His numbers and success point to an early exit from Iowa State for receiver Todd Blythe.

But the stats don’t take into account the receiver himself, who said he is committed to finishing his time with the Cyclones football team.

“I still have two more years at Iowa State,” Blythe said. “I love being a college student and being a college athlete and everything that goes with it. I fully expect and plan to play two more years here.”

Blythe was named to the all-Big 12 first team last season and was a second team all-conference player as a freshman in 2004. That year he earned a spot on the freshman All-American second team.

With all the accolades early in his career, Blythe could be satisfied with his accomplishments.

Not so, said his position coach.

“The biggest thing I don’t do is build him up, let him listen to the hype,” said receivers coach Mike Grant. “I don’t tear him down either, but I’m always looking for ways to make him better.

“He’s the same way. He always comes into the meeting room with the attitude of how can I improve. No one is perfect but we’re striving for perfection. That’s what keeps him going.”

Blythe is already the Cyclones all-time leader in touchdown catches with 18.

He moved into the top spot with a 27-yard second-quarter grab against Kansas, his 16th score in just his 23rd career game.

He added two touchdowns against TCU in the Houston Bowl, padding his cushion over former Cyclone stars Ed Williams and Keith Krepfle.

Blythe is fourth on the ISU all-time receiving yards list and ninth in career receptions.

The climb up the Iowa State record books means national attention from college opponents and professional scouts.

“At this point, all the agents that call I tell them, ‘If you want to contact me at the end of the season, maybe I’ll talk to you a little bit more,'” Blythe said. “But that’s still going to be for after next season.”

Although he said he is committed to finishing his eligibility at Iowa State, Blythe said there is a remote possibility he would consider a jump to the NFL – only if there is nothing left for him to do with the Cyclones.

“If it came to that [a chance to go to the NFL], I’d sit down with my coaches and if we decided there was nothing more at this level to prove and nothing more for the team to prove, then maybe it’s an option,” Blythe said.

“There are always things you can get better at, no matter who you are. There are always things to work on and always things to get better at.”

Grant said he is honest with his receiver about his options, letting Blythe know what they are.

“He’s got a lot of work to do if he wants to get to that level,” Grant said. “We talk about [the NFL] a lot. I show him, here’s where you are, and then I put in tapes and show him what’s out there. He knows he’s not there yet. Maybe after 12 or 13 games [this season] he will be.

“[The NFL] is one of his goals in life. If he can take that and be a first rounder, you can never make that money up – by all means take it. But I think if he’s not (going to be a high draft pick) he’ll be back.”

Grant is in a difficult situation. On one hand, he is looking out for the best interest of his player, but on the other, losing Blythe one season early is a huge blow to Iowa State’s success as a team.

“I wouldn’t encourage (leaving early) because I don’t want him to leave, obviously,” Grant said. “But I would understand.”

Blythe’s 1,000 receiving yards last season made him just the third player in Iowa State history to reach that plateau and the first since Lane Danielson in 2002.

The individual numbers continue to impress, but Blythe has his sights set on something other then himself.

“I don’t set many personal numerical goals, but I want to be better this year then I was last year,” Blythe said. “Whether that’s more catches and yards, who knows. But more then anything, I want more wins.”