Simply put, ISU running backs haven’t broken free for many big runs in recent years.

“We haven’t made people miss,” said ISU coach Paul Rhoads. “We’ve blocked too many plays for six yards and gained six yards, or four yards and gained four yards. You see a lot of other folks block a play for five and a guy gains 50 because he makes somebody miss.”

From 1994-96, the Cyclones had that runner. Troy Davis ran for more than 2,000 yards in an ISU uniform, twice, on his way to shattering nearly every school rushing record.

Of course, Davis was a two-time All-American and a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist who finished both second and fifth in voting. With a handful of running backs competing for time in the backfield next season, there is hope for more big runs in the future.

“When we schemed plays for Troy Davis, we never blocked a guy,” Rhoads said after the team’s first spring scrimmage Saturday. “We said, ‘Who’s responsible for him? Well, Troy is.’

“That’s what a great back has to do, and I’m seeing more of that right now.”

Last season, running back James White broke free on a 56-yard play and Jeff Woody broke one for 46 yards. No other run went for more than 40 yards the whole season.

The year prior, White scampered for 76 yards and former running back Duran Hollis broke a carry for 71 yards. The only other big run came from former quarterback Jared Barnett, who broke one for 31 yards.

In the team’s first scrimmage of the spring Saturday, April 6, 2013, two newer runners grabbed the attention.

“Aaron Wimberly, you guys all hear reports of how fast he is,” said running back Jeff Woody. “There were a couple times where [he had] just unbelievable blazing speed, where he’ll just turn it on. DeVondrick [Nealy] has the same capability, just being able to beat anyone around the corner.”

Wimberly arrived at Iowa State this spring following two seasons at Iowa Western Community College, where he rushed for 2,012 yards in two seasons. Nealy, meanwhile, is a redshirt sophomore who saw limited action for the Cyclones last season, rushing for 85 yards on 16 attempts.

The two backs add to a group that includes three players who will be entering their senior seasons next fall: Woody, White and Shontrelle Johnson, who won’t participate this spring following knee surgery. Last season, White and Johnson combined for 1,009 yards and a 4.7 yards per carry average.

Now the Cyclones have even more options.

“[It’s great] having the option of putting those guys in, just home run hitters that at any moment can take a sweep play 70 yards for a touchdown and no one’s going to run them down,” Woody said.

The newfound depth, with a handful of capable backs available, might just allow for more of the big runs Iowa State was once accustomed to.

“You can just cycle through them,” said quarterback Sam Richardson of the backs. “The next guy is just as dangerous.”