Cyclones Begin Spring Football

Photo by: KL6PHOTO LLC.

03.04.2022 | Football

AMES, Iowa - It appears to be a transformational season for Iowa State football.

The Cyclones, who qualified for their fifth-straight bowl game and secured a winning record in their fifth consecutive season, both program firsts, must replace a talented group of players heading into 2022.

Iowa State had eight All-Big 12 first-team members in 2021, one shy from its school mark set in 2020, and produced numerous school records on both offense and defense a year ago.

Much of its success the last three seasons was behind the incredible performances of first-team All-Big 12 performers Brock Purdy (QB), Charlie Kolar (TE), Breece Hall (RB), Mike Rose (LB) and Enyi Uwazurike (DE), all players ranked among the greatest at their positions in school history.

Despite these losses, there is plenty of talent remaining, including four players who were 2021 All-Big 12 first-teamers in Trevor Downing (OL), Xavier Hutchinson (WR), Will McDonald IV (DE) and Jared Rus (FB).

A solid core of returners, plus a group of underclassmen who showed flashes of excellence late in the season, will certainly give the Cyclones a chance to continue their success in Matt Campbell's seventh season at the helm.

Campbell also received exciting news in the offseason when players like McDonald IV, Hutchinson, Anthony Johnson Jr., and O'Rien Vance announced they would return for another season in 2022.

"Getting these guys back is really big, but I don't feel like its because of who they are on the football field, it's more how they built their careers here," Campbell said. "They've had to come up on the rough side of the mountain. Nothing has been handed to them, and they've had to earn everything both on and off the field. I don't know if there are four other better examples of guys who know what it means to develop a program. They fight for this program every day and I think everyone can feel the impact it has."

Campbell is excited to see what the next chapter looks like as spring practice begins on March 4 and ends April 15.

New this year are a trio of open practices at area high schools. With the natural grass turf being replaced at both MidAmerican Energy Field at Jack Trice Stadium and the Johnny Majors Practice Complex, the Cyclones needed a place for outdoor work.

The barnstorming act also gives Iowa State a chance to showcase its product to fans in Central Iowa.

"I think the starting point is not having a place to practice outside, with many areas being resurfaced," Campbell said. "But in terms of a young team and its ability to play in different areas and places, I just believe it's good for our team. It's an opportunity for our kids to get out and play in front of people in different environments before we get back into football season. It also provides a way for fans to see these new names and faces."

Quarterbacks
Overview
How do you replace Brock Purdy?

It's a question that must be answered in 2022.

There is no doubt life will be different for the Cyclones without No. 15, the winningest quarterback in school history who set 32 school records while starting the last 46 games.

Purdy was a stabilizing force for the Cyclones the last four years while virtually breaking all of the school's passing records, including career passing yards (12,170) and total offense (13,347), both Top 10 marks in Big 12 history.

The heir apparent to succeed Purdy is Hunter Dekkers (6-3, 235, So.#, Hawarden, Iowa), who spent the last two seasons watching and learning from one of the best.

The staff believes that Dekkers is ready to take over.

Dekkers, who already has playing experience, is a big, strong, gifted athlete with a great arm. He played in four games in 2021, completing 20-of-36 passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 61 yards and two touchdowns on four carries.

The torch has been passed to the lefty and former four-star recruit who was a Top 300 player nationally after an outstanding prep career. He broke Iowa High School career records in passing yardage (10,628) and passing touchdowns (126).

Another redshirt sophomore, Aidan Bouman (6-6, 250, So.#, Buffalo, Minn.), will likely be Dekkers backup in spring ball.

Bouman was also a four-star recruit and member of the ESPN300 out of high school. He recorded 9,578 passing yards, 94 touchdowns and was a two-time all-state selection in his incredible prep career.

ISU's third scholarship quarterback is Rocco Becht (6-1, 195, Fr., Zephyrhills, Fla.). The four-star recruit enrolled early to jumpstart his Cyclone career after throwing for 1,808 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior.

Two preferred walk-ons also give the Cyclones depth in Ashton Cook (6-5, 205, Fr.#, Iowa City, Iowa) and Nate Glantz (6-2, 195, Jr., Omaha, Neb.).

Cook was a two-time all-state selection as a prep who was a solid scout team performer in 2021. Glantz is a junior college transfer from Iowa Western Community College where he had an outstanding career. He was the 2020 NJCAA Offensive Player of the Year and a NJCAA first-team All-American.

