He’s not the fastest receiver in the Big 12 Conference or the Cyclone roster. Nor is he the biggest or even the strongest. His stats will not dazzle you and neither will his style. He wasn’t even offered a scholarship after an All-State high school football career. Yet, senior Chris Anthony, is a preseason all-Big 12 selection at wide receiver. The reason for the selection, according to Cyclone Offensive Coordinator Steve Loney, is because Anthony is a “play maker.” “Every offense needs a play maker,” Loney said. “And Chris is just that for our team.” Entering the 2000 season, the former walk-on turned starter from Bettendorf, currently ranks 10th all-time on the ISU career receptions list and is coming off a junior season that saw him lead the team with 37 catches for 432 yards and one touchdown. Anthony’s highlights from last season included a seven catch performance for 89 yards against Texas Tech, a six catch for 92 yards against Kansas, and a six catch game for 38 yards against Colorado. He was offensive MVP for the Cyclones against Texas Tech and Kansas. Anthony would like nothing more than to build on his success from last year. He certainly took the right steps this off-season by working with quarterback Sage Rosenfels and the other receivers on the team three times a week. “I mostly worked on releasing [getting off the line], sharpening my routes and improving my hand-eye coordination,” Anthony, returning Cyclone captain, said. “I really tried to work on just looking the ball into my hands.” Anthony’s work in the off-season will surely pay dividends for the Cyclones this year as well as confuse opponents, who will see many new wrinkles from the ISU offense – due in large part to Anthony’s versatility as a receiver. “We can do all sorts of things with Chris,” Loney said. “Don’t be surprised to see him in some three and four receiver sets with J.J. [Moses], Jamaul Montgomery and Craig Campbell. We’re going to mix it up this year and take whatever the defense gives us,” he said. No matter what the defense gives the Cyclone offense this year, fans can expect nothing less than the same from Anthony, whose continued effort could put him atop the ISU record books, and his team into an extra game come December.