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Written By
Written By
Written By
The quarterback position belongs to Iowa State transfer Rocco Becht. He is the most experienced quarterback at the FBS level, with 39 career starts, 26 wins, and over 2,500 snaps. He is recovering from offseason surgery to his non-throwing shoulder, but he will be good to go come fall camp.
The running back room loses two of the programs all-time greats but will remain solid. The additions of Carson Hanson (Iowa State) and James Peoples (Ohio State) are huge. Hanson rushed for almost 1,000 yards in Ames last season, while Peoples was stuck in a loaded backfield.
The wide receiver room returns some experience in Koby Howard and tight end Andrew Rappelya. The additions of Keith Jones Jr. (Grambling), Chase Sowell (Iowa State), Brett Eskildsen (Iowa State), Zay Robinson (Iowa State), Karon Brookins (Iowa State), and tight end Benjamin Brahmer (Iowa State), among others, will all be utilized.
The offensive line room returns experience in Anthony Donkoh, Dominic Rulli, Cooper Cousins, and Garrett Sexton. The additions of Hunter Albright (St. Francis), Kuol Kuol II (Iowa State), Brock Riker (Texas State), Trevor Buhr (Iowa State), Will Thompkins (Iowa State), Vaea Ikakouja (Iowa State), and Tyshon Huff (D2 Tiffin) provide solid depth.
The defensive line room returns some experience in Ty Blanding, Yvan Kemajou, Max Granville, and LaVar Arrington II. The additions of Siale Taupaki (UCLA), Dallas Vakalahi (Utah), Armstrong Nnodim (Oklahoma State), Alijah Carnell (Iowa State), Ikenna Exeogu (Iowa State), Keanu Williams (UCLA), and Alexander McPherson (Colorado) form a solid rotation.
The linebacker room returns experience in Tony Rojas and Alex Tatsch. Rojas is returning from an ACL injury that changed the fortunes of last season. The additions of Cael Brezina (Iowa State), Kooper Ebel (Iowa State), Caleb Bacon (Iowa State), John Klosterman (Iowa State), and Chris Fileppo (West Virginia) provide more firepower to this unit.
The secondary returns experience in Zion Tracy, Daryus Dixson, Audavion “AC” Collins, and Vaboue Toure. The additions of Ibn McDaniels (Syracuse), Omarion Davis (Boston College), Hunter Sowell (Iowa State), Marcus Neal Jr. (Iowa State), Jamison Patton (Iowa State), and Jeremiah Cooper (Iowa State) will all see action.
Kicker Ryan Barker returns. He led the FBS in field goal percentage (94.7%) last season. Punting duties will belong to either Mississippi State transfer Nathan Tiyce or true freshman Lucas Tenbrook.
Matt Campbell is building this program for the long haul. Early success would be great, but he is building this the right way. The offense, led by Rocco Becht, will look just like Iowa State. The defense was a major disappointment last season and will improve.