Campbell On The Quarterbacks
"For Hunter Dekkers, the opportunity to play critical, meaningful snaps a year ago will be beneficial to his development and growth. It gives him confidence going into spring drills. He was able to study behind a guy like Brock Purdy who helped him with 'what to do' and watched how he paved the way and learned so much from him. There is great competition around that position. Ashton Cook and Aidan Bouman are young guys that we've been impressed by and then we have two newcomers in Rocco Becht and Nate Glantz. Having them here in the spring has been really beneficial. We have a lot of guys willing to compete for reps going forward."

Tight Ends
Overview
The Cyclones have developed their tight end unit into one of the finest nationally in recent years, and the production out of the tight ends in 2021 was no exception.

Campbell has made the tight end position a priority. Last year's tight end group was one of the nation's most prolific, recording 96 catches, 1,125 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

There is no reason things will change in 2022, but there will be big shoes to fill. ISU lost a pair of multi-year All-Big 12 performers in Charlie Kolar and Chase Allen to graduation, two of the best tight ends in school history.

Losing Kolar will be difficult. The three-time All-American set every tight end record in school history and will be catching passes on Sundays in the future.

Competition in the tight end room this spring will be fun to watch, and players with limited targets will have to take the next big step.

The most seasoned veteran is Jared Rus (6-2, 240, Sr.#, Eldridge, Iowa), who has excelled in ISU's F position. Rus' value to the team was recognized by the league's coaches when he was named All-Big 12 first-team at fullback.

The former walk-on is a hard-nosed player and a great blocker. He also caught seven passes for 67 yards a year ago and chances are his role will expand in 2022.

The only other tight end with experience is Easton Dean (6-6, 255, Jr.#, Oswego, Kan.), who has played in 25 games in his career, primarily on special teams.

Dean was recruited to Iowa State as a quarterback, but made the switch to tight end early in his career. He has caught two passes in his career, including an 18-yard grab vs. Kansas last year.

Dean is a likely choice to rise to the top of the depth chart.

Two more players battling for playing time are DeShawn Hanika (6-6, 245, Jr.#, Topeka, Kan.) and Tyler Moore (6-5, 255, Fr.#, Des Moines, Iowa). Hanika is an excellent athlete who begins his third season in the program.

Moore, who redshirted in his first season on campus last year, was a four-star recruit and a first-team all-stater as a prep.

Campbell On The Tight Ends
"We have a first-team all-conference player coming back in Jared Rus. To have a person that has shown consistency to play at an elite level – that's really pivotal. Jared leads the way in terms of mentality and excellence of that group and we've all been excited about Easton Dean. He's been a guy that's played meaningful reps and has the ability to block really well and catch the ball really well. He's now been thrust into an opportunity for a bigger role. Tyler Moore is a young man as a true freshman who had rave reviews from our coaching staff in his first year here. DeShawn Hanika is another guy that showed ability when he came in at a critical point last year when Jared got injured against West Virginia. He played really well for us. There is excitement around that group. We think it's a talented group. It's experience and how they develop that will define that group."

Running Backs
Overview
Like the quarterback and tight end units, when you lose one of the greatest players to ever play running back, there's going to be a big transition.

Of course that player is two-time All-American Breece Hall, who raised the standard of excellence for Cyclone ballcarriers another notch in his incredible three-year career.

Hall, who broke or tied 11 school records, announced his intentions to forgo his final season of eligibility and enter 2022 NFL after the regular season ended. The two-time Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year led the Big 12 in rushing the last two seasons and broke an NCAA FBS record by rushing for a touchdown in 24 consecutive games.

Losing Hall's production will be tough to replace, but the Cyclones have a number of players who are ready to step up.

Jirehl Brock (6-0, 215, Jr.#, Quincy, Ill.) has already proven he's a strong candidate by earning the start and leading the team in rushing (42 yards) vs. Clemson in the Cheez-It Bowl. He also had three catches for 21 yards in the contest.

Brock, who played behind Hall the last two seasons, recorded 174 rushing yards and averaged 4.7 yards per carry in 2021. He scored his first career rushing touchdown on a 40-yard run vs. TCU and ended the year with seven catches for 43 yards.

