More consistency and more speed is the mantra for the ISU defensive ends this spring as the youthful group is trying to get prepared for the rigors of the regular season.

ISU defensive ends coach Curtis Bray feels that his young group, while it is showing signs of improvement in spring practices, needs to take the next step and perform at a high level on a more consistent basis.

“Last year I felt like we started out strong and kind of wilted a little bit,” Bray said. “We’ve got to build that. I’ve got to do a better job of playing more guys a little bit more. As far as production, they just have to be more consistent.”

Bray would like to have five players in his rotation at the end position with a key presence of junior Cory Morrissey. Morrissey, a high-motor and high-work ethic player as described by Bray and ISU coach Paul Rhoads, doesn’t shy away from putting in the hard work in the weight room and on the field.

For himself and his teammates, Morrissey believes that getting the extra repetitions now in the spring will pay off in the fall to give the defensive ends more depth.

“Right now on the practice field, we’ve just got to have our heads about us and know that we have to do our job and pretty much consistently do it,” Morrissey said. “I guess I’m still a young guy, too, so we try to reassure each other that you’ve got to do the right thing and help each other out.”

Injuries have plagued the defensive ends this spring, with junior David Irving missing spring ball due to recovery from shoulder surgery and redshirt senior Willie Scott back on the field after battling plantar fasciitis.

Bray is able to see the positives, however, from the struggles with injuries his players have faced.

“The good thing is we’re building depth,” Bray said. “It’s hard to get a full gauge of exactly where we’re at. It helps with those young guys being able to get in there and get some reps. They’re the ones that really need it.”

Rhoads said redshirt sophomore Nick Kron is also now back to full strength after suffering from a broken foot. Seeing himself as more of a leader amongst his younger teammates, Kron has tried to set an example by playing defensive end the “Iowa State way.”

Kron described the style of play as one that will entrench in their minds the fundamentals how playing the defensive end, such as how to properly block on an assignment and knowing their role. Kron mentioned that honing those skills may be even more important this year with equally young defensive tackles.

“I don’t think it’s any harder as far as making a play,” Kron said. “It might be a little harder with less experience inside but I don’t think our job is any more difficult without that experience inside.”