There’s a new name in the Iowa State backfield, and for the first time in half a decade, it’s not “Davis.”

When Ennis Haywood sprang onto the scene last year in limited duty, Cyclone fans everywhere breathed a collective sigh of relief.

The future of ISU football may be in safe hands, after all.

With the prospect of a non-Davis season coming as early as 2000, fans and coaches alike were happy to see another talented back carrying the ball for the Cyclones.

“I just want to do anything to help the team,” Haywood said. “If I get some playing time, I just want to seize the moment.”

Despite taking only 30 carries last season, Haywood seized the moment to the tune of nearly 180 yards and even snagged a handful of passes along the way.

The 6-0, 210-pound tailback also showed the advantage of a north-south runner, losing only seven yards over the course of the season.

“Straight forward,” Haywood said. “I give a little something here or there to keep the defender off balance, but that’s my style —straight forward.”

The sophomore impressed scouts before coming to ISU with solid performances at Carter High School in Dallas, Texas.

Touted by several publications as one of the top 100 players in the region, Haywood notched 85 tackles, rushed for more than 800 yards and led his team to the playoffs despite playing injured for the balance of the year.

After his exciting debut last season in the cardinal and gold, Haywood affirmed his potential in ISU’s spring game, streaking to 149 yards and one touchdown on only nine carries.

And while Haywood may be Davis’ heir apparent, what makes 1999 even more exciting is the fact that the post-Davis era isn’t here just yet.

After back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns, Darren Davis is back for his final year, and he is seemingly hungrier than ever.

The 5-8, 190-pound senior did nothing last year but chalk up 1,166 yards on the ground and another 242 in the air.

Including his 1,005 rushing yards from ’97 and 204 from ’96, Davis has nearly 2,500 yards already in his career and may become the only Cyclone back ever to reach the 1,000-yard milestone in three separate seasons.

In 1999, though, Davis swears it isn’t the personal glory that’s motivating him.

“We’ve recruited a great class, and we have a lot of people back,” Davis said. “This has to be the year. This could be the year we shock the world.”

In addition to another solid back in Haywood, Davis’ supporting cast features the most experience and proven talent in recent memory. Most important to Davis, however, is a sense of teamwork.

“In the past, we haven’t come together as a team,” Davis said. “Some games, our defense has come on strong, but our offense has been sluggish. Other games, it’s our kicking team that plays the best. We just need to come out and play as a team and not as a bunch of individuals.”

Asked if he fears for job security, Davis is all smiles.

“I know what Ennis can do,” he said. “He’s not going to take my position — he’s just going to be there to learn from me.”

Davis does, however, appreciate the capable backup.

“If I go down or if I need a breather, it’s nice to know he’s going to step up and do the same thing.”

Head coach Dan McCarney is very big on the up-and-coming Haywood, but is also adamant that Davis is his starter.

“Darren’s definitely number one, but Ennis doesn’t want to give him anything,” McCarney said. “He wants to make sure he’s going to be in the picture, getting plenty of playing time.”

So entering 1999, ISU football has a pair of talented ball-carriers — a pair that McCarney says he “wouldn’t trade with anybody.”

Whether the remainder of the team will fall into place as nicely as is forecast remains to be seen.

But fans can cling to the knowledge that Cyclone potential in the backfield is almost limitless.