After Brock, Breece, and Will McDonald left for the NFL, I was starting to think the Fiesta Bowl win in 2020 was the pinnacle of ISU football. I was very happy to be proven wrong, as this year our program eclipsed 11 wins. I am elated that Matt Campbell has taken this great program to new heights. We have a legendary coach extended and Campbell is comfortable in Ames, Rocco is coming back at QB, and there are a number of strong pieces to build around for next year yet again my thoughts on the year and Miami game:
Offense
Jaylin Noel: he's on the mount rushmore of ISU receivers and a complete legend. His yards after the catch is insane and he dramatically improved from soph year to Senior year.
Higgins: He is maybe the best transfer player ISU has gotten ever? Automatic top three rounds I feel for NFL draft, and it would be great to see him on a team with a good QB, because his route running is elite. He has Hutchinson speed but can run routes like Blythe.
Impact underclassman of the year award - Carson Hansen: this offense 100% is humming on all cylinders when he's in the game in all snaps. He hits the hole at the right time, he can catch out of the backfield, he can break tackles, he is a great RB. Not a burner, but a great RB. When it's 3rd and short and he gets it, I am not nervous. Abu should hit the portal this spring if he wants to start somewhere.
Offensive Line newbie I'm excited about: Trevor Buhr. He's a complete badass and the running game took a turn this year when he got more snaps. I'm super excited about him.
Offensive starter who's underrated / someone I will miss? Stevo Klotz. He was a glue guy on the team, did all the dirty work, strong blocker. Every team needs one of these.
Player I'm excited for next year? Cooper Alexander, Tight End: Guys he was the #12 rated TE in his recruiting class. He was an inch away from being offerred by OU, and had lots of power 5 offers. I think he can play a lot next year. I also want Brahmer back and healthy but am not sure what's going on with him, hopefully he's ok.
Defense
Senior I'll miss most: J.R. Singleton / Beau Freyler. Singleton as he was such an anchor for this D line, did all the dirty work at noseguard (which by the way isn't a stat providing position in the Heacock rush 3 defense). Freyler b/c he was an inspirational leader of the team, tone setter, and just so tough against the run. He made so many tackles in his career. I hope Freyler can be involved with the program some day.
Starter who was underrated that we will miss? Darien Porter. He's a unicorn of a football player. Someone who's bordering on 6'4" shouldn't be able to run like that. He was awesome at corner and I think will have a 5 year plus NFL career.
Guys who I'm excited for next year? #31 Safety Marcus Neal. He only played in a couple of games but he was a force when he played. He had a forced fumble against KSU, and had 18 tackles with limited snaps all year. Athletically, I think he's an upgrade over Beau Freyler. I'm also excited to see Drew Surges at safety fully healthy.
Other Defensive Thoughts Personnel Wise - Jontez Williams deserves a decent chunk of the defensive funds as he's special at corner. Dom Orange hopefully stays and think he will. For Ikenna Ezeogu, DE - he's currently at 270 lbs, I'd like for him to either cut a tad of weight and be a quicker DE, or bulk up and be a true DT. I don't know what he is and he seems stuck in between two positions/ineffective.
I like some of the young LBs, specifically Cael Brezina and Beau Goodwin, they're quality athletes who can cover the field sideline to sideline.
I love this team and defense, but it's time to weave in more of a 3-4 defense, 4-3, or something else. We got gashed too often against the run in the 3-3 stack.
I am already excited for spring football. It will be fun to see what everyone thinks of the new portal guys. We have enough foundational pieces to win lots of games again next year. It's a golden age for Cyclone sports.
Offense
Jaylin Noel: he's on the mount rushmore of ISU receivers and a complete legend. His yards after the catch is insane and he dramatically improved from soph year to Senior year.
Higgins: He is maybe the best transfer player ISU has gotten ever? Automatic top three rounds I feel for NFL draft, and it would be great to see him on a team with a good QB, because his route running is elite. He has Hutchinson speed but can run routes like Blythe.
Impact underclassman of the year award - Carson Hansen: this offense 100% is humming on all cylinders when he's in the game in all snaps. He hits the hole at the right time, he can catch out of the backfield, he can break tackles, he is a great RB. Not a burner, but a great RB. When it's 3rd and short and he gets it, I am not nervous. Abu should hit the portal this spring if he wants to start somewhere.
Offensive Line newbie I'm excited about: Trevor Buhr. He's a complete badass and the running game took a turn this year when he got more snaps. I'm super excited about him.
Offensive starter who's underrated / someone I will miss? Stevo Klotz. He was a glue guy on the team, did all the dirty work, strong blocker. Every team needs one of these.
Player I'm excited for next year? Cooper Alexander, Tight End: Guys he was the #12 rated TE in his recruiting class. He was an inch away from being offerred by OU, and had lots of power 5 offers. I think he can play a lot next year. I also want Brahmer back and healthy but am not sure what's going on with him, hopefully he's ok.
Defense
Senior I'll miss most: J.R. Singleton / Beau Freyler. Singleton as he was such an anchor for this D line, did all the dirty work at noseguard (which by the way isn't a stat providing position in the Heacock rush 3 defense). Freyler b/c he was an inspirational leader of the team, tone setter, and just so tough against the run. He made so many tackles in his career. I hope Freyler can be involved with the program some day.
Starter who was underrated that we will miss? Darien Porter. He's a unicorn of a football player. Someone who's bordering on 6'4" shouldn't be able to run like that. He was awesome at corner and I think will have a 5 year plus NFL career.
Guys who I'm excited for next year? #31 Safety Marcus Neal. He only played in a couple of games but he was a force when he played. He had a forced fumble against KSU, and had 18 tackles with limited snaps all year. Athletically, I think he's an upgrade over Beau Freyler. I'm also excited to see Drew Surges at safety fully healthy.
Other Defensive Thoughts Personnel Wise - Jontez Williams deserves a decent chunk of the defensive funds as he's special at corner. Dom Orange hopefully stays and think he will. For Ikenna Ezeogu, DE - he's currently at 270 lbs, I'd like for him to either cut a tad of weight and be a quicker DE, or bulk up and be a true DT. I don't know what he is and he seems stuck in between two positions/ineffective.
I like some of the young LBs, specifically Cael Brezina and Beau Goodwin, they're quality athletes who can cover the field sideline to sideline.
I love this team and defense, but it's time to weave in more of a 3-4 defense, 4-3, or something else. We got gashed too often against the run in the 3-3 stack.
I am already excited for spring football. It will be fun to see what everyone thinks of the new portal guys. We have enough foundational pieces to win lots of games again next year. It's a golden age for Cyclone sports.
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