As Iowa State heads into the 2010 season, it is doing so with a defensive line that is short on experience. Senior defensive end Rashawn Parker and junior defensive end Patrick Neal are the unit’s only returning starters.

The D-line will aim to be more consistent with the pass rush after finishing dead last in the Big 12 in sacks last season.

Parker has embraced the leadership role up front for the Cyclones without departed linebacker Jesse Smith.

“He’s a vocal kid,” defensive line coach Curtis Bray said of Parker. “He encourages his teammates, but he’s not afraid to say what needs to be said. Sometimes guys don’t want to hear it, but it probably needs to be said. He’s not worried about hurting people’s feelings or being friends on the field when it comes to that.”

While the Cyclones are inexperienced in the middle of the line, Parker is confident in the younger players’ ability to step up when the first game gets underway.

“They’re working hard just as the guys last year were,” Parker said. “I don’t think you can make a fair comparison until the first game. That’s the first true test of game experience.”

Stephen Ruempolhamer is a new face at the top of the depth chart for the Cyclones as he takes over at nose guard.

Ruempolhamer recorded 22 tackles last season as a backup and has earned his way into the starting spot during the offseason.

“Stephen has gotten a lot better,” Bray said. “He’s had a great camp. He’s a physical presence inside with some athletic ability. He can rush the passer and stop the run. I’m excited to see him play this season, and I think he’s really improved his game.”

Even though the Cyclones were ninth in the league at stopping the run last year, allowing 2,154 rushing yards, the biggest issue for the defensive line is going to be the consistency of the pass rush.

The Cyclones recorded just 16 sacks in 13 games.

“We need to be more consistent with rushing the passer,” Ruempolhamer said. “That includes hitting our gaps, maintaining our gaps and making plays in our gaps. We work hard everyday on the little things to get better at rushing the passer.”

Parker and Ruempolhamer are joined on the line by newly-appointed starter, senior tackle Bailey Johnson.

“Bailey’s played better, and that’s a positive thing,” said coach Paul Rhoads. “On a defensive front, you’ve got to get off a block to go make a play, and the last three or four practices he’s done a great job of doing exactly that.”

The line is backed up by an all-sophomore linebacker corps with no previous starting experience. 

“We’re getting better,” Bray said. “We’ve made lots of improvements since last season, and hopefully we can show that on field in games. We’ve got a lot of guys with some experience. We’re still pretty young, but its good to have Rashawn Parker back. He’s a good leader for the defensive line.”