Walking out of a meeting room this past spring, defensive lineman Pierre Aka wasn’t happy.

The redshirt junior had just finished meeting with ISU coach Paul Rhoads, who was contemplating switching Aka to the other side of the ball.

“As a D-lineman, when you hear that, it’s kind of a demotion,” Aka said. “I think that was kind of a wake up call.”

Defensive tackle coach Shane Burnham said when he would play Aka in the past, his game just wasn’t consistent enough. He said Aka was missing the edge. Aka needed to play inside, so the coaching staff strongly considered shifting him to the offensive line.

“It was time to fish or cut bait for [Aka] at D-line,” said defensive tackle coach Shane Burnham. “He could either go or go somewhere else. And he responded.”

Aka didn’t let frustration set in. Instead, he said his mindset changed completely during the past offseason, making all the difference.

“I just took the extra step doing everything,” Aka said. “I just told myself to be a self starter and just attack in every drill, just attack everything…I think I took that in and had more of a different mindset, more than anything. Not being comfortable, always trying to do more and be more consistent in what I do.”

Aka played in seven games last season for the Cyclones, and registered six total tackles. Now, though, Aka has worked his way to the top of the pre-fall camp depth chart at defensive tackle – something many never thought would happen.

Though it was his love for the position more than anything that pushed him to get that extra step and to the top of the depth chart, Aka said.

“To be honest, [it’s] just the freedom of every play just going out there and going all out,” Aka said. “There’s something about that line seeing the quarterback standing there helpless…It’s always a great feeling. Getting the sack and doing that stuff is always fun – hitting someone every play.”

In the past, the run defense has been a major weak point for the defensive line. Now at the start of fall camp, players say that is changing.

Defensive tackle Devlyn Cousin says the biggest thing the line needs to do to stop the run is to simply be more physical inside.

“This year, we’re running straight through people,” Cousin said. “So it’s going to be man-to-man. Whoever is the most physical, that’s who wins. I love it.”

Aka said he is also trying to be more physical on the line, saying it will translate into faster play. But with the lineman in general, Aka has a slightly different goal for the group.

“Being bigger, people always want to use you as a first and second down guy,” Aka said. “[I want to try] to be a four down guy, that makes you more valuable to the team. I think all of us are trying to do that and be more physical and more efficient.”