Coach Matt Campbell wasn’t the only new face to make an impact for the Iowa State football team in 2016.

A number of true freshmen stepped up and contributed for the Cyclones on the gridiron in 2016, led by the likes of Deshaunte Jones and David Montgomery.

Jones, a wide receiver, caught 37 passes in 2016 and gained 536 yards. Jones also scored six touchdowns. Only Allen Lazard finished ahead of Jones in receptions, yards and touchdowns.

Deshaunte’s younger brother, Keontae, will join the Iowa State football team in 2017 as a defensive back.

On the ground, Montgomery took over as the No. 1 running back. Montgomery led the team in rushing yards with 563, and his 5.2 yards per carry was highest on the team among players with 20 or more carries.

“I felt like if I came up here and worked hard and worked my tail off, I would get that opportunity,” Montgomery said.

Freshmen made a big impact on special teams, too. Kene Nwangwu, a running back and kick returner, led the Cyclones with 896 kickoff return yards. Nwangwu flashed his breakaway speed on his 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against West Virginia in the season finale.

One notable freshman made a big impact on the defensive side of the ball as well. Defensive end JaQuan Bailey recorded 23 tackles and 3.5 sacks in his rookie campaign. JaQuan’s brother, Joshua, is also a defensive lineman on the team.

Some freshmen didn’t get the chance to play but will certainly be expected to contribute in 2017 as a redshirt freshmen.

Tight end Chase Allen and offensive lineman Sean Foster are two of the most important members of the previous freshman class who did not appear in a game in 2016. Allen’s height and length will give quarterbacks Jacob Park and Joel Lanning a big target across the middle in the passing game.

“He’s a big, long, smart, athletic kid,” tight end coach Alex Golesh said. “I think mentally he was ready [to play last year]. You’d rather have him ready to go physically and mentally rather than just mentally.”

Certain members of the 2017 recruiting class will likely be asked to contribute right away. Junior college transfers Matt Leo and Ray Lima will play big roles for the Iowa State defensive line, and a pair of graduate transfers — Dave Dawson from Michigan and Khaliel Rodgers from USC — will see the field as part of the offensive line.

Junior college addition Matt Eaton, a 6-foot-4 wide receiver, should make for a dangerous weapon alongside Lazard and Jones.

“You get a guy like [Eaton] who is a No. 1 [wide receiver] too,” Campbell said. “He’s a No. 1 type receiver in your offense. Now all of the sudden, where are you going to spin the coverage?”