Big 12 Media Day: Paul Rhoads Highlights

Yesterday during the Big 12 Media Day in Dallas, Texas, Paul Rhoads was asked 13 questions after giving the traditional opening statement. The full transcript can be read here, but here are some highlights that were said during the event.

For the record, A.J. Klein, Jake Knott, and James White were all there with the coach, but due to work obligations I was unable to view the event live.

Opening Statement by Paul Rhoads:

“We had record-setting attendance last year in three different categories. Season ticket sales, single season attendance at all six of our home football games were over 51,000 for the first time in the history of Iowa State University football. The season ticket sales for 2012 have already surpassed those marks.”

“I think as we head toward this season we’ll put our most talented football team on the field as we once again face a schedule that all if not most will rank as one of the top five toughest in college football.”

“We have two players that are up for about every preseason honor they could at linebacker in A.J. Klein and Jake Knott, both very deserving of the attention.”

“Shontrelle Johnson, a running back in our football program, has been cleared to play and will begin practicing with us when we start on August 3rd.”

On the victory against Oklahoma State last season:

“I think the most significant component of that victory for our football program has been national attention … Now, that spills over, most importantly for us, into recruiting.”

On the time frame when a quarterback (Steele Jantz or Jared Barnett) will be selected as the starter:

“(It will be) through the last scrimmage of training camp before I’ll make that decision.”

What exactly Rhoads meant by “most talented football team on the field:”

“I think it’s both the top 22 and the top 44. And I separate those two. This is without a doubt our deepest football team.”

“(To win) more than three Big 12 games, like our three previous have done, is going to be based largely on how our quarterbacks play and the improvement of our defense, especially our defensive line.”

On defeating the in-state rival, Iowa:

“It was a game that was played at home in September, a very hot day, went three overtimes, it was two teams that played to complete exhaustion. And to win a game like that, regardless of it being against your in-state rival, is very important to the growth of your football program.”