If ISU coach Paul Rhoads could describe his team’s spring season so far, it would be “physical.”

“We’ve gotten after it this spring,” Rhoads said, entering his third season at the helm of ISU football. “We’ve gotten 11 practices in, and besides the two that were helmets-only, our guys have been very physical and gotten after it.”

Rhoads addressed the media Tuesday in preparation for his team’s spring game, which will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Jack Trice Stadium.

The physical nature of spring practice has led to some injuries on the team, most notably quarterback Jerome Tiller, who injured his elbow a little more than a week ago and has been held to limited repetitions in practice.

Even though Tiller will play in the spring game, Rhoads said Tiller’s injury has skewed the coaches’ ability to equally review each of the capabilities of the four players in contention for the starting spot at quarterback.

“It hasn’t given us an accurate assessment of guys playing at their full potential,” Rhoads said. “I don’t think it’s right to make a decision this early. I don’t need to, I’ve got plenty of time.”

Returning from an injury is receiver Josh Lenz, who saw limited time in practice due to an ankle ailment.

“I’m slowly but surely getting back into it,” Lenz said. “This week I’ll be doing everything, so I’m just glad to be back in spring ball.”

Defensive end Jacob Lattimer returned to the depth chart at the No. 1 spot on the left side, despite still being in legal trouble after being arrested for assault and interference with official acts in early March.

A change at right end has also occurred with Roosevelt Maggitt leapfrogging two-year starter Patrick Neal for the starting spot.

“As we went through the second half of last fall, [Maggitt] just kept turning it up as our most productive defensive end, albeit with a limited number of snaps,” Rhoads said.

“He’d play 15-to-25 snaps a game and end up with the most production points, and then the game that he had to a little bit more, those numbers decreased.”

Rhoads continued on to say Neal is also playing better than years past, noticing improvement in his technique and counter moves.

Even though Neal has temporarily lost his starting spot, changes in the depth chart during spring are anything but set in stone.

“No depth chart spot is locked in,” said safety Jacques Washington. “It’s a continuous improvement. You can get your spot taken any day.”

Jake McDonough garnered the starting spot at defensive tackle over Cleyon Laing after being touted as one of the most improved players this spring.

“Jake’s footwork and his ability to take on those blocks and hold the point have been outstanding,” Rhoads said.

McDonough was named the starter at defensive tackle last spring before having his spot taken by Bailey Johnson, who returned from an injury. The Urbandale native still saw action in all 12 games.

“We’re competing pretty hard every day,” McDonough said. “And it’s fun to see people improve every day.”

Freshmen Jevohn Miller who left high school a semester early has climbed his way to the No. 2 spot at weak-side linebacker.

“It’s so fun to have a player of his energy and personality,” Rhoads said of Miller. “He brings it every day, he comes in and apologizes every day for his mistakes and he’s like a sponge, he wants to learn it all, he’s been very productive.

“You can have all the heights and weights and speed you want, but you’ve got to be a football player if you’re going to get on the field and he is a football player.”