Brock has a head start over the competition that includes returnees Deon Silas (5-8, 185, So., Memphis, Tenn.) and Eli Sanders (6-0, 195, Fr.#, Oceanside, Calif.).

Silas showed promise last year in a limited role. He burned a redshirt by playing in five games, including carrying the ball twice for 10 yards in the Cheez-It Bowl vs. Clemson.

Silas finished the season with 13 carries for 75 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Sanders redshirted while seeing action in four games. The four-star recruit, who was ranked as a Top 35 running back nationally in the Class of 2021, had nine carries for 29 yards and three catches for 41 yards in 2021.

Both Silas and Sanders give the Cyclones much-needed depth at running back.

Cartevious Norton (5-11, 210, Fr., Waycross, Ga.) is an early enrollee who will get valuable reps this spring. Norton rushed for 1,266 yards, 16 touchdowns and led his team to a 9-2 record in the fall.

Campbell On The Running Backs
"I would say this group will be highly competitive, but Jirehl Brock will probably get a lot of use just knowing that he's a guy who played meaningful, critical reps and has had success. Jirehl had to work through some failures at times but he's really showed us he can play at a high level. Underneath him, Eli Sanders and Deon Silas were true freshmen last year who have outstanding ability and who will continue to learn to be consistent. They both bring quality assets to the football team and it's a matter if they can be consistent enough to carry that into game action. All of those guys have that ability."

Wide Receivers
Overview
The Cyclones received an unexpected boost in December when Xavier Hutchinson (6-3, 210, Sr.#, Jacksonville, Fla.) decided to return for his extra year of eligibility.

With Hutchinson's return, the Cyclones have a two-time All-Big 12 firstteam receiver with the ability to take over games.

Hutchinson led the Big 12 in receptions (83) for the second-straight season in 2021, breaking ISU's single-season school record along the way. He also recorded 987 receiving yards, the sixth-best season total in school history, and had five touchdown catches.

Hutchinson has great hands and can get open. He recorded four 100-yard receiving games and two 10+ receptions games in 2021. His 147 catches since 2020 ranks as the fifth-most nationally in that span.

With Hutchinson the undisputed leader of the receiving corps, the Cyclones will also look to the future in Jaylin Noel (5-10, 185, So., Kansas City, Mo.), who recorded one of the finest rookie seasons in school history in 2021.

Noel's 39 receptions a year ago ranked third on ISU's rookie list and his 269 receiving yards was the ninth-best total in school history by a Cyclone freshman.

Noel, who recorded the eighth-best season kickoff return average (26.00) in school history, appears to have locked down the slot position.

Iowa State also returns Sean Shaw Jr. (6-6, 220, Sr.#, Jones, Okla.), Darren Wilson Jr. (6-3, 210, So.#, Alpharetta, Ga.) and Daniel Jackson (6-2, 220, So.#, Cibolo, Texas), all players with experience.

Shaw Jr., who was slowed by a preseason injury in 2021, has 45 catches, 527 receiving yards and seven touchdown catches in his career.

Shaw Jr., is a big target at 6-6 and is getting back to full strength. In 2020, he had 21 catches for 212 yards, and the Cyclone staff is excited to see him healthy in 2022.

Wilson Jr., started six games in 2021, catching 11 passes for 110 yards. He is another senior with experience to watch this spring.

More players with limited experience return in Aidan Bitter (6-2, 190, So.#, Tampa, Fla.) and Tristan Michaud (6-6, 205, Fr.#, Quebec City, Quebec).

Bitter has just one reception in his career and will look to find a spot in the two-deep.

A true freshman early enrollee to keep an eye on is Greg Gaines III (6-2, 185, Fr., Tampa, Fla.). Gaines III was a Top 35 receiver nationally in the 2022 class after recording 63 receptions for 830 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior.

Campbell On The Wide Receivers
"It's really big for our program when you talk about Xavier Hutchinson and Jaylin Noel returning. The level of consistency that they've already been able to show week-in-and-week-out, I think that's where you mention words like greatness. We look at, can you play at a high level of consistency and show the ability to do it? Sean Shaw Jr., has never had an offseason where he was healthy. This spring is the first time in his career that he's been healthy in the offseason. I think we've all been excited for Sean and he has shown flashes of excellence. Can we find sustainable excellence in his game? We will find out. Daniel Jackson is in the same boat. We have young talent we are really excited about in Tristan Michaud and Aidan Bitter, and Darren Wilson Jr. is coming back for his senior year. Darren has done great things for us. Greg Gaines III is a true freshman that is here and ready to go. There is a lot of competition and a lot of excitement in this group. They've made strides over the last year. Can we take another step this fall? That's going to be a great challenge for this group."

