Sep 7, 2024; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa State Cyclones defensive lineman Domonique Orange (95) sacks Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Cade McNamara (12) during the fourth quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
AMES — When Domonique Orange pops on the football field, he does so with pizzazz, cleaving through would-be blockers to menace quarterbacks and running backs alike.
The now-chiseled 6-4, 325-pound defensive lineman from Kansas City might not tackle them, but they’ll know his name and do anything to avoid his crushing clutches.
So a clear “it” factor surrounds the suddenly-senior Iowa State nose known as “Big Citrus” — and he could have tried to go pro or raise his profile in a SEC or Big Ten program his final college season but chose to stay in Ames.
“I feel like I left some things on the table that I could have done better last year, so me coming back, like I said not too long ago, I’m coming for it all and I’m not here to play no games,” Orange said. “That’s really about it. That’s how I see it.”
That’s exactly what his coaches want to hear, but they need to see more of that “it” factor from Orange — amping up both the quantity and quality of his backfield-bashing journeys. He’s worked hard to take control of his weight and nutrition but establishing the necessary baseline stamina has proved to be an even steeper challenge.
“The mental challenge for him, is he’s gotta work on consistency,” ISU defensive line coach Eli Rasheed said. “HIs body, his recovery, his weight room, his conditioning, repeat. I’ve already told him, ‘Hey, 60 plays, 60 plays, 60 plays.’ Just keep getting in his mind that you have to be out on the field. It’s going to be challenging for him but he understands that challenge. We have to have that guy on the field (to) help us — and he’s got to prove to the National Football League that he can play 60 plays with good grades and not have drop-off.”
When Orange provides glimpses of his potential, they’re often well beyond good. He made a tackle for loss at the goalline in last season’s win at Iowa. He notched a sack in the loss to Arizona State in the Big 12 title game. And he had two tackles and a pass breakup in ISU’s unprecedented 11th win of the season in the Pop-Tarts Bowl win over Miami.
So “Big Citrus” shows up in big moments but must do so much more frequently for a Cyclone defensive line that’s struggled to produce a pass rush since former star defensive end Will McDonald left for the NFL three seasons ago. ISU has ranked 105th or worse in sacks since 2021 and eked out a Big 12-worst 16 quarterback takedowns last season. None of that is Orange’s fault as an interior lineman, but his ability to disrupt and disassemble opposing offensive lines leads to more opportunities to wreak havoc off the edge and via blitz packages.
“His play has got to be good for every game that we’ve got,’’ Rasheed said. “But he understands that some of his first few games that he played (last season) was probably not great video for him and he’s looking to put outstanding video out so his (NFL) stock can go up.”
Orange isn’t merely eyeing the future, however. After helping the Cyclones make history last season, he’s determined to leave a lasting legacy. That starts in his head, then ripples through his body.
“I’ve just gotta have that mindset,” said Orange, the sole returning starter on ISU’s D-line. “I’ve always had the physical ability to do anything I wanted, it’s just at times during a game I had that mindset of not really trusting what I could do with my athletic ability or not. I would say it’s all just a mindset that I have to be great.”
All game, all season. If Orange keeps that mental message in tact — and avoids significant injury — he’ll be a prime determining factor for a Cyclone defense that aims to remain one of the stingiest in the Big 12 for the ninth season in a row despite losing six starters.
“Man, if they have a long drive, can you stay in there seven plays instead of coming out after three?” ISU defensive coordinator Jon Heacock said. “He’s gonna have to do that for us to be good on defense.”
