Iowa State Offensive Depth Chart - Kent State
ISU released the depth chart for the Kent State game earlier today.
Cyclones.com - Depth Chart vs. Kent State
Offense Notes:
Coach Chizik said several positions are still up for grabs. It is anyones guess who will start at RB, my guess is still Robinson, but it sounds like all three will play. Arnaud is listed at #2 on the depth chart, but will Phillip Bates make it in the game first? I was thinking Patrick Neal might make the depth chart, but he is not listed. I was surprised to see Trey Baysinger on the depth chart, hopefully he can keep his redshirt.
Iowa State Cyclones - Offensive Depth Chart
Monday, August 27
QB #7 Bret Meyer
#4 Austen Arnaud
RB #6 Jason Scales or
#3 JJ Bass or
#23 Alexander Robinson
FB #84 Derrick Catlett
#26 Taylor Mansfield
TE #41 Ben Barkema
#99 Nick Howe
WR #1 Todd Blythe
#9 Euseph Messiah
WR #5 RJ Sumrall
#82 Marquis Hamilton or
#18 Wallace Franklin
RT #63 Ben Lamaak
#71 Trey Baysinger
LT #75 Doug Dedrick
#67 Matt Hulbert
C #60 Brandon Johnson
#52 Mike Knapp
RG #70 Tom Schmeling
#76 Lee Tibbs
LG #73 Reggie Stephens
#66 Joe Blaes
Iowa State Defensive Depth Chart - Kent State
ISU released the depth chart for the Kent State game earlier today.
Cyclones.com - Depth Chart vs. Kent State
Defense Notes:
Coach Chizik said several positions are still up for grabs. Allen Bell and James Smith moved to #1 on the new depth chart. I was surprised that Drenard Williams was nowhere to be found. Derec Schmidgall is listed at 222 pounds as a backup SAM linebacker and 223 pounds as a backup WILL 
Four junior college players are listed on the two deeps. Bell is a starter and Chris Lyle, Chris Weir and Michael Bibbs are listed as second teamers.
Iowa State Cyclones - Defensive Depth Chart
Monday, August 27
DE #47 Kurtis Taylor
# 25 Nick Frere
WE #29 Rashawn Parker
#83 Travis Ferguson
#55 Christopher Lyle
NG #71 Athyba Rubin
#82 Bailey Johnson
DT #93 Bryce Braaksma
#56 Chris Weir
WILL #15 Alvin Bowen
#23 Derec Schmidgall or
#32 Josh Raven
MIKE #54 Jesse Smith
#43 Fred Garrin
SAM #16 Jon Banks
#24 Derec Schmidgall or
#14 Michael Bibbs
DB #13 Allen Bell
#3 Zac Sandvig
DB #11 Chris Singleton
#9 Devin McDowell
S #21 Caleb Berg
#23 Steve Johnson
S #2 James Smith
#20 Brandon Hunley
Iowa State Special Teams Depth Chart - Kent State
ISU released the depth chart for the Kent State game earlier today.
Cyclones.com - Depth Chart vs. Kent State
Special Teams notes:
It was good to see Josh Griebahn’s name listed in so many places. He came to ISU on scholarship, but went off for a couple years. He has battled back to win the kick-off and holder jobs and is listed #2 at kicker and punter. I would say he is earning his scholarship. It will be interesting to see who returns kicks on Thursday. Williams and Sumrall are listed as number ones, but Allen Bell, Zac Sandvig, JJ Bass and Alexander Robinson could also figure in. Mike Brandtner is a solid punter and Zac Sandvig could be special as a punt returner.
Iowa State Cyclones - Special Teams Depth Chart
Monday, August 27
PK #37 Bret Culbertson
#19 Josh Griebahn
KOS #19 Josh Griebahn
P #13 Mike Brandtner
#19 Josh Griebahn
KR #7 Drenard Williams
#5 RJ Sumrall
PR #3 Zac Sandvig
#7 Drenard Williams
DS #48 Matt Purvis
#49 David Wonders
H #19 Josh Griebahn
#24 Derec Schmidgall
Iowa State Cyclones Wide Receiver Depth Chart Projection
Iowa State appears to have a good situation at receiver. Todd Blythe, RJ Sumrall and Milan Moses all have two plus years of experience. Blythe holds most of the Cyclone career receiving marks including 26 career touchdowns. However, no other returning Cyclone receiver has a touchdown reception in their career. If ISU is going to be successful in 2007 the receivers need to step up and make plays. I expect the Cyclones to go about six deep at receiver.
#1 Todd Blythe (6-5, 214) - Senior #
If Todd stays healthy in 2007 he should have a huge year. I have a feeling that Coach McFarland is going to put Todd in one-on-one situations with cornerbacks and I feel good about #1 winning those matchups. He should be hungry after having a so-so 2006 campaign catching 34 balls for 484 yards; missing 3 games with a virus. The offseason reports are that Todd has improved his route running, added strength and knocked a couple tenths off his 40 time. He has worked on becoming a complete wide receiver. If the offensive line can give Bret time to throw; I expect Blythe to break a few Cyclone single season school receiving records.
YEAR REC YDS TD
2006 Season 34 484 8
2005 Season 51 1000 9
2004 Season 39 833 9
2007 Prediction 64 1139 11
#5 RJ Sumrall (6-1, 203) - Junior #
RJ Sumrall should see his numbers increase with the graduation of Austin Flynn and Jon Davis. Sumrall has been solid in his first two years averaging 23 catches and 311 yards. He makes the the tough catches and moves the chains. RJ is still looking for his first touchdown as a Cyclone, but I expect him to get in the end zone early in 2007.