Offensive Line
Overview
The Cyclone offensive line will be one of ISU's most experienced units in 2022, returning four players who have over seven starts in their career.

The Cyclones will have to replace All-Big 12 center Colin Newell, who was a three-year starter, and All-Big 12 performer Derek Schweiger, a two-year starter.

Newell missed the Cheez-It Bowl with an injury. Four of ISU's five starters in the bowl game return, which bodes well for the Cyclone fortunes in 2022.

The Cyclone offense has produced many of the best averages in school history over the past few seasons, including the fourth-best scoring clip (31.3) in 2021.

The improvement of the offensive line, which was honored as one of 11 finalists for the 2020 Joe Moore Award, has played an important role in ISU's offensive fortunes.

A big key returner is senior Trevor Downing (6-4, 310, Sr.#, Creston, Iowa), who enters his third season as a starter in 2022. A 2019 freshman All-American, Downing suffered a season-ending injury in the opener of the 2020 campaign.

A healthy Downing in 2021 was instrumental to ISU's success, as the offense ranked second nationally in red zone efficiency and tallied over 200 rushing yards in five of nine league contests.

Downing earned All-Big 12 first-team accolades while starting all 13 games. He was at right guard throughout the regular season, but moved over to center in Newell's absence in the Cheez-It Bowl.

It's likely Downing will switch to center for his final season.

Darrell Simmons Jr., (6-3, 315, Jr.#, Belleville, Ill.) is another seasoned veteran back in the trenches. A 2020 freshman All-American, Simmons Jr., will enter his third season in the starting lineup in 2022.

Simmons Jr., has started 24 consecutive games for the Cyclones. He was the left guard in the first 12 games, but switched to right guard for the bowl game and could possibly stay there in 2022.

Jarrod Hufford (6-5, 310, Jr.#, Newark, Ohio) replaced Sean Foster at left tackle in the sixth game of the 2021 season and held the spot for the rest of the regular season.

A natural guard, Hufford was the starter at left guard in the Cheez-It Bowl and will be the top contender at the spot heading into spring practice.

With the middle of the Cyclone line solidified, the staff hopes a pair of veterans will take over the two tackle spots in Jake Remsburg (6-6, 330, Jr.#, West Des Moines, Iowa) and Tyler Miller (6-9, 320, So.#, Scranton, Iowa).

Remsburg showed promise in his redshirt freshman season in 2020 by starting seven games at right tackle.

However, a late-season shoulder injury kept him out of the bowl game and hampered his development last season. He primarily played on special teams in 2021, but has made great strides in his recovery and will be a prime candidate at right tackle in 2022.

Miller is an intriguing prospect. One of the tallest players in Cyclone football history at 6-9, Miller played in just four games in his redshirt freshman season a year ago.

With a line reshuffle for the Cheez-It Bowl, Miller saw his first considerable action by starting at left tackle vs. Clemson in the bowl game. He held his own and the staff is excited to see his development on the left end in 2022.

Filling out the two-deep on the line will be top priority this spring. Players like Anthony Smith (6-3, 295, So.#, Lakeland, Fla.), Brady Petersen (6-5, 290, So.#, Ankeny, Iowa), Hayden Pauls (6-5, 305, So.#, Emporia, Kan.), Zach Ross (6-2, 310, Sr.#, West Des Moines, Iowa), Sam Rengert (6-7, 315, So.#, Milford Center, Ohio) and Grant Treiber (6-6, 320, Jr.#, Sioux Falls, S.D.) are strong candidates to appear on the two-deep.

Of the five listed above, only Ross appeared in a game in 2021.

Three players coming out of redshirt: Tyler Maro (6-7, 260, Fr.#, Davenport, Iowa), Jim Bonifas (6-5, 280, Fr.#, Dubuque, Iowa) and Dodge Sauser (6-5, 300, Fr.#, Grinnell, Iowa) will also get valuable reps in the spring, as weill James Neal (6-5, 290, So., Grayson, Ga.), who is in his first semester on campus after playing at Independence CC in 2021.

Campbell On The Offensive Line
"We have a lot of guys back. A lot of talent, yet a group coming off of a year where we were going through injuries and inconsistency in my opinion. This is a group that has the talent to be really special, but has yet to put it all together. Trevor Downing has steadily been one of the best players in our program the last three years and has high potential. To rally around that guy is really big. We also have guys like Darrell Simmons Jr. and Jarrod Hufford with outstanding experience. Tyler Miller also has experience. Jake Remsburg has not been healthy the last year and a half and to be able to get him back to full strength will be big for our team. Grant Treiber, whose paid his dues, and Zach Ross, we are both excited about. We have a newcomer in James Neal who has already had impressive moments, so there are a lot of guys who are biting for an opportunity. From a talent and health standpoint, we're the best we've probably ever been since I've been here. I'm excited about what this group can become."

Defensive Line
Overview
Iowa State's strong defensive line the last five years is a direct correlation to the vast improvement of the Cyclone defense overall.

From 2013-17, 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 five seasons.

Iowa State has only been defeated by more than 14 points twice in its last 64 games.

Behind ISU's strong defensive line, the Cyclones were exceptional in 2021. ISU was second in the Big 12 in total defense (310.5), ranking ninth nationally while producing lowest season average since 1984.

ISU held 11 of 13 opponents to under 350 yards of total offense in 2021 and allowed on average 9.1 points after intermission.

The bulk of ISU's defensive line will return in 2021. The only significant losses were Enyi Uwazurike and Zach Petersen, who were both multi-year starters.

The loss of Uwazurike, who was an All-Big 12 selection in 2021 after ranking fourth in the league in sacks (9.0) will hurt, but the Cyclones have plenty of experience back, including one of the nation's top pass-rushers in Will McDonald IV (6-4, 245, Sr.#, Pewaukee, Wis.).

A huge announcement came after the season ended when McDonald IV decided to return. A two-time All-Big 12 first-teamer and FWAA first-team All-American in 2021, McDonald IV has an outstanding chance to become the Big 12's all-time career sack leader. He has 29.0 sacks in his career, the most in Cyclone history and just five shy from the league record.

McDonald IV led the Big 12 in sacks for the second season in a row in 2021, registering 11.5 to break his own single-season ISU sack mark. He also had 14.0 TFL and was fifth nationally in forced fumbles (5).

McDonald IV has evolved into a fierce pass-rusher, disrupting plays even if he didn't get the sack. His 22.0 sacks since 2020 is the second-most nationally during that span.

More good news for the Cyclone defensive front is the return of nose guards Isaiah Lee (6-0, 305, Sr.#, Chicago, Ill.) and J.R. Singleton (6-2, 295, So.#, Gurnee, Ill.).

Lee, who was an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection in 2020, had another solid season in 2021. He started two games, racking up 21 tackles, 5.5 TFL and 1.5 sacks.

Lee has 33 tackles and 11 starts in his career and will be a key player for the Cyclone defense in 2022.

Singleton started the first game of the season before suffering an injury that kept him sidelined for awhile. He bounced back as a valuable reserve behind Lee, tallying 12 tackles and 2.0 TFL in 11 games played.

Blake Peterson (6-4, 270, Jr.#, Beresford, S.D.), a defensive end, is the only other down lineman with experience returning. Peterson showed promise as a reserve last season, registering six tackles and a pair of sacks in 2021.

Joey Petersen (6-4, 215, So., Long Grove, Iowa), the brother of former defensive line standout Zach Petersen, burned a redshirt as a true freshman as a valuable member of ISU's special teams units. He will look to work his way into scrimmage snaps in his second year in the program.

Two linemen - Tyler Onyedim (6-4, 290, Fr.#, Richmond, Texas) and Jayden Gray (6-3, 240, Fr.#, Haslet, Texas) - who are coming out of redshirts have a chance to see significant playing time in 2022.

Onyedim had four tackles in two games played last year before securing a redshirt. He was a Top 75 player nationally in the Class of 2021 after registering 63 tackles, 21.0 TFL and 12 sacks as a prep senior.

Gray was one of the best defensive linemen in Texas after recording 72 tackles, 10.0 TFL and five sacks as a senior.

