As reporters from across Iowa herd Allen Lazard from camera to camera on his first media day, his brother Anthony is on deck, anticipating the inevitable Lazard family photo.

Anthony, who is older than Allen by two years, is entering his third year at Iowa State as a redshirt sophomore at linebacker while Allen is a true freshman at wide receiver, but this isn’t the first time the brothers have suited up for the same team.

In 2011, Anthony was a senior at Urbandale and Allen was a sophomore. The two played on the defensive side of the ball together, Anthony at linebacker and Allen at defensive back.

“In high school, we interacted more and I played defense more in high school,” Allen said. “Now he’s always doing his defensive stuff and I’m on offense.”

In fact, the two were defensive standouts. As a senior, Anthony led the conference in tackles and was a second team all-conference selection and Urbandale’s defensive MVP. That same year, Allen registered eight interceptions, including a game in which he took three picks back for a touchdown in the same quarter.

When it came to the recruiting process, the two had very different paths.

Anthony chose to walk-on at Iowa State at the end of his high school career while two years later Allen stood at a buffet line of college choices, turning down offers from Notre Dame, Stanford, Nebraska and others before accepting a scholarship to Iowa State.

During his brother’s recruiting, Anthony knew where he wanted Allen to end up but decided to let his brother decide his future for himself.

“I didn’t want to be too biased and I wanted him to do his own thing, so if he did want to go somewhere else it would have been his choice,” Anthony said. “But I did want him to come here so I influenced a little bit, but not too much.”

In the end, it seems like the two were destined to become Cyclones, just like their father.

Kevin Lazard was a defensive back at Iowa State from 1990-93. As a senior, Kevin was named co-captain of the team and notched 50 tackles and two interceptions.

Allen says having their father see both of his sons play in the same game as Cyclones would be a special moment for everyone.

“Our parents would be very proud of us,” Allen said. “Our dad played here and seeing us two play here would be something special for him and for us, too.”

As the brothers embark on their first season together at Iowa State and on different sides of the ball, one question lingers: What will happen if one practice, Allen comes across the middle with his arms outstretched for a catch and finds himself face to face with Anthony.

The jury is still out on that one.

“We haven’t come to that yet,” Anthony said with a wide smile and a laugh. “I’ve been hoping for one, but we haven’t come across that yet.”

Allen, his arms crossed, smirks at the idea and nods his head toward Anthony.

“He’s too soft.”