With spring practice more than halfway finished, ISU football coach Dan McCarney met with the media Tuesday to discuss several significant depth chart changes.

The most noticeable change was Jason Harris passing Jason Scales for the No. 2 running back position behind Stevie Hicks. Scales missed all of last year with a knee injury, and – after Hicks went down with a groin injury – it was the Harris and Greg Coleman show in the backfield.

Harris showed flashes of speed and talent in limited action last year, but poor ball security led to his eventual phasing out of the offense.

Still, McCarney said, Harris has shown the improvement and consistency necessary to pass the still-recovering Scales.

“Harris has just been a little more consistent, and Scales missed some practice time,” McCarney said. “He has had some soreness in that knee, and when you’re not out their practicing it’s tough to move keep you ahead – but Harris has definitely improved.”

McCarney said Harris still needs to work on valuing the football, but his talent is tough to keep on the sidelines.

“He’s only had one fumble this spring, but that’s one too many,” McCarney said.

“Speed-wise, he’s definitely one of the five fastest kids on this team and he’s definitely our fastest back, so we’d like to have him involved.”

McCarney said Scales’ soreness in his knee is not unusual and will just take time to heal completely.

The backup quarterback situation is also falling into place, with senior Kyle Van Winkle seemingly securing the No. 2 position.

“Van Winkle has been playing better – it’s not even close,” McCarney said. “He’s playing so well.

“He’s so much better than at any other time in his career.”

There have also been some movers and shakers on the defensive side of the ball, as well, with freshman James Smith climbing the depth charts at strong safety.

Smith’s emergence in the secondary is good news, McCarney said, especially for a unit that is returning only one of its four starters from last year’s team.

“We’ve really improved [defensively] so far this spring,” McCarney said. “James Smith has really improved and is now No. 1 at strong safety.”

The other area of concern on defense has been the defensive line, which returns only two of its four starters after the graduation of four-year starter Nick Leaders and the dismissal of Jason Berryman.

Stephon Dale has taken over the top spot at nose tackle to replace Leaders, and Kurtis Taylor has put himself in position to hold down the defensive end position.

“I’m really excited about the opportunity,” Taylor said. “I really just want to continue to improve each day. I’m not content with mediocrity.”

McCarney also said no one’s spot is guaranteed yet. He said there’s still a lot of time between now and the first game in the fall.

“We’ve got a long ways to go,” McCarney said. “Everyone that’s a No. 1 has to continue their improvement, as do our backups. A lot of jobs are still wide open in there.”

McCarney also announced new coaches Shawn Simms, outside linebackers coach, and Brian Schneider, special teams coordinator and tight ends coach, will be the head coaches for the spring game April 15.