Kene Nwangwu tallied 2,470 return yards (most in the program’s history and third in Big 12 history), averaged 26.8 yards per return (most in program history) and returned 92 kicks in his four years as the Cyclones’ primary kick returner. Not exactly easy to replace.

Nwangwu was drafted in the fourth round by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2021 NFL Draft. And Iowa State is open to many options to find the next option at the kick returner spot as fall camp rolls on. Emphasis on many.

In media availability on Wednesday, Running Game Coordinator/Receiver and Running Backs coach Nate Scheelhaase was asked about his group, and the possibilities of how they’ll be contributing to special teams.

One of the first names brought up was true freshman receiver Jaylin Noel, who helped out in the return game in high school while also lettering in track as a high jumper and sprinter. Scheelhaase knows, however, that lots of guys will be vying to take what was primarily Nwangwu’s spot in the return game.

“There’s some heavy competition back there right now, but I like where those young guys are at, and how they’ve pushed to be guys that we can utilize on special teams,” Scheelhaase said.

The young guys Scheelhaase referred to included Noel, but also running backs Deon Silas and Eli Sanders, both true freshman. Silas, like Noel, had experience in the return game in high school. 

With Breece Hall and Jirehl Brock returning as the assumed first and second-string running backs, younger players like those mentioned by Scheelhaase may decide that they want to find other ways to get touches, and an easy way to do that would be to thrive at returning kicks. Iowa State’s special teams are already a focal point of the offseason, with Fordham transfer Andrew Mevis stepping in to compete with long time place kicker Connor Assalley. Now, with Nwangwu off to the pro ranks, there is a spot to be filled in the return game as well. A big one.

Noel had 141 kickoff and 59 punt return yards in his 2019 high school season, and Silas had 573 total return yards in his high school tenure. Sanders doesn’t have any experience in the return game, but ran the 4×100 relay in track during high school, so one can assume the raw speed is there.

Those stats and experience venture to say that any of the three of them would at least be serviceable as they develop in the Cyclone football program. With Silas and Sanders sitting behind two starting running backs, and Noel coming into a receiving room that has Joe Scates, Xavier Hutchinson, and Sean Shaw Jr. already in the fold, they may see more opportunity getting looks returning the ball.

Scheelhaase also referenced Hall and Xavier Hutchinson when talking about guys to replace Nwangwu. He noted that they have both asked to be considered in special teams, with Hall asking head coach Matt Campbell directly. When asked about what it says about Hall that he wants to contribute on special teams while already being talked about as a potential All-American running back, Scheelhaase said it wasn’t shocking.

“I think the more that you’re around Breece the more you would see that it doesn’t surprise us at this point… he’s hungry to do more and learn more.”

Hutchinson is coming a good 2020 season of his own, taking home Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year as Iowa State’s big receiving threat.