The Cyclones added a transfer from Minnesota in MJ Anderson (6-3, 275, Jr.#, St. Louis, Mo.), who enrolled and ready for spring ball.

Anderson played in 15 games in his Gopher career, including 10 games in 2021, registering seven tackles, a sack, two pass breakups and two QB hurries.

Anderson's presence will definitely add quality depth to the front.

Another player to watch is Howard Brown (6-2, 325, Fr.#, Kansas City, Mo.), who is also coming out of a redshirt.

Brown actually played quarterback in high school and spent the last season learning an entirely new position. With his size and athleticism, he has unlimited potential as he gains more experience.

True freshman Domonique Orange (6-4, 320, Fr., Kansas City, Mo.) is a mid-year enrollee who has already impressed the staff. Orange was a four-star recruit and the 15th-best defensive tackle nationally by Rivals. The two-time all-stater was a Buck Buchanan Award finalist as a senior for Kansas City's top prep lineman or linebacker honor.

Campbell On The Defensive Line
"There is so much flexibility with this group. A lot of talent, a lot of guys that have played really good football and guys that can go inside and outside. Will McDonald IV is the key name when you talk about consistent production. Isaiah Lee played superb in the last seven games of the season. He really improved his production. Being able to play Blake Peterson a year ago and the role he stepped into was huge. J.R. Singleton has a chance to be one of those special players in our football program and Joey Petersen is getting a great opportunity to play. Then you talk about some new pieces like MJ Anderson, who has played and has huge experience in reps. He bring us some length and consistency into the line position. Some young guys who are ready to take the next step -- Tyler Onyedim, Jayden Gray, Howard Brown -- we are really excited for them. A young guy whose made a huge impact already is Domonique Orange. He is a defensive lineman who is really special in our football program as well."

Linebackers
Overview
Tyson Veidt's work with ISU's linebackers has been a consistent force to the Cyclones' recent success, producing a number of all-conference performers and a pair of All-Americans in his tenure.

This spring will be unique for Veidt and the linebacker unit because of the loss of two outstanding four-year standouts in Mike Rose and Jake Hummel.

Rose was an All-American and a two-time All-Big 12 first-teamer who started 49 games and had the second-most TFL in school history (41). Hummel was a two-year All-Big 12 performer who played in the most career games in school history (63).

Rose and Hummel had significant impacts, but the unit is blessed with the return of O'Rien Vance (6-2, 255, Sr.#, Cedar Rapids, Iowa) and Gerry Vaughn (5-11, 235, Sr.#, Atlanta, Ga.).

Vance, who has 32 starts in his career, announced post-season he will take his extra year of eligibility. His return will solidify the Mike position, as the "Super Senior" heads into his final season with 194 tackles, 22.0 TFL, 10 sacks and four fumble recoveries in his career.

An honorable mention All-Big 12 selection in 2019, Vance struggled with injuries in 2021 and is getting back to full health.

Vaughn has improved every year as a Cyclone and saw his most significant playing time in 2021, starting six games and registering 45 tackles.

Vaughn also had 5.5 TFL a year ago and will be the prime candidate to start at the Will spot.

A huge pickup in the offseason was the acquisition of Colby Reeder (6-3, 235, Sr.#, Hockessin, Del.) from the transfer portal.

Reeder played in 35 games in his career at Delaware, earning All-CAA honors in 2021 despite missing three games. He recorded 55 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks last year and was the league's defensive newcomer of the year in 2017 when he had 49 tackles and 8.0 TFL.

With his experience, Reeder will have a leg up in the competition for the Sam position.

Hunter Zenzen (6-2, 240, So.#, Barnesville, Minn.) is the only other linebacker who has game experience.

Zenzen played in all 13 games last year, primarily on special teams, but he was called on late in the season in a reserve role at linebacker.

Another intriguing addition to the squad is Jacob Ellis (6-1, 215, So., Roseville, Calif.). Ellis signed with the Cyclones in December after one outstanding season at Iowa Western Community College.

Ellis was the 2021 NJCAA Co-Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-American after leading his team with 77 tackles, 8.0 TFL and five interceptions.

Getting Ellis for the spring will no doubt help bolster the unit.

Three guys coming out of redshirt - Carston Marshall (6-3, 205, Fr.#, Wadsworth, Ohio), Myles Mendeszoon (6-4, 200, Fr.#, Chardon, Ohio) and Aidan Ralph (6-3, 215, Fr.#, Chicago, Ill.) - will have a chance to prove to the coaches they are ready this spring.

Marshall was a two-time all-conference selection as a prep and Mendeszoon played in four games last season before saving his redshirt.

Ralph was one of the top linebackers out of Chicago area in his prep career.

Campbell On The Linebackers
"This is the best this group has been from top to bottom since I've been here. O'Rien Vance may be one of the best leaders we've had overall in our football program from the time he's been here. What he has become, who he is, what he stands for, he's been phenomenal. Gerry Vaughn is one of those guys, too. He led our special teams when he first got here. He has a high IQ and we're really excited for him. The ability to get two transfers in here is huge. Colby Reeder we feel is maybe one of the most talented players we've had the ability to coach at the linebacker position. Jacob Ellis is another highly talented football player that will certainly bring depth. Hunter Zenzen has been aiming for his opportunity to get in. Carston Marshall, who got injured a year ago, is a redshirt freshman who probably would've played last year had he not gotten injured. Cole Pedersen is coming off a year of injuries last year. Myles Mendeszoon, who played on all the special teams, Aidan Ralph, Jacob Imming, Will McLaughlin and Carson Willich – there's a lot of depth and opportunity for those guys. It will probably be the most competitive position group that we've had."

Defensive Backs
Overview
Despite losing three starters in the secondary, there is an optimistic vibe in the defensive back room heading into spring practice.

Veterans like Greg Eisworth II, who was a three-time All-Big 12 first-teamer, Isheem Young and Datrone Young are gone, but the cupboard is still full with plenty of experience returning.

The big returnee is Anthony Johnson Jr. (6-0, 200, Sr.#, St. Petersburg, Fla.), who decided to come back for his "Super Senior" season. A four-year starter and three-time All-Big 12 performer, Johnson Jr., is the most experienced player on the Cyclone roster with 42 career starts.

Johnson Jr., has been ISU's lockdown corner during his career, registering 183 tackles, 13.0 TFL and 24 pass breakups in his outstanding career. He had 55 tackles and two forced fumbles last year.

The coaching staff will give Johnson Jr., the opportunity to switch to safety during spring drills. At either position, Johnson Jr., will be a leader of the Cyclone defense.

Beau Freyler (6-2, 205, So., Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Craig McDonald (6-3, 210, So.#, Minneapolis, Minn.) are strong candidates to take over spots at the back and middle safety positions, respectively.

Freyler was one of ISU's rookie success stories in 2021, registering 41 tackles while competing in all 13 games as a true freshman.

Freyler saw his reps increase as the season went along and earned his first career start vs. Clemson in the Cheez-It Bowl. His performance in the bowl game went down in history, tallying a game-high 15 tackles, the third-most ever by a Cyclone in a bowl game.

Freyler appears to be a staple in the Cyclone secondary for multiple seasons.

McDonald also took advantage of his first year of quality snaps, tallying 41 tackles and tying for the team lead with two interceptions in 2021.

McDonald started three games, including the final two, and had his biggest game at Oklahoma when he registered a career-high 10 tackles and a pick.

Players to fill out the depth chart at safety will likely consist of Mason Chambers (6-3, 205, Jr., Schertz, Texas), Jordyn Morgan (6-0, 190, So.#, Universal City, Texas) and Malik Verdon (6-4, 215, Fr.#, Hamilton, Ohio).

Chambers has played in 14 games in his career, primarily on special teams. As a true freshman in 2020, he filled in late in the season in the secondary as a reserve.

Morgan played in 12 games and registered four tackles in his redshirt season a year ago and Verdon is coming off a redshirt. Both will compete for spots this spring.

Iowa State has four players competing for playing time at cornerback heading into spring drills in T.J. Tampa (6-2, 190, Jr., St. Petersburg, Fla.), Tayvonn Kyle (5-11, 180, Sr.#, Valdosta, Ga.), Myles Purchase (5-11, 190, So., Denver, Colo.) and D.J. Miller Jr. (5-11, 190, Sr., O'Fallon, Mo.).

Tampa played in nine games as a true freshman in 2020 and took over the starting job at right corner for five games in the middle of the 2021 season.

An explosive athlete, Tampa tallied 18 tackles and had three pass break ups in 2021. Although his reps diminished later in the year, the staff feels confident that Tampa can take another step in his progression next year.

Kyle has a ton of experience, playing in 30 games and starting 10 in his career. He will enter his senior season with 60 tackles, 6.0 TFL and seven pass breakups in his career.

Purchase, like Freyler, proved he will be strong contributor for several years after an outstanding true freshman season in 2021 where he played in all 13 games. He tallied 14 tackles and had a career-high five stops vs. TCU.

Purchase received his first career start in the Cheez-It Bowl vs. Clemson.

A shoulder injury shut down Miller Jr.'s season last year, but the senior has 18 tackles in 28 career games played.

Darien Porter (6-4, 185, Jr.#, Bettendorf, Iowa), who was a receiver in his first three seasons, is making the switch to defense and will see reps at cornerback this spring.

Campbell On The Defensive Backs
"When you look at this safety group, you have three starters coming back. Craig McDonald started the last six games of the season and was phenomenal as a redshirt freshman a year ago. Beau Freyler, I don't know if there could have been a more consistent football player on defense and on special teams for us in 2021. With Anthony Johnson Jr. moving from corner to safety, that's really exciting for us. Malik Verdon may be as talented as a freshman on our roster. Michal Antoine Jr. has high potential with his move from corner to safety. He is a guy that played outstanding on special teams a year ago for us. Having Jordyn Morgan and Mason Chambers back, and Trevon Howard coming in is good for us. You talk about Myles Purchase the last four games a year ago, he played against great opponents, got the opportunity to start and he ran with it. He is highly competitive and is a really tough football player. T.J. Tampa started seven games last year. He maybe as talented as anybody on our roster in terms of his ability. Tayvonn Kyle is coming back for his senior year. He's a phenomenal football player who started a ton of games for us. D.J. Miller Jr., who got hurt and had surgery last season, is back for us in the corner spots. We moved Darien Porter from receiver to corner. He has been as good of a special teams player we've had. He's a long, physical football player and a guy who can really help us in that position too. It's going to be really fun to watch that group compete."

Specialists
Overview
Iowa State returns its long snappers - Koby Hathcock (5-10, 215, Jr., Mesa, Ariz.) and Connor Guess (5-11, 215, Sr.#, Van Meter, Iowa) - and its holder - Blake Clark (6-2, 210, Sr.#, West Des Moines, Iowa) - but will have a fierce competition replacing Andrew Mevis, Connor Assalley and Corey Dunn, who handled placekicking, kickoff and punting duties in 2021.

The placekicking spot is up for grabs. ISU returns the following players - Tyler Bittman (6-2, 195, Fr.#, Hartland, Wis.), Drake Nettles (5-11, 190, Jr.#, Council Bluffs, Iowa), Trent McCann (6-1, 185, So.#, Centerville, Iowa) and Keegan Shackford (5-10, 175, Fr.#, Ashburn, Va.) - but none have a single attempt to their name.

The only experienced player is Nettles, who kicked off during the 2020 season.

ISU did sign a placekicker in the Class of 2022 (Jace Gilbert), but he won't arrive until June.

Cameron Shook (6-3, 195, Sr.#, Grosse Pointe, Mich.) is the only experienced punter returning. Shook punted six times in 2021, averaging 36.7 yards with a long of 49 yards.

A mid-year enrollee, Ben Garbarini (6-0, 180, Sr.#, Bedford, Va.), is another option at punter. Garbarini transferred from Christopher Newport College, and as a junior in 2019, was an all-conference performer, averaging 42.2 yards per punt to rank 10th in Division III.

Tyler Perkins, who will be on scholarship after signing a letter of intent in December, will also join the team in June.

Campbell On The Special Teams
"We feel like there are some guys willing to challenge at these positions with the ability to be the starter for next year. We still have our long snappers and our holder back. Blake Clark (holder) is a key component to our football team. Keegan Shackford and Drake Nettles in terms of the placekicker, they may have two of the strongest legs in our program since we've been here. Really excited about those guys. With the punting situation, we've had a transfer come in (Ben Garbarini) who was one of the top punters in Division III. He's already made a huge impressions on us in his work ethic and character. Cameron Shook played a year ago so there's experience. Obviously replacing a guy like Andrew Mevis is not going to be easy. We have a chance to be as deep and talented as we've been, however."