The Iowa State football team has suddenly found a plethora of wide receivers on its roster, prompting Coach Dan McCarney to look at his passing game and place more emphasis on executing it well.

Tyrone Watley, a senior transfer, is one of the leading candidates to be on the receiving end of many passes. A starting position opposite Ed Williams is Watley’s for the taking.

“I’m just glad to have the opportunity to play in the Big 12 Conference,” Watley said. “It’s going to be exciting with the Texas schools and the traditional Big Eight schools. The level of competition will up my own play.”

Watley came to ISU from Pacific University after his old school eliminated the football program. “It was not too nice of a situation,” Watley said. “I heard about the decision from some of my relatives who had heard about it on the evening news. The coaches and players were shocked.”

The move might have come at a perfect time for Watley. The passing game is being emphasized and he is one of the leading candidates for a position that needs a body. “I have a great chance to play here. I just need everything to go smooth and get the time in the system,” he said.

Watley said he knows increasing the wide receiver role in the offense just a small amount will take pressure off of other positions.

“With me, Ed [Williams], and the other receivers, we can make Troy Davis’ game a lot easier,” he said. “If the defenses are going to put nine players in the box, we’re going to beat them with our passing game.

“When you have a player like Davis, you don’t want his talents wasted because defenses are able to key on him,” Watley said.

Watley has confidence that the new passing attack will succeed. “We’re going to surprise quite a few people,”Watley said.

Spring workouts helped the cause. “Coming here in the spring and getting to know my teammates helped me get familiar with the entire system,” Watley said. He added that the strength coach helped out tremendously.

Watley is excited about what this season has to offer. “I play better against good teams. Plus I want this to be my best season,” he said. “Coming into this environment gives me the indication that we will have a real, real good season.

“I dream about this stuff.”