Iowa State is heading into fall camp with plenty still up in the air, but one spot on the defensive side looks a lot closer to settled than most.
As the Cyclones begin a new era under Jimmy Rogers, the roster overhaul has created all kinds of competition across the board. Rogers arrived after one year at Washington State, and Iowa State’s portal-heavy reset meant he had to work hard to bring in fresh talent. But at linebacker, the picture is already taking shape.
The Cyclones are expected to lean on a defense built around four down linemen, which cuts down how much they need from the linebacker group. In most looks, Iowa State should have three linebackers on the field, and in some packages only two. That makes the job a little more defined, and it also makes the likely starters stand out even more clearly.
At the top of that group is Washington State transfer Sullivan Schlimgen, who could end up being one of the best defensive players on the roster. He followed Rogers to Iowa State after a strong freshman season, and the expectation is that he’ll be a leader in the middle of the defense.
Alongside him, Carson Willich and Willie Breland appear to be the other names locked into the starting mix.
There will be other battles when camp opens, and plenty of uncertainty elsewhere on the roster. But linebacker is one area where Iowa State seems to already have a solid handle on what it wants to be. The group has experience, and the Cyclones will be counting on that to show up once the season gets rolling.
In Other News...
Iowa States New Offense Is About To Expose One Reality
Iowa States offense is about to enter the part of camp where the conversation shifts from installs and assignments to something a lot more revealing. Offensive coordinator Tyler Roehl said the Cyclones are nearing the start of contact practices, and with that comes a different kind of evaluation, one that tests both the body and the mind as players get forced into the kind of work his system demands.
Roehl has made clear this offense asks for toughness and commitment, and he believes the next phase will separate the players who can handle that standard from the ones still getting there. He also pointed to the growth he picked up during a previous NFL coaching stop, saying those experiences shaped the way he looks at competition now, which makes this stretch of camp especially important for what Iowa State is building. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa State Freshmen Are Suddenly In The Middle Of A Key Camp Battle
Fall camp has already given Jimmy Rogers a clear reminder of how much rebuilding Iowa State faces as he takes over a roster that has been turned over almost completely. Jaylen Raynor appears to have the quarