Players to take the biggest step foward next season.

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isucy86

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Apr 13, 2006
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We don't have many glaring needs, but our kicking game is one of them. We need a kick off specialist who can put the ball in the end-zone. We also need a field goal kicker who can hit 50 yarders. It didn't hurt ISU this season, but I'd hate to lose a game because our FG kicker's range ended at 42 yards. Hoping Assalley, the transfer or preferred walkon can fill those roles.

Our other needs could take this team to the next level are:
  • Dominate run side. We need a T, G, C combination that just dominates the opponent defenses- even OU and Texas. Hoping Newell, Downing and Foster can be that group.
  • A WR that can blow the roof off of defenses. Hutchinson, Kolar and Allen are an elite trio of receivers. But a super quick 4th guy would make our offense dynamic.
  • Will McDonald. He has been outstanding as a pass rushing specialist. He could be All American if he can get bigger/stronger to be an every down DE.
  • We could use a tall young CB step up to be a shut down corner against taller opponent WR's. It would be great if Tampa can be that guy,
It would also be nice if a couple young linebackers shine in spot minutes since Rose, Vance and Hummel will all move on after the 2021 season. Especially, if one can be a great coverage specialist at LB. Horne, Vaughn and Davis have all shown potential.
 

Frak

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Agreed, Kyle, Young or Tampa need to take charge and sure up that 2nd CB position. Only question mark on D Imo.

Yeah, throw in Antoine and Purchase there too. From what I've seen, that 2nd CB spot should be a wide open competition. My other questions on Defense are who plays White's position and if McDonald can put on enough weight to be an every down player (or if not, who gets those snaps). Either way, if you are only worried about a couple of spots, that is an extremely solid Defense.
 

83cy

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May 14, 2006
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We don't have many glaring needs, but our kicking game is one of them. We need a kick off specialist who can put the ball in the end-zone. We also need a field goal kicker who can hit 50 yarders. It didn't hurt ISU this season, but I'd hate to lose a game because our FG kicker's range ended at 42 yards. Hoping Assalley, the transfer or preferred walkon can fill those roles.
Kinda hurt against OSU.
 

CyCloned

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Oct 18, 2006
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He had 13 carries on the year. Many likely with our second unit.

I realize he didn't have a lot of carries. but every one I saw he ran into the back of his OL for short gains. Also, most of the time the second unit still had mostly OL starters in. He had 13 carries for 46 yards with a long of 11.
 

superiorcyclone

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Dec 12, 2013
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He lacks vision in the running game and that is probably what holds him back the most. He tends to just run to the hole, or the place the hole is supposed to be, while Hall sees the small openings and cuts to those areas. I'm sure Brock will get better with time, and he certainly blocks and catches well.
Well I became a fan when he knocked that d-back on his butt with a crushing block.
 

nrg4isu

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Dec 29, 2009
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Well I became a fan when he knocked that d-back on his butt with a crushing block.

Agreed. I actually think J. Brock has a very good setup to grow into the replacement for Hall. He's getting specific reps on things that would make a good RB into a great one. 3rd down pass blocking and pass catching are usually things that young RBs struggle with and take time to learn. He'll already have that experience when he gets his main shot.

The other thing that I'd mention in regards to what we've seen out of him comes from none other than Jeff Woody. Listening to the FART podcasts he goes into the details about how a RB needs to get the feel of the game, knowing his OL, the opponent, how fast to take certain steps and how far. I can't come close to explaining it as well as Jeff did, but suffice it to say that a few dozen snaps over the season isn't enough to get a great feel for what he would be if he were the feature back. I'm excited about his potential and really expect there wouldn't be a big drop off from Hall if and when Brock takes over.
 

Aclone

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Dec 14, 2007
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Yeah, throw in Antoine and Purchase there too. From what I've seen, that 2nd CB spot should be a wide open competition. My other questions on Defense are who plays White's position and if McDonald can put on enough weight to be an every down player (or if not, who gets those snaps). Either way, if you are only worried about a couple of spots, that is an extremely solid Defense.
I’m going to agree with your comments on the cornerback position. I think that Tampa, Antoine and Purchase give the corner spot a very bright future.

As far as White’s spot, I’m wondering if they just slide Eisworth over to it, so they have an experienced guy keeping an eye on things. Doesn’t the FS call plays? That would leave Isheem and the bigger younger guys for SS and Star.
 
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Cyforce

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I think the starting OL will be...

LT S. Foster
LG T. Downing
C C. Newell
RG D. Simmons
RT J. Remsburg
Schweiger and Newell were are best linemen this year. There's no way a guy that was AP 2nd team all conference is going to the bench.
 

bozclone

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The competition on the offensive line is going to be fun. Lots of talented young guys who could really develop between now and the fall. It will be interesting if the staff sticks with five guys during games or if they rotate guys like they do at almost every other position. That approach has really helped build our depth and seems to support a positive culture involving a lot of players on game day. We haven't seen that on the offense line and it may not be something the staff will do, but we have a lot of talent that would benefit from game snaps. It is pretty impressive that we started two redshirt freshman for most of the season and we had arguably our best line in a lot of years. Remember when we thought we could only have upperclassmen on the line because our recruits took that long to develop. CMC has proved us wrong over and over again on what can be done in Ames.
 

TheJackWePack5

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Oct 2, 2011
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Schweiger and Newell were are best linemen this year. There's no way a guy that was AP 2nd team all conference is going to the bench.
Isn’t this fun? Simmons was Honorable Mention, and Downing is a 1st team All Big 12 caliber guard.

I dont think any combination of Downing, Schweiger, Simmons or Hufford (to a lesser degree) would surprise anyone.
 
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Halincandenza

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Oct 24, 2018
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I think you have to look at positions where there is an opportunity to step up their game and Srs so I am going with Jackson, Lee, Petersen and Robertson and King.
 

CyCloned

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The competition on the offensive line is going to be fun. Lots of talented young guys who could really develop between now and the fall. It will be interesting if the staff sticks with five guys during games or if they rotate guys like they do at almost every other position. That approach has really helped build our depth and seems to support a positive culture involving a lot of players on game day. We haven't seen that on the offense line and it may not be something the staff will do, but we have a lot of talent that would benefit from game snaps. It is pretty impressive that we started two redshirt freshman for most of the season and we had arguably our best line in a lot of years. Remember when we thought we could only have upperclassmen on the line because our recruits took that long to develop. CMC has proved us wrong over and over again on what can be done in Ames.

The thing that the OL really needs the most at this point is that one road grader guy that you can just run behind to get 2 yards no matter what the other team is doing. Maybe Downing is that guy. We never saw enough of him to know this year. Anyway, a guy like KO would make getting 4th and 2 a lot easier.
 
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ForeverIowan

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The thing that the OL really needs the most at this point is that one road grader guy that you can just run behind to get 2 yards no matter what the other team is doing. Maybe Downing is that guy. We never saw enough of him to know this year. Anyway, a guy like KO would make getting 4th and 2 a lot easier.

Downing is most definitely that guy. Having him back healthy next year with one more year of maturity and strength and conditioning is the equivilant to adding a five star recruit.
 
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TheNatureRoy

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Jan 13, 2021
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He had 13 carries on the year. Many likely with our second unit.
Agreed... Hall did not look especially comfortable or in sync for his first 18 carries as a Freshman. It wasn't until he got an extended run vs WVU that we saw what Hall could really do.

And if I recall correctly, there was talk on the CF podcasts the game before WVU (TCU) that the coaches were considering giving Brock a shot at becoming the main guy. If that's true, Brock must have been pretty impressive in practice himself.

I'll reserve judgement until he gets more regular carries. Personally, I hope he's given a considerably larger role than Kene had, both to keep defenses off balance and to lighten Hall's load somewhat ahead of his pro career.
 
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Neptune78

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Aug 12, 2020
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Improvements to the best team ever to wear Cardinal and Gold (and yes, Black) is fun to even talk about.
The obvious answer does seem to be a WR to compliment the X-man. Followed by quality depth at CB and DT. Connor will be the short distance guy, just hope the new kid can kick a 45-50 yarder with the game on the line.