AMES — ISU coaches are still high on JUCO transfer defensive end Trent Taylor, but he isn’t slated to start — yet, anyway.
Cyclone coach Paul Rhoads said Monday that Mitchell Meyers, a 6-4, 262-pound sophomore has earned the No. 1 spot at left end.
Cory Morrissey, of course, has locked down the top spot at right end.
“Mitchell Meyers and Cory Morrissey are our ones," Rhoads said. "Trent Taylor’s going to play. Trent Taylor’s a good football player and he’s picking things up and making the transition back to Division I football. Dale Pierson’s probably a little further behind but has shown that he’s playable also. And Darius White is a guy that’s improved going from linebacker to end and now starting to get it and understand it. I think we’ll have five ends that you’ll see on the field in different circumstances.”
One defensive end spot is still in flux as JUCO Gabe Luna is still recovering from a back injury.
He was able to run late last week, but improvement has slowed, Rhoads said.
"He was progressing with rehabilitation," Rhoads said. "We tried to do a little bit more with him as far as skill work today and he didn’t respond very well. Doesn’t mean it’s a decision-maker for us, but, no, he’s not (progressing).”
Rhoads has said repeatedly a decision will be made by the end of camp whether Luna, a junior, will redshirt.