YEAR REC YDS TD
2006 Season 25 310 0
2005 Season 20 311 0
2007 Prediction 37 420 3
#82 Marquis Hamilton (6-3, 220) - Sophomore #
Big-Body is projected to be the number three wide receiver when the season opens next Thursday. Marquis has good size and should be a target in the red zone. He will rotate in and out with the other talented Cyclone receivers.
YEAR REC YDS TD
2006 Season 6 68 0
2007 Prediction 22 310 2
#32 Milan Moses (6-1, 203) - Senior #
It is easy to root for Milan Moses. He loves the Cyclones, he always has a smile on his face and he battled a disease to get back on the playing field. Moses was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease during the 2005 season. After missing the entire 2005 season and the beginning of the 2006 season, Milan put together a good second half of the 2006 season catching 24 balls for 282 yards. He seems to have conquered the disease and is back to his normal playing weight of 203 pounds. Moses is a gamer and I think he will make the most of his opportunities as a senior.
YEAR REC YDS TD
2006 Season 24 282 0
2005 Season 4 41 0
2004 Season 14 155 0
2007 Prediction 34 397 3
#9 Euseph Messiah (5-10, 171) - Junior #
Euseph is an undersized walk-on receiver that got his first opportunity to play in 2006. The new coaching staff loves the little guy and will find ways to get the playmaker the ball.
YEAR REC YDS TD
2006 Season 3 28 0
2007 Prediction 15 158 0
#18 Wallace Franklin (6-3, 169) - Junior
Franklin comes to Iowa State from Butler Community College where he averaged more than 20 yards/catch and had seven touchdowns. “Crazy Legs” adds an element of speed to this group of wide receivers and gives the Cyclones a home run threat. I am worried he will have a tough time getting off the line of scrimmage against Big 12 opponents, but I think he will have some big moments in 2007.
YEAR REC YDS TD
2007 Prediction 18 320 2
#14 Houston Jones (6-1, 194) - Sophomore #
Barring injury I don’t expect Jones to get much action this year. He continues to make progress in his transition from QB to WR and he should make in impact as a junior and senior.
#17 Joel Zitek (6-2, 200) - Sophomore #
Zitek has had a good fall camp and may help the team in the future.
#24 Jake Williams (6-2, 202) - Freshman #
The former West Des Moines Valley wide receiver has also looked good in fall camp.
#2 Derron Montgomery (6-1, 176) - Freshman #
Montgomery is getting back to the team after another knee injury. He has top end speed, if he can stay healthy expect him to be a factor in the future.
#87 Alex Sandvig (6-0, 184) - Freshman
Sandvig looks like a natural wide receiver. He runs smooth routes and has good speed and hands. He could make in impact on special teams in the near future.
Cyclone Running Back Depth Chart Projection
Who will be Iowa State’s starting Running Back when the Cyclones take the field against Kent State on August 30th? My best guess is Alexander Robinson, but Jason Scales and JJ Bass should see plenty of action as well.
#23 Alexander Robinson (5-10, 181) - Redshirt Freshman
Robinson was a high school phenom in Minneapolis where he rushed for 2340 yards and 31 TD as a senior. Coach McCarney compared his skill set and demeanor to Ellis Hobbs. I attended Mac’s farewell GDM Cyclone Club luncheon last year and he said “keep an eye on Alexander Robinson next year, he is going to be special”.
I had the opportunity to watch several practices last year and I came away very impressed with Robinson. The thing I liked most was his ability to get to the outside and turn the corner. After many years of running only between the tackles it will be refreshing to see a Cyclone RB get outside. I give Robinson the edge to be the starter because I think he adds another dimension to coach McFarland’s offense.
2007 Prediction: 145 carries, 798 yards, 6 TD
#6 Jason Scales (5-9, 212) - Junior
Jason Scales finally saw action last year after an injury plagued first two seasons. The former West Des Moines Valley stand out looked good at times before going down to injury again late in the year. His best game came against Kansas State rushing for 67 yards and a touchdown. Scales style of running is different then Robinson or Bass and he should work well as a compliment to the two quicker backs. I would expect to see Scales in short yardage and goal line situations and he should also be effective late in games to move the chains and run the clock.
2007 Prediction 100 carries, 412 yards, 6 TD
#3 JJ Bass (6-1, 206) - Junior
JJ Bass has been the most talked about Running Back this off season. He comes to Iowa State from El Camino CC where he rushed for 1200 yards and 13 TD. Bass was also effective as a receiver catching 20 balls for 2 more touchdowns. SuperPrep rated him as the #2 JUCO back in the 2007 class. I have only seen JJ on video, but he hits the hole hard and shows good hands out of the backfield. I suspect he will struggle a little with pass protection early, but should see increased playing time as the season goes on.
2007 Prediction: 95 carries, 475 yards, 4 TD
#15 Cameron Bell (6-1, 233) - Freshman
All reports indicate that the freshman has been very impressive early in camp. Bell is a big, bruising RB that could provide the Cyclones with a different look. My bet is that Cameron Bell will redshirt in 2007, but that could all change with an injury to one of the top three guys. If Scales goes down during the season don’t be surprised if Bell fills the short yardage role for the Clones.
2007 Prediction: Redshirt
#22 Jason Harris (5-11, 208) - Junior
Harris is a great athlete that is trying to find his best position on the field. He is a running back, turned defensive back, turned running back. Unfortunately, I think his best position may be safety and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him there again soon. His name isn’t popping up much on preseason reports. Is he buried on the depth chart? Is he dinged up? Has he moved back to safety? I am hoping the staff can find a way to utilize the speedy Harris this fall.
2007 Prediction: Switch to Safety
#39 Rickey Thompson (5-9, 200) - Junior
