starts in his career, is ready to take over the starting role again in 2021. He has 64 tackles, 7.5 TFL, three sacks and three forced fumbles in his career, and the staff feels McDonald IV and Petersen will be one of the best defensive end tandems in the league.

Backups for McDonald IV and Petersen will come from Tucker Robertson (6-3, 296, Sr.#, Simi Valley, Calif.), Corey Suttle (6-4, 247, So.#, Jefferson City, Mo.), Blake Peterson (6-4, 255, So.#, Beresford, S.D.) and Cordarrius Bailey (6-3, 253, Sr.#, Clarksdale, Miss.).

Robertson has the most experience in the group, racking up 10 tackles in 32 career games played. Suttle and Peterson each played in over half the games a year ago, primarily on special teams, but also seeing snaps from scrimmage.

Bailey has struggled with injuries throughout the majority of his career. Finally healthy, this spring will be important for the senior.

Campbell On The Defensive Line
"We have a lot of guys back, including a guy like Enyi Uwazurike, who has played so much football here and understands the standard of excellence both on and off the field. I think that part is really positive to get him back in our program and have him be a guide for the rest of this group. You look at a guy like Zach Petersen, who has been a model of consistency and then the model of explosiveness has been Will McDonald IV. So, we have a really good mix, and then you talk about some young guys like J.R. Singleton and Isaiah Lee and all that they have shown us. A guy like Tucker Robertson, who has been a model of consistency as well, makes this a really fun group and it will be interesting to see how the competition and how that defensive front continues to mold itself."

Players Mentioned

Cordarrius Bailey

JaQuan Bailey

Isaiah Lee

Ray Lima

Will McDonald IV

Zach Petersen

Blake Peterson

Tucker Robertson

J.R. Singleton

Corey Suttle

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics