Unsung Dudes

[Al_4_State]

I was just thinking this morning out on a walk, that Jace Gilbert and James Neal both made some really important and unheralded contributions this year.

Both guys went from being starters to back ups, but stayed the course and found ways to get on the field and make the team better. Kickoffs were never an issue, as Gilbert got plenty of touch backs. Add in the pooch punting and he really became an asset this year.

Neal gets (expectedly) beat out by Jalen Travis, but became a huge part of the short yardage game as the extra man in the jumbo package that we absolutely leaned on down the stretch (and yesterday). I’d imagine he goes back to being an every down guy next year.

Both of these guys could have packed it up and moved on, but they dug in and found a way to make us better. Who else you guys got for unsung guys?

 

[JM4CY]

Eli Green

 

[JP4CY]

Stevo Klotz isn't too unsung but I love that guy.

 

[RagingCloner]

Rylan Barnes. Obviously wasn’t ready to be a p4 contributor as soon as he was, but we don’t win the Baylor or WVU game without him

 

[FallOf81]

This guy. Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

[FerShizzle]

Burkle stepped up bigly after the injury to Brahmer.

All the LBs scrambled to be a unit all season. Injuries were unfair to that position room. They were good enough for 11 wins.

 

[goclones69]

I was just thinking this morning out on a walk, that Jace Gilbert and James Neal both made some really important and unheralded contributions this year.

Both guys went from being starters to back ups, but stayed the course and found ways to get on the field and make the team better. Kickoffs were never an issue, as Gilbert got plenty of touch backs. Add in the pooch punting and he really became an asset this year.

Neal gets (expectedly) beat out by Jalen Travis, but became a huge part of the short yardage game as the extra man in the jumbo package that we absolutely leaned on down the stretch (and yesterday). I’d imagine he goes back to being an every down guy next year.

Both of these guys could have packed it up and moved on, but they dug in and found a way to make us better. Who else you guys got for unsung guys?

Why did James Neal switch to #93? I was wondering if he was switching to DL but he was great in short yardage situations as you mentioned on the OL

 

[Al_4_State]

Burkle stepped up bigly after the injury to Brahmer.

All the LBs scrambled to be a unit all season. Injuries were unfair to that position room. They were good enough for 11 wins.

I thought about dropping Zach Lovett in there. He didn’t do much this year, but he made some big plays yesterday

 

[Al_4_State]

Why did James Neal switch to #93? I was wondering if he was switching to DL but he was great in short yardage situations as you mentioned on the OL

No idea. I’d be very surprised if he’s not an OL starter next year

 

[AuH2O]

Neal is one of those guys that probably could’ve been really good at G but the team was desperate for a T and he was the best option prior to Travis,and it’s a hell of a lot easier to find Guards than Tackles. This role is perfect for Neal. Road grater in the run game.

Also yesterday Hawk gave some great play in the second half. Some of the few times ISU stopped the run Hawk tied up blocks and gave the RB nowhere to go until help arrived. Probably nothing on the stat sheet but some really great plays by him in as tough a role as there is.

 

[AuH2O]

No idea. I’d be very surprised if he’s not an OL starter next year

I suppose since Neal would be an eligible receiver in a lot of formations maybe #93 instead of #75 means he doesn’t have to report. I think if you’re 50-79 you have to report to be an eligible receiver.

 

[Al_4_State]

I suppose since Neal would be an eligible receiver in a lot of formations maybe #93 instead of #75 means he doesn’t have to report. I think if you’re 50-79 you have to report to be an eligible receiver.

I had a similar thought and felt they were setting up a trick play pass to Neal. He was a HS basketball player so you know he’s kinda nimble for a big guy

 

[nrg4isu]

Why did James Neal switch to #93? I was wondering if he was switching to DL but he was great in short yardage situations as you mentioned on the OL

Well that's a thought isn't it. Could Neal play DT alongside Big Citrus?

Unlikely, but if it's possible, I feel like we do have that need next year.

 

[AuH2O]

I had a similar thought and felt they were setting up a trick play pass to Neal. He was a HS basketball player so you know he’s kinda nimble for a big guy

It still ll could happen, but even if they run a PA and he doesn’t report and gets downfield it prevents a penalty. One less thing to worry about I guess.

 

[JM4CY]

Burkle stepped up bigly after the injury to Brahmer.

All the LBs scrambled to be a unit all season. Injuries were unfair to that position room. They were good enough for 11 wins.

I was really off on Burkle early when he seemed to be getting a bunch of dumb false start/presnap penalties and stuff in middle part of the year. I’m glad I was wrong on him. He can play.

 

[CycloneVet]

Brahmer and Burkle may be almost as good as Kolar and Allen. Neither is as good as Kolar but Burkle maybe a bit better than Allen

 

[FerShizzle]

I was really off on Burkle early when he seemed to be getting a bunch of dumb false start/presnap penalties and stuff in middle part of the year. I’m glad I was wrong on him. He can play.

He really came on in the last third of the season.

Him and Brahmer will be a solid combo next year. Townsend and Green on the outside. Carson being a dude. Rocco. It should be a reload on offense, and maybe a player grouping that Mouser is more comfortable with.

 

[84 grad]

I heard that Lovett was hurt most of the year.

 

[Cyched]

 

[BCClone]

Why did James Neal switch to #93? I was wondering if he was switching to DL but he was great in short yardage situations as you mentioned on the OL

Needed to be a TE number so he could switch sides if needed. That way he doesn’t have to report as eligible.