Throughout Iowa State’s 8-5 season, fan support and optimism boomed. On Saturday, a trio of Iowa State honorary captains for the spring game saw the same thing in Ames as the fans do.

Ellis Hobbs, Ahtyba Rubin and Chris Washington played in a combined 306 NFL games, but the three are back in Ames to get a closer look at what is changing in Ames.

“I think out of everything, the best thing about [returning] is I feel it,” Hobbs said. “I feel the culture and the lifestyle now.

“You outwardly see it now; you see it through the facilities; you see it through the uniforms; you see it through the players. It’s such an amazing feeling to understand that now there’s a culture and a lifestyle of excellence.”

While Hobbs sees progress in the team and the program, he’s also aware of Iowa State’s star in the secondary: Brian Peavy.

“I’ve heard about him,” Hobbs said. “As far as seeing him, I haven’t been able to breakdown game film. TV, he looks great, right. But I want to see the other side of it because the talent is obviously there, and so how do we break that down and more fit into what the next level is looking for.

“Obviously, me being [in the NFL], experiencing it, being able to give him some advice [can help]. I haven’t personally met him yet, but I’m looking forward to that introduction.”

Hobbs acknowledged the similarities in size between himself and Peavy, but the former New England Patriots cornerback honed in on the two’s demeanors.

When Peavy’s been brought up to Hobbs, Peavy’s mentality has been mentioned. Hobbs explained the importance of the will to win, but Hobbs said proving yourself repeatedly is key for the cornerback position.

Last season, Peavy was assisted by a solid front seven. Rubin — a former sixth-round draft pick in 2008 — pinpointed NFL hopeful and former Cyclone Joel Lanning out of last season’s team.

“It’s awesome, man, just to come back here and see all the spots I used to hit up and walk down Welch [Avenue],” Rubin said. “I like the way the direction of the team is going and the culture. Man, I’m excited to be here.”

Rubin has been in the NFL from 2008-17, spending time with the Cleveland Browns, the Seattle Seahawks, the Atlanta Falcons and the Denver Broncos.

Even with Rubin’s NFL career, the defensive lineman spends his Saturday’s with the Cyclones on his mind.

“We have games on Sundays, so that Saturday, we’re just sitting there, waiting around, getting ready for a game,” Rubin said. “I’ll just tune in and watch the Iowa State or the Iowa game or the big game that week. I’m tuning in every week.”

Rubin spent his Sundays last season with the Broncos and Falcons, but this season is up in the air.

Rubin said he and his agent will wait until after the NFL Draft to see what options they have.

“I mean, I’m just open,” Rubin said. “I had a successful 10 years [in the NFL]. Whatever happens, happens.”

Washington leads the Cyclones in career total tackles and has seen Iowa State at its highs and lows.

Washington walked into the Jacobson Athletic Building with his Iowa State Hall of Fame ring on his left hand and his San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl ring on his right hand.

Washington is one of Iowa State’s most loyal former players. Since 2009, Washington has made an annual trip back to Ames.

Washington explained his transition in the NFL at Tampa Bay and then heading to San Francisco taught him about Iowa State’s recent rise.

“That was great [to go to San Francisco], and I saw why we were so unsuccessful in Tampa Bay because it was the attitude,” Washington said. “Same thing here, same thing they’re talking about in there, it’s the attitude.”

The culture and the product on the field have impressed the former Iowa State players, but the man at the helm has left a positive impression on the trio, too.

“Having the opportunity to play for Bill Belichick, Andy Reid and those type of guys and see those types of coaches,” Hobbs said. “They’re doing exactly what Campbell does, as far as the details, the process and things of that nature and over and over and over again.

“Someone like him, I don’t want to start putting bugs in people’s ears because I don’t want him to go anywhere, but he would transition into the league excellently.”