Following the first day of fall football practice, Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell met with the media Monday to discuss the team. Here are some of the main takeaways.

Matt Leo adapting to Division I

At a towering 6-foot-7, 265 pounds, defensive lineman Matt Leo has all the physical tools to be a star at the Division I level. He just doesn’t have the experience.

Leo, who came to Iowa State after two years at Arizona Western, is originally from Australia. He hadn’t been back to Australia for over a year until he took a trip home earlier this month.

“He got through that spring acclimation piece that we tried to get him through,” Leo said. “We’re excited for him to really get into really needed reps that he’ll need all fall.”

Leo will be one of the contenders for a starting spot on an inexperienced defensive line in 2017. Sophomore JaQuan Bailey is one of the most experienced players on the defensive line even though he’s only been at Iowa State for a year.

Leo’s size will give him an immediate advantage on day one, but his lack of experience stands in the way. Iowa State hopes he can get enough reps in the fall to make an impact when September 2 rolls around.

Squad gets bigger, stronger over summer

Even though teams aren’t allowed to run official practices during the summer, players can still do individual workouts along with strength and conditioning during the offseason.

According to Campbell, Iowa State’s players took full advantage of that this summer.

“Our kids spent the entire offseason doing what I call ‘perfecting their craft,’” Campbell said. “Those are the things that when it’s the third or fourth quarter and it’s that critical play you have to make, that’s what you rely back on.”

A year ago, Iowa State had just one player who could bench press 400 pounds or more. Now?

“I think we’re somewhere around 15, 16 guys that can do that,” Campbell said. “Guys like Ray Lima, Robby Garcia and Oge [Udeogu], and the list goes on and on… a lot of credit goes to coach Wade, a lot of credit goes to the investment of our team.”

Campbell also said the younger players on the offensive and defensive lines look the part of Big 12 linemen.

Kamilo Tongamoa set to arrive soon

Kamilo Tongamoa, one of the most highly sought-after junior college players in the nation last year, still hasn’t arrived on campus. Tongamoa could be in line for playing time on the defensive line as soon as he arrives.

“Kamilo Tongamoa will be here,” Campbell said. “Not here yet. He is finishing up classes. It’s not a shock to anybody, we kind of knew this was a situation that he had to finish up some classes late.”

Campbell said the team expects Tongamoa to arrive “sometime this week.”