Dec 29, 2021; Orlando, Florida, USA; Iowa State Cyclones running back Jirehl Brock (21) carries the ball against the Clemson Tigers during the first half of the 2021 Cheez-It Bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Jirehl Brock‘s wait is almost over.
The redshirt junior tailback has experienced a lot during his career in Ames, but on Saturday when Southeast Missouri State rolls into Jack Trice Stadium for the season opener, he’ll be doing one thing for the first time.
After a fall camp position battle with a trio of intriguing youngsters, the Illinois native will take the field in Ames as the program’s starting running back.
“Really since January, he has been incredible,” Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell said of Brock during his weekly press conference on Tuesday. “Everything you would have asked of him, he has done in terms of, man, his preparation. You look at him physically, right now, he’s 223 pounds, he’s running as good as I’ve ever seen him run. He’s been phenomenal as a leader.”
That note on Brock’s leadership stands out, especially considering the circumstances surrounding Iowa State’s running back room during fall camp.
Sophomore Deon Silas and redshirt freshman Eli Sanders have come on strong as guys deserving playing time in their second year with the program. True freshman Cartevious Norton and his tough, physical running style have drawn the most significant buzz over the last several months.
Still, Brock is the unquestioned leader of the running back, and the guy who can be expected to get the Cyclones’ first carry of the 2022 season.
“There’s great competition for the tailback position right now and I think we’re as healthy there as we’ve ever been,” Campbell said. “Sometimes you can shy away as the leader and try to kind of distance yourself, but he hasn’t. He’s kind of made others around him better. I think he’s helped that room be what I think it has the ability to become, and his leadership has been outstanding.”
While the position as starting running back will be new to Brock, carrying the football for the Cyclones will not be. He’s already toted the ball 59 times for 268 yards and a touchdown during his Iowa State career while also catching 11 passes for 75 yards and a touchdown.
Saturday afternoon will technically be his third start in an Iowa State uniform, according to the Iowa State game notes, but one of those came after Breece Hall opted out of last season’s Cheez-It Bowl and the other did not come inside Jack Trice Stadium.
This is most certainly an experienced player who understands what it means when the lights are on and everyone is watching your every move.
But, we’ve never seen Brock have the opportunity to be the Cyclones’ bell-cow back, and for obvious reasons when you consider he was battling for playing time with Hall, arguably the best running back in college football over the last two years.
Now, it will be Brock’s turn to shine and put his skillset on display.
“Everything that he’s done has been the for the betterment, obviously, of Jirehl, but for the betterment of the team in that running back room,” Campbell said. “There’s no question, he’s the guy. He’s put himself in a great position to be the guy. We’re also in a great position to have a lot of guys that have opportunities at their point in time within the game to be the guy for us as well.”
