AMES — ISU coach Paul Rhoads is extremely pleased with the spring work of five, count ’em, five cornerbacks.
That skill- and depth-based luxury made possible by the performances by Nigel Tribune, Sam E. Richardson, Brian Peavy, Jomal Wiltz and De’Monte Ruth led to an unforeseen change.
Ken Lynn, who started the last two games at 2014 at corner, is now a wide receiver.
"We’ve just got so many holes with injuries right now, having a fast body out there is good to have," said Rhoads, whose receiving corps features four players who are either out or limited in spring drills. Ken requested the move and we were in favor of it as a staff."
How’s the 5-10, 168-pound senior looking?
"Fast," Rhoads said. "He looks good as a route runner. Hasn’t looked as good as a pass catcher."
Rhoads also said running back Martinez Syria hurt his neck recently in practice and will be withheld the rest of the spring. Syria misses some time as a true freshman last season because of a neck injury.
"He’s got some tingling going on throughout his body and the neurologist wants him to lay low for the rest of spring," Rhoads said. "Rightfully so."
That leaves sophomore Tyler Brown (5-11, 186) and redshirt freshman Mike Warren (6-0, 196) as the only on-campus tailbacks. Only Brown has college carries (24 for 109 yards in 11 games last season).
"That hampers us," Rhoads said. "We’re limited. I’m concerned with that (lack of) depth. There’s no question that the two high school players coming in (Sheldon Roney, Joshua Thomas), we’re going to give them an opportunity to show up and see if they belong on the field. Tyler and Mike are giving us a lot of workload right now. … We’ve got to get both those backs playing with their eyes and heads up as they can bring that power.”
Rhoads said that offensive lineman Ryan Glenn‘s disc issue will force him to miss the entire spring.
He was already among four guys up front who were out or limited for spring ball.
“That doesn’t mean he won’t be ready to go in August," Rhoads said. "You’ve just got to be patient and do everything you can from a rehab standpoint.”
