Iowa State senior offensive lineman Derek Schweiger (No. 64) signals for a touchdown as sophomore running back Jirehl Brock runs into the end zone in the second quarter against TCU on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames — © Bryon Houlgrave/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK
Every year for about a decade or so, I have written and done the research for Iowa State’s content in the annual Athlon preseason college football magazine.
One of those tasks is coming up with a projected two-deep for September in the month of April. Some years it is easy. Others, it is not.
No year has been more difficult than preparing for the 2022 season.
A season after knowing every member of the two-deep off the top of my head, the 2022 squad is full of mystery. Here is my best stab at what the Cyclones will look like, keeping in mind that I fully anticipate things to change between now and kickoff.
Note: I did not put any “ORs” in my projection, even though I am positive there will be many when Iowa State releases its fall camp depth chart this summer. These are my projections to start the season on Sept. 3 vs. Southeast Missouri State.
QB: Hunter Dekkers, RS So.
Rocco Becht, Fr.
RB: Jirehl Brock, RS Jr.
Eli Sanders, RS Fr.
TE: Easton Dean, RS Jr.
Tyler Moore, RS Fr.
F: Jared Rus, RS Sr.
DeShawn Hanika, RS Jr.
WRM: Jaylin Noel, So.
Daniel Jackson, RS So.
WRX: Xavier Hutchinson, RS Sr.
Darren Wilson Jr., RS Sr.
WRZ: Sean Shaw Jr.
Greg Gaines, Fr.
LT: Tyler Miller, RS So.
James Neal, So.
LG: Jarrod Hufford, RS Jr.
Brady Peterson, RS So.
C: Trevor Downing, RS. Sr.
Dodge Sauser, RS. Fr.
RG: Darrell Simmons Jr., RS Jr.
Zach Ross, RS Sr.
RT: Jake Remsburg, RS Jr.
Grant Treiber, RS Jr.
Defense
DE: Will McDonald, RS Sr.
MJ Anderson, RS Jr.
NG: Isaiah Lee, RS Sr.
J.R. Singleton, RS So.
DE: Blake Peterson, RS Jr.
Tyler Onyedim, RS Fr.
WLB: Gerry Vaughn, RS Sr.
Jacob Ellis, So.
MLB: O’Rien Vance, RS Sr.
Will McLaughlin, Fr.
SLB: Colby Reeder, RS Sr.
Carson Willich, Fr.
MS: Beau Freyler, So.
Mason Chambers, Jr.
FS: Anthony Johnson, RS. Sr.
Blake Thompson, So.
BS: Malik Verdon, RS Fr.
Trevon Howard, Fr.
LC: Myles Purchase, So.
Darien Porter, RS Jr.
RC: T.J. Tampa, Jr.
Tayvonn Kyle, RS Sr.
K: Tyler Bittman, RS Fr.
Keegan Shackford, RS. Fr.
P: Tyler Perkins, Fr.
Ben Garbarini, RS Sr.
KR: Jaylin Noel, So.
Xavier Hutchinson, Sr.
PR: Jaylin Noel, So.
Xavier Hutchinson, Sr.