Nov 4, 2017; Morgantown, WV, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach Matt Campbell talks with quarterback Kyle Kempt (17) during the third quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Alright, game week is officially getting real.
Iowa State released its depth chart for Saturday night’s season-opener against South Dakota State (7 p.m. on Cyclones.tv) on Monday. There aren’t really any crazy things to note, but I’ll throw a few thoughts down below.
Iowa State depth chart for week one. #Cyclones pic.twitter.com/Tw3D8iyiyt
— Chris Williams (@ChrisMWilliams) August 27, 2018
*** First of all, there has not been a decision made as to who will be the starter at mike linebacker. I wrote here about what Matt Campbell said about this position battle on Monday morning’s Big 12 teleconference.
*** The other three-man position battle is at kicker, where Connor Assalley, Chris Francis and true freshman Brayden Narveson continue to compete for the job. That is honestly a little surprising to me as special teams coordinator Joe Houston said there would be a decision by game week.
*** Chase Allen appears to have distanced himself as the team’s top option at tight end. He was listed with an “or” by his name alongside Charlie Kolar and Dylan Soehner prior to fall camp. Doesn’t matter much though. They will all play a lot.
*** DeShaunte Jones and Tarique Milton appear to be locked squarely in a battle at the m-receiver spot, which aligns with a lot of the stuff we’ve been hearing in recent weeks. It sounds like Milton is a stud and has pushed Jones pretty dang hard for playing time.
*** The same two guys are listed as the top options at punt returner. I would guess we will see both of them back there at some point on Saturday night.
*** Five true freshmen are listed on the two-deep: Joey Ramos (left tackle), Trevor Downing (right tackle), Isaiah Lee (nose guard), Mike Rose (mike linebacker) and Brayden Narveson (kicker).
