With the dismissal of defensive end Jason Berryman from the ISU football team, the Cyclone defense has yet another hole to fill.

Already smarting after losing seven starters to graduation, the defense took another hit with the loss of Berryman.

Berryman was kicked off the team after being cited for being in a bar underage. After a sensational freshman season in 2003, when he was named Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year, Berryman spent 258 days in jail after pleading guilty to theft and assault in October 2004.

ISU coach Dan McCarney allowed Berryman back on the team before the 2005 season and Berryman didn’t disappoint. He was third on the team with 72 tackles. He led the team in sacks with 7.5 and was second with 11 tackles for loss. He was also named defensive most valuable player in the EV1.net Houston Bowl against Texas Christian University in December.

“Big shoes [to fill], no doubt about it,” McCarney said. “But we will move on. We always have; whether it’s injuries, graduation or behavior problems. We’ll move on.”

Nick Leaders and Cephus Johnson were defensive linemen who graduated after last season. Interior lineman Brent Curvey and end Shawn Moorehead are the only returning members of last season’s defensive line.

Curvey recorded 61 tackles as a junior and Moorehead had 34 tackles while splitting time with Johnson.

The Cyclones should get immediate help from junior Collins Eboh, a defensive end from Des Moines who has already spent time as a Cyclone.

Eboh played seven games for Iowa State in 2004, recording one tackle. Academic problems forced Eboh to spend last season at North Iowa Area Community College.

“He’s been here before,” McCarney said. “[Defensive line coach] Mike Nelson has coached him and [defensive coordinator] John Skladany has coached him. If he’s not in here making a run then we made a major mistake in bringing him back. I don’t think this is a major mistake. I think he’ll come in here and challenge.”

Last season Eboh had 40 tackles in seven games for NIACC, recording five sacks and 12 tackles for loss.

“He had a pretty quick twitch to him,” Skladany said. “We had a special pass rush package, and most of the year he was involved with it and he got into the games and did pretty well.

“We were excited with him.. We were disappointed when he left the first time with the academic situation. He’s got a chance to help us on the defensive line.”

With holes to fill on the defensive line, McCarney issued a challenge to those players already with the team.

“There are some guys back here working with [strength and conditioning coach] Matt McGettigan working out right now that better step things up,” McCarney said.

“They’re on scholarship. It’s their time and all that lifting and running and meetings and watching tape is one thing. Getting out on that field.and helping us win games on Saturday is the key.”

Skladany said Nick Frere was moved to defensive end before the Cyclones bowl game. He also mentioned John Machado, Travis Ferguson and Kurtis Taylor as players who have a chance to see time on the defensive line.

“Kurtis [Taylor] did a nice job last year on special teams,” Skladany said. “He’s a strong powerful guy. I’m hoping those guys can help us.”

Both McCarney and Skladany said they are excited about Rashawn Parker, a freshman defensive lineman from Ponca City, Okla., who signed with the Cyclones Wednesday.

“With Rashawn Parker, you watch his tape and every play seems like a highlight,” McCarney said. “He’s relentless, fast and athletic. He’s only 6’1” so some teams said no, but we said ‘yes’ real fast.”