The big storyline in Ames heading into next football season is the new coaching staff. After finishing eighth in the Big 12 in rushing yards and last in sacks allowed in the conference last season, the running backs and offensive line appeared to underperform after high expectations in the offseason.

But the statistics don’t tell the whole story. Plagued by injury, the offensive line saw nine different lineups in 12 games in 2013 and leading rusher Aaron Wimberly was never fully healthy after an injury against Texas Tech.

With Iowa State’s spring practice period underway and no injuries between the position groups, offensive line coach Brandon Blaney is excited about the depth he has inherited.

“As a coach, it’s great,” Blaney said. “I’ve got a veteran group and a group of guys that have been in the fire and have been in the mix and they know what it’s going to take to compete and win in the Big 12 right now.”

Heading into the season, the Cyclones have six returning starters across the line with even more seeing action in games last season. With four-star recruits like Jake Campos and Shawn Curtis coming off redshirt seasons, the depth and talent of the group could be one of the best of any position on the team.

The running backs also feature some depth, despite graduating three players that combined for 550 yards and nine of the Cyclones’ 16 rushing touchdowns last season. Wimberly and DeVondrick Nealy combined for 725 yards and four touchdowns despite injuries and limited snaps.

As ball carriers, big hits and injuries are to be expected, but running backs coach Louis Ayeni hopes the healthy stable of running backs during spring ball call help develop the players quicker to avoid injury.

“He’s got enough feet and enough speed that he can make a guy miss,” Ayeni said of Wimberly. “I’m going to try to develop that the best I can so I can save some hits on him. He knows the deal, but the biggest thing I’m going to do is help him protect himself the best I can.”

With a new offensive coordinator calling plays and new position coaches running practices, there will undoubtedly be a learning curve. Coach Paul Rhoads said the coaching styles of Blaney and former offensive line coach Chris Klenakis differ, calling Blaney more “cerebral,” while Ayeni brings a young and energetic spark to the running backs position.

Learning curve aside, the offensive line and running backs head into the spring game healthier than ever and will play at full strength for the first time in over a year. For the new coaches, it makes the process much easier.

“I think Malcolm Gladwell said, ‘It takes 10,000 hours to master one thing,'” Blaney said. “I’ve got that luxury as a coach and as a teacher of having guys that have compiled a few hours or a few starting minutes out there on the field, so it goes without saying that there is a certain level of comfort.”