Iowa Western DE Blake Hawkins commits to Iowa State

[JakeBrend]

Iowa Western defensive end Blake Hawkins becomes the latest defensive lineman to commit to Jesse Bobbit's defense at Iowa State.

The 6'4, 240 pound EDGE recorded 13 sacks and 23.5 TFL as a redshirt freshman for the Reivers in 2025.The JUCO product from Gretna, NE has three years of eligibility remaining. https://cyclonefanatic.com/2026/01/iowa-western-de-blake-hawkins-commits-to-iowa-state/

 

[ItsCyence]

Matt Ruhle might be disappointed to learn that this staff knows how to recruit Nebraska guys too

 

[cymac2408]

How are we getting so many defensive linemen commits when I heard we couldn’t? Why is this coaching staff seeing the need and addressing it? Or could it be that it is easier to recruit when a 4 man front is schemed as opposed to a 3 man front.

 

[GetAwesome]

Welcome to Ames, Buhlakay!

That said, seriously, is there truth we're going to a 6 or 7 man defensive front? Where the hell is Jimmy puttin' all these dudes?

 

[Steve]

Welcome to Ames, Buhlakay!

That said, seriously, is there truth we're going to a 6 or 7 man defensive front? Where the hell is Jimmy puttin' all these dudes?

There are a lot of roles to fill and all are valuable. A combination of every down guys, fresh rotation depth, and a pin your ears back 3rd and long package.

 

[GetAwesome]

There are a lot of roles to fill and all are valuable. A combination of every down guys, fresh rotation depth, and a pin your ears back 3rd and long package.

Oh I get that. We now have 18 of 'em in the D line room. That sure is a lot of "roles", as you say.

 

[coolerifyoudid]

With all of our new D-lineman, anything less than a sack on every play and I'll be disappointed.

 

[Peter]

Stack the position and let them battle it out. It's a numbers game, and between all of these guys, you should be able to find 4 quality starters.

 

[Clonefan32]

I'm sorry does that say 23.5 tackles for loss?

 

[CyLyte2]

Iowa Western set the single season sack record.

 

[cydsho]

Being from the area he is from, excited for this one. Really good story about him going to iwcc to improve himself.

 

[knowlesjam]

Yeah, the sunshine pumpers here in Omaha were calling this a sure thing for Nebby.

 

[knowlesjam]

How are we getting so many defensive linemen commits when I heard we couldn’t? Why is this coaching staff seeing the need and addressing it? Or could it be that it is easier to recruit when a 4 man front is schemed as opposed to a 3 man front.

You certainly need more...obviously given the injury potential. Not sure what the recommendation is for the ratio...is it 2.5 per position? Some positions like QB need at least 3. So maybe 10-12 needed for the DL?

 

[isucy86]

Oh I get that. We now have 18 of 'em in the D line room. That sure is a lot of "roles", as you say.

But CJR is also building a roster from less than 20 returning players. So the new guys have the fill all spots in a typical 85 scholarship & 20 walkon roster. From starter all the way down scout team guys.

Gotta love he's creating a ton of competition going into the spring. And he seems to like playing a lot of kids based on his WSU guys.

 

[isucy86]

You certainly need more...obviously given the injury potential. Not sure what the recommendation is for the ratio...is it 2.5 per position? Some positions like QB need at least 3. So maybe 10-12 needed for the DL?

IMO it's closer to 4 players per spot. With OL/DL it's somewhere between 15-20.

 

[coolerifyoudid]

I'm sorry does that say 23.5 tackles for loss?

We're gonna stop plays before they even get delivered to opposing offensive coordinators

 

[5Cy]

I love this strategy! Load up on d-line so we have lots of competition in practice, depth, and fresh bodies throughout the games. Gone are the days of Big Citrus having to be THE guy in the middle. Cycle these big boys through and wear down the opposing o-line.

 

[clonedude]

I love this strategy! Load up on d-line so we have lots of competition in practice, depth, and fresh bodies throughout the games. Gone are the days of Big Citrus having to be THE guy in the middle. Cycle these big boys through and wear down the opposing o-line.

Agree completely. When you pay one guy big money, if he goes down, you really feel it. And Big Citrus went down a lot. He was a great player, but couldn’t handle all the snaps we needed him to play.

 

[Yaz]

These initial practices with pads on are going to be BRUTAL as these guys settle who is Alpha for a starting spot.

 

[cyclone1209]

Stack the position and let them battle it out. It's a numbers game, and between all of these guys, you should be able to find 4 quality starters.

Our pass rush is already massively improved.

1) more impact defensive ends who've done it are committed, the Washington State guy with 7 sacks last year, and then add in this juco stud who had 13 sacks last year. At any level thats impressive.
2) the scheme will employ more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

I'm excited.