I can’t remember a time since I’ve been at Iowa State that I actually realized Homecoming activities were happening on campus. I suppose not being in the greek system or never really being aware of anything besides actual football, it’s just something I’ve never thought about.

It must have been between the two straight seasons of “The Sopranos” I’ve been watching on DVD that my mind began to wander through the “McCarney Years,” and I came to realize how many great players he has brought in.

Since all the great players have been spread out since McCarney arrived in 1995, I’ve put together a McCarney All-Star team, in the spirit of Homecoming.

Obviously I can’t do every position, but I’ve come up with the key ones.

Starting with special teams, I can’t help but want to put J.J. Moses in as kick returner, but I think I’ll use him as one of my receivers and put Tyrone Watley in to bring back the kicks.

Watley holds the ISU record for most kick-return yards in a season and in a game from 1997, so I think he’ll do just fine.

As for a field-goal kicker, I want to say Tony Yelk. Just kidding.

Come to think of it, kickers under McCarney haven’t shined as bright as the years before, so I suppose Jamie Kohl, who had 54 field goals in 1998, will do the job.

Most would say Carl Gomez or Yelk for a punter, but my brother’s college roommate, an Urbandale graduate named Zak Kimble, was Gomez’s backup in 1995 and 1996 and he never saw any action, which crushed him. So Kimble, you’re the starting punter on my All-Star team.

Which brings me to my next point. With the offense I’ve chosen, I don’t foresee this team punting very often.

I like to call this the “Heisman Hopeful” backfield on my offense. Troy Davis at tailback. I think this team could use back-to-back 2000-yard rushing seasons and someone who rushed for over 175 yards 12 times.

Seneca Wallace at the quarterback position is also a no-brainer.

There have been many good players to come through at this position, but just sit back and imagine Davis and Wallace together.

It brings a tear to my eye.

I’ve decided against using a fullback and instead will go with a two running back set. I’ll add Ennis Haywood to complement Davis and Wallace. He was fairly bulky and can pick up some blocks and short passes.

If I did choose a fullback, Joe Woodley would have to get the nod. Talk about laying a mean hit on someone.

Along with Moses at receiver, Lane Danielsen needs to be there. With the amount of clutch catches he has made this year — and last — his hands are a must.

And who can forget the 90-yard touchdown pass from Todd Doxzon to Ed Wiliams in 1995 — the longest touchdown catch in Iowa State history? I remember the crowd going into chants of “Eddie.” For that, Williams, you are my third receiver.

As for the tight end, it’s a tossup between Andy and Josh Stensrud. So I’ll go with both of them, it’s my team so why the hell not.

For defense I haven’t had to look much past this year’s squad, so most of them get the nod and I will toss in a few others from past “McCarney Years.”

Dustin Avey led the Cyclones in interceptions in 1997 and 1999 and had a 94-yard interception returned for a touchdown in 1997 — the second-longest in ISU history.

Dawan Anderson is one of the better cornerbacks from recent years with his multi-interception seasons in 1996 and 1998.

Defensive tackle James Reed made 333 tackles from 1997 to 2000, good enough for eighth all-time at Iowa State — and good enough for my All-Star team.

Reggie Hayward will definitely make the team as his career as a defensive end at Iowa State won’t soon be forgotten.

The rest of the defense I’ll pull from this year’s squad, including defensive backs Atif Austin and Marc Timmons; linebackers Chris Whitaker, Matt Word and Jeremy Loyd; and linemen Tyson Smith and Jordan Carstens.

These guys are a huge part of a team that is shaping out to be Iowa State’s best ever, so they are all deserving of my All-Star team.

I’m in the process of trying to get this team rounded up for this weekend, but I’m running into a few snags.

It looks like Iowa State will have to face Texas Tech with the present team — which isn’t a bad thing — but it is fun to think about the respect this team would get if all of these players were under McCarney at the same time.

Kyle Moss

is a senior in journalism and mass communication from Urbandale.