Iowa State Football: Spring Depth Chart Breakdown, Part 3
By Brian Spaen
September 1, 2012; Ames, IA, USA; Tulsa Golden Hurricanes flanker Jordan James (12) is tackled by Iowa State Cyclones Jeremiah George (52) in the first half at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Don’t have time to read the entire 10-page PDF report of the Iowa State Cyclones’ spring football depth chart? No worries, we’ve got you covered with a quick rundown and analysis.
Previously:
Defensive Line Starters [backup listed in brackets]
- DE: Willie Scott (50, R-Sr) [Mitchell Meyers (90, R-Fr)]
- DE: Cory Morrissey (48, Jr) [Nick Kron (69, R-So)]
- DT: Collin Bevins (18, R-Fr) [Austin Krick (92, R-Jr)]
- NG: Brandon Jensen (93, R-Jr) [Walter Woods (95, R-Sr)]
The defense will be the biggest question mark of the season, and it honestly can’t get much worse than how last season unfolded. Missing one of the dynamic duo between A.J. Klein and Jake Knott resulted in giving up a ton of yards on Big 12 play. Most opposing quarterbacks were able to throw on Iowa State and teams generally gained a bunch of yards on the ground because last year’s defense simply couldn’t get any pressure.
With young talent all around and even younger players in depth, it could be another rough year especially at tackle with a freshman topping the depth chart.
Linebacker Starters [backup listed in brackets]
- Slot: Jared Brackens (14, Jr) [Alton Meeks (44, Fr)]
- Middle: Jeremiah George (52, Sr) [Darius White (41, R-Fr)]
- Wide: Jevohn Miller (55, Jr) [Luke Knott (21, R-Fr)]
There’s not a bigger downgrade as obvious as losing Klein and Knott, but the falloff may not be as horrendous as it seems. George ranked 3rd on the team with 87 tackles, and the other two players around him projected to start are juniors. The depth won’t be there like most of the defense, but perhaps as a unit they’ll be better at limiting the amount of yards opponents have been able to collect against the Cyclones.
Next up: Secondary and special teams.