Schlimgen will start at Mike. Sam will have the smaller nickel player listed.
Way Too Early Depth Chart speculation
- Thread starter CYCLNST8
- Start date
They could list a LB at Sam for the starters, but they will switch to nickel pretty quick, and use nickel more often. Kind of like Curtis Jones, or McGee coming off the bench. Played starter minutes but not listed as starters.
Going into week 1 next year think he'll be 3rd or 4th. He was in the last system 2 years and couldn't get above 4th on the depth chart. Didn't log a rush this year until the 2nd to the last game of the season even with minor injuries in the room. Pettaway and Allah both more experienced and proven. Also think Francois will just be better. Peppers health will also play a factor
demoncore1031
Well-Known Member
Yes but we had Hansen and Sama. With those guys gone I could see Flora getting a lot more reps.
If Goodwin and/or Barnes are starting at LB then we could be in trouble. Those guys are special teamers, but we honestly don't have a lot of LB depth. I think the newcomers will start.
Since we’ll mostly play only 2 LB, it makes sense to have more depth on the DL and in the backfield.
Cyclonepride
Thought Police
Flora is a weapon. I expect to see him get a lot of touches this year, one way or the other.
9-3 and one of the most fun seasons we've ever had is what I am expecting. Falling in love with a bunch of ballers with chips on their shoulders who are the toughest sons of b's we've witnessed in Cyclone uniforms will be an absolute blast. In Jimmy I trust.
I have no idea as other than the returning guys and a handful of the transfers in I have no idea how the 2 deep will shake out coming out of camp. I'm going to need a printed roster week 1 just to get familiar with who everyone is. This is also why I think it is crazy that some folks were already doing a W/L prediction when the schedule came out as until we see this group of players as a whole on the field in Week 1 I have no idea where to set expectations at.
As for Flora, I do think he will be involved more but as as the RB2 on the depth chart may be a stretch. Could see him in as more of a gadget player where maybe he lines up at WR in a certain package even. The fact that he stayed and was put on scholarship seems to signal he will have more of a role but I doubt he's going to get the kind of snap counts that we gave with our 2 RB situation with Hansen and Sama. I hope he proves me wrong though.
As for Flora, I do think he will be involved more but as as the RB2 on the depth chart may be a stretch. Could see him in as more of a gadget player where maybe he lines up at WR in a certain package even. The fact that he stayed and was put on scholarship seems to signal he will have more of a role but I doubt he's going to get the kind of snap counts that we gave with our 2 RB situation with Hansen and Sama. I hope he proves me wrong though.
I acknowledge this thought exercise is pure spit-balling, but I think you can compose some rough approximations of how things may fall into place. Bear in mind many of the younger transfers were acquired in an attempt to balance out the classes and aren't necessarily being counted on to fill a starting role immediately. I like that strategy as I feel Iowa State can flourish as a develop-and-retain program rather than going portal crazy every off-season. We had to load up this go-round out of necessity. The veteran transfers with 1-2 seasons of eligibility left are the guys who are likely expected to contribute immediately, as are the scholarship players who elected to stay in Ames. Former Cyclones who transferred down a level likely knew they'd need to look somewhere else if they were going to see the playing field (and were probably planning on transferring anyways).
Following college sports has become much like dating the girl who is the village bicycle. She's not really your girlfriend; it's just your turn. Hard to get very invested, anymore.
Maybe. I'd never heard of UT Permian Basin until this recruiting cycle. I would think the Big 12 is a big step up, but he certainly has the resume. Interestingly, Exline is one of the few transfers who has his bio filled out @ Cyclones.com:
Awards & Honors
Cliff Harris Award Finalist (2025)
Harlon Hill Trophy Candidate (2025)
First Team Associated Press All-American (2025)
First Team D2CCA All-American (2025)
Second Team AFCA All-American (2025)
Don Hansen Second Team All-American (2025)
Don Hansen Honorable Mention All-America (2024)
D2Football.com Elite 100 – Defensive Player of the Year and First Team (2025)
D2Football.com Elite 100 Team (2024)
Dave Campbell's Texas Football All-Texas Non-FBS Team Defensive Player of the Year (2025)
Dave Campbell's Texas Football First-Team All-Texas Non-FBS Team (2025)
Dave Campbell's Texas Football All-Texas Non-FBS Team (2024)
First-Team D2CCA All-Super Region Four Team (Defense) (2025)
Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Year (J.V. Sikes Award) (2025)
2X Lone Star Conference Linebacker of the Year (2024, 2025)
2X First-Team All-Lone Star Conference Defense (ILB) (2024, 2025)
2X D2Football.com National Defensive Player of the Week (9/2/2025, 11/11/2025)
3X LSC Defensive Player of the Week (9/2/2024, 9/1/2025, 11/10/2025)
Lone Star Conference Athletic Performance All-Conference Team (2024-25)
2025 (at UT Permian Basin)
Played and started all 14 games … team captain … 2025 Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Year … First Team Associated Press All-American … Cliff Harris Award finalist … recorded 143 tackles, the second-most in a season in program history and a league-high for the 2025 season, and broke the UTPB single-season record with 19.5 tackles for loss … had 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception … finished his three-year career at UTPB with 272 tackles, including 39.0 for loss, and 12 sacks … also had three interceptions, four forced fumbles and eight passes defended.
2024 (at UT Permian Basin)
Started all 12 games … LSC Co-Linebacker of the Year and First Team All-LSC … honorable mention All-American … led the Falcons with 104 tackles, finishing second on the team with 16.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks … also had an interception, a forced fumble, four quarterback hurries and three pass breakups … ranked second in conference in tackles for loss, third in sacks and fifth in tackles … had four double-digit tackle games, including a 15-tackle game against Texas A&M-Kingsville.
2023 (at UT Permian Basin)
Played in 11 games, finishing with 25 tackles, including three for a loss … also forced a fumble … notched six tackles in NCAA Division II Playoffs against Bemidji State … had first career interception against Western New Mexico.
High School
Prepped at China Spring High School where he was unanimous District MVP, First Team Super Centex, first team all-state and state champion MVP.
In watching his highlights and seeing his resume I'd be absolutely shocked if he didn't start.
