Iowa State football: Cyclone Fanatic releases post-spring position rankings
By Brian Spaen
Could Iowa State’s offense really be better than all of their defensive positions?
Oct 19, 2013; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears wide receiver Antwan Goodley (5) catches a touchdown pass as Iowa State Cyclones defensive back Nigel Tribune (34) defends during the first half at Floyd Casey Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
That’s how Chris Williams of Cyclone Fanatic ranks all of Iowa State’s positions on Tuesday after spring practice has wrapped up. He gives a very solid and detailed summary in each position as to why he ranked them that way. It’s a very good and quick read for those that want to get a summary of the team.
Williams ranks all the offensive positions above the defensive positions:
- Wide receivers
- Offensive line
- Tight ends
- Running backs
- Quarterbacks
- Linebackers
- Secondary
- Defensive line
Obviously, positions rely on many other positions to succeed. But based just on talent, the receiving corps is the highlight on this team. There’s a lot of experience returning, especially Quenton Bundrage and Jarvis West. And we haven’t even brought up incoming freshman Allen Lazard, who could make a big impact in his first season.
E.J. Bibbs single-handedly moves the tight-end position up there, and Williams hits it on the spot with giving some dap to backup Ben Boesen. I’d probably rank the offensive line a notch lower.
Williams also hits it on the head with the receivers being as good as the quarterbacks, and I even think he has that position too high at fifth. Every year it feels like Iowa State finds that quarterback that will be a solidified starter next season, and in that opening month they regress. We’ve seen it with just about every quarterback since Seneca Wallace.
Of course, this isn’t what he projects, this is what he ranks them after seeing them in spring practice. And he’s certainly not in favor of the defense, which is interesting considering the secondary has tremendous upside with Nigel Tribune, Sam E. Richardson, and Kamari Cotton-Moya (he’s not as high on the last two at the moment).
Special teams aren’t ranked in this list, but considering that Iowa State has to replace Kirby Van Der Kamp, that could be a wild adventure that should probably remain unrated at this point.