Iowa State Cyclones defensive line Tyler Onyedim (11) celebrates after a quarterback sack against Texas during the first quarter in the Big-12 football showdown at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Ames, Iowa. © Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK
AMES — Iowa State’s defense ranked among the top three in the Big 12 in almost every significant statistical category last season.
The outlier? Sacks and tackles for loss. The Cyclones ranked 11th and 12th in those areas — a lack of backfield disruption they plan to remedy in 2024.
“We were really young on the (defensive) line a year ago, so we did take a step back,” ISU head coach Matt Campbell said. “But what I saw emerge this offseason is no different than the running backs rooms and some of those other rooms. We got older, we got a little bit more veteran. There was great talent in there (but) it’s that talent beginning to play consistently to its ability.”
The depth is certainly there to aid in that quest for greater consistency, as well. ISU defensive linemen Joey Petersen, Domonique Orange, J.R. Singleton, Trent Jones and Tyler Onyedim have all been solid in run defense and occasionally flash when rushing the quarterback. Younger players up front such as Zaimir Hawk, Samuel Same and Ikenna Ezeogu have impressed Campbell and his staff, too — and the Cyclones added productive edge rusher Kenard Snyder (Lousiana-Monroe) via the transfer portal to amp up the pressure from the outside.
“(He’s) got a chance to be an extremely special football player for us,” Campbell said of Snyder, a junior who totaled 5.5 sacks last season. “He had an incredible spring.”
If that translates into a solid fall, there’s well-founded optimism that ISU’s pass rush can return to the realm of one of the Big 12’s best. The Cyclones could also deploy more four-man fronts in their effort to increase pressure, but only if the situation warrants it.
“That uptick of four down linemen has really grown,” Campbell said. “I would say last year probably 20 percent of our snaps (featured) a four-man front. So the ability to get to that (pressure) in multiple ways — not just always bringing four linemen in; the ability to do that uniquely and differently, I think, is beneficial to us.”
So expect some schematic shifts along with the typical hockey-style line changes up front that defensive line coach Eli Rasheed is known for to both augment pressure and stuff opposing running backs.
“If you’re on the field and you’re tired all the time, you’re not gonna get the best reps,” said Onyedim, who notched two sacks last season. “But when you’re fresh, you’re gonna get the best reps. That’s gonna help us a lot.”
CONFIDENT KONRARDY
ISU redshirt freshman kicker Kyle Konrardy told reporters after the spring game his range extends up to 60 yards.
And little has changed in that regard — even though he hasn’t kicked the football once in a college game.
“I’m feeling (good) about at least 60, mid-60, mid-50, on a guaranteed 50-yarder for sure,” the walk-on from Dubuque said. “60’s probably pushing it a little bit, but still pretty confident.”
Part of that confidence stems from his friendly competition with graduate transfer Chase Conteraz last season. Contreraz drilled 18 of his final 20 field goal attempts last season and converted 21 of 26 tries overall.
“We had a great chemistry,” Konrardy said. “We were always working together. Even though we were in competition, we always saw the success in each other, so we always pushed each other to the top of our game.”
SAFETY VALVES
Three Cyclone safeties — Jeremiah Cooper, Beau Freyler and Malik Verdon — snared a combined 10 of the team’s 16 interceptions last season. Cooper had five, Freyler grabbed three and Verdon clutched two. ISU’s total of 16 tied for 10th nationally, as well.
So has the unit set a numerical goal on picks for this season?
“We haven’t,” said Freyler, who was also ISU’s leading tackler last season. “I’d just say we have a great expectation for ourselves this year.”
