Breakout Player

Christian Royston – Cartevious Norton, Running Back
Although the news of Jirehl Brock leaving the team is bad news for some, it bodes well for Norton. Even with Brock leading the ship in the 2022 season, Norton showed flashes of greatness as a true freshman. In the latter half of the season, when Norton was getting healthier, he was also doing a great job running the show.

With spring and fall camps behind him, Norton should be the healthiest and strongest he’s ever been. For a guy who has big play potential every time he touches the ball, we could be in for a big sophomore season from the running back that has the potential to lead the room.

Logan Shanks – Dimitri Stanley, Wide Receiver
With Jaylin Noel presumably taking over the wide receiver one spot, Stanley has a shot at seeing more production than ever before. The sixth-year senior out of Aurora, Colorado had career-high numbers in receptions (33) and yards (420) during his first year with the Cyclones after transferring from Colorado.

Stanley proved himself as a high-value player when given the opportunity in the offense. He went over 50 yards in four games last season, highlighted by a six-reception 90-yard game against Oklahoma. If he’s able to find more consistent time on the field, his veteran experience could make a major impact on the offense.

Pavle Markovic – Easton Dean, Tight End
The tight end room seems to be a group that could end up using some work. With the allegations against the leading tight end, DeShawn Hanika, the leading spot in this group could be open for anyone to take. I believe that Easton Dean will take that spot and run away with it with flying colors.

In 2022, being the backup to Hanika, Dean racked up 10 receptions for 129 yards with two touchdown receptions in 11 games played. Dean started six of those games for Iowa State and I firmly believe that he could explode this upcoming season for the Cyclones.

Rock of the team

Christian Royston – Gerry Vaughn, Linebacker
There are a handful of veteran players on the defensive side of the ball who have the consistency and leadership to be the rock of the team. However, in my mind, one name stands out above the rest.

Vaughn has the consistency and defensive prowess to put together another impactful season at an important spot on the team. Vaughn has the tools to keep big plays from happening in the middle of the field and already shown he can lead a team that saw many of its leaders move on after last season. Although Vaughn may not have a flashy season, his efforts on the field will be stable enough to allow those around him to succeed.

Logan Shanks – Jarrod Hufford, Offensive Lineman
Hufford currently holds the longest active start streak and played a huge role in helping the offense average close to 370 yards per game. His versatility and veteran presence on the offensive line has helped that group stay consistent over the last few seasons.

As a player who has seen the full range of ups and downs for the Cyclones, Hufford will certainly be able to help lead the offense if they start to struggle at any point this season. With new offensive line coach Ryan Clanton joining the staff this season, Huffard could also see himself developing into an NFL lineman which Clanton has experience in producing.

Pavle Markovic – Beau Freyler, Defensive Back
Iowa State still has a solid amount of veteran players returning on the defensive side of the ball. The one that sticks out to me the most and could bring the most leadership while also continuing to perform at a high level on the field is Beau Freyler.

Freyler is coming into his third season with Iowa State as one of the bigger names of a defensive back on the team. He really sprung up from year one to year two, as he made a significant jump in every stat he had, while also playing in two fewer games. Freyler is a tackling machine that does not let a lot get past him as he finished second on the team with 68 tackles in 2022. He could really make another jump in his performance this season, while also being a leader on this defense that could surprise a lot of people again this season.

Immediate Impact Player

Christian Royston – JJ Kohl, Quarterback
Although there is no telling when Kohl will take his first snaps, when he hits the field he will be a star. Kohl has the tools and talent to be a great quarterback, and now he has a good chance to do so in his first season with the team.

With no Hunter Dekkers, a heated battle between three possible candidates will determine who the starting quarterback will be. However, no matter who wins the initial quarterback competition, there is still time throughout the season for other quarterbacks to step up, like Kohl. With a strong recruiting class eager to make names for themselves, Kohl should be the player above the rest who could be impactful for the Cyclones.

Logan Shanks – Zaimir Hawk, Defensive Lineman
While Hawk isn’t listed on Iowa State’s initial week one depth chart, the three-star New Jersey native should see some time on the field considering the team’s recent departures. Over the past few seasons, we have seen the talent that defensive line coach Eli Rasheed has been able to produce and Hawk could be the next young playmaker to make an impact defensively.

With key players like Will McDonald, MJ Anderson and O’Rien Vance no longer on the team, the defense will be searching for players to take over their threatening presence on the line. If Hawk is able to work his way onto the field his 6-foot-3, 300-pound frame could help the Cyclones continue their reign as one of the best defenses in the Big 12.

Pavle Markovic – Kai Black, Wide Receiver
Urbandale’s own Kai Black will start off his collegiate career with the Cyclones giving the Cyclones much-needed three-star level talent at the wide receiver spot. Black was capable of making big plays for Urbandale with his 6-foot-3, 225-pound stature as he could become a big named, big-bodied receiver for Iowa State this season.

With the departure of Xavier Hutchinson, there seems to be a hole in the Cyclones’ leading receiver spot. Jaylin Noel has been with the program for two seasons which gives him the potential lead to succeed Hutchinson for the top spot at the position. However, I think Black could give the Cyclones a big boost and end up climbing the ranks on the depth chart a lot quicker than some may think.

Defensive Sleepers to Watch

Christian Royston – Will McLaughlin, Linebacker
McLaughlin is a player that I believe has a chance to break out this season. As a true freshman, McLaughlin had solid production. He didn’t have the most reps and still made the most of the limited opportunities he got.

McLaughlin finished the 2022 season with 14 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss and a fumble recovery in a tight game against Texas Tech. McLaughlin is continuing to be talked about with other big names in the linebacker room, which means he could see a significant uptick in reps. With his size and power, McLaughlin could be a tough defensive player to deal with for opposing teams.

Logan Shanks – Myles Purchase, Defensive Back
After earning the starting role last season, Purchase took a huge jump in production notching 41 tackles and three pass breakups in his sophomore season. While on paper he doesn’t seem to have a tendency to force turnovers, his ability to match up with receivers and force quarterbacks to look the other way was one of his greatest strengths last season.

I believe that he will be tested even more this season but will be able to back up his successful sophomore season and continue his rise as one of the Cyclone’s top corners. If Jim Thorpe Trophy watchlist member T.J. Tampa and Purchase are able to return to form as Iowa State’s top two corners, the team should have no problem locking down opposing teams’ passing games like they did last season.

Pavle Markovic – Jeremiah Cooper, Defensive Back
Cooper, coming off of his first collegiate season, had a good 2022 as a starting defensive back. In nine games played, Jeremiah finished with 32 total tackles, 19 on his own, with a pass defended.

Cooper unfortunately had his season come to an end after an injury halted him from fully finishing out his strong freshman campaign. Now going into his second season, I believe that Jeremiah could make a huge leap in his game that could turn a lot of heads.

Offensive Sleepers to Watch

Christian Royston – Jayden Higgins, Wide Receiver
With Xavier Hutchinson moving onto the NFL, there’s a large gap of production left behind in the wide receiver room. Although Jaylin Noel will do what he can to take over for Hutchinson, there will inevitably be some reps open for grabs.

Higgins has been a name that has come up so far in fall camp. He was also active in the spring season, which should serve him well as he looks to earn reps with the starters. Higgins is also a quarterback-friendly receiver – with his 6-foot-4, 210-pound frame – which will be a necessity with the inexperience in the quarterback room.

Logan Shanks – Abu Sama III, Running Back
All signs point to this season’s tailback room being a “running back by committee,” and we could see the starter changing week by week. While Sama may not be in line for a consistent starting role, that doesn’t mean he won’t get the chance to make plays early on if the veterans ahead of him aren’t able to produce in certain spots.

Sama’s blazing speed and ability to take advantage of holes created by the offensive line helped him rush for over 1,400 yards and find the endzone 29 times during his senior season. His tendency to rip off big runs could help spark the offense if they struggle to move the chains.

Pavle Markovic – Eli Sanders, Running Back
The leading running back for the 2022 season Jirehl Brock was accused of gambling over the past offseason. Brock left the program on his own not too long ago which leaves a big spot open in the running back room. Cartevious Norton seems to be the name that could lead Iowa State into this upcoming season as the lead back, but don’t count out third-year back Sanders for production this season.

Sanders had some solid production coming from the backup running back role as he played in eight games in 2022 running for 197 yards on 47 attempts. Sanders was also able to catch seven passes for 51 yards in those eight games played as well. Now with a potential chance to earn that starting running back spot, I believe Sanders could make a jump to become Iowa State’s leading back and be a sneaky player for the team as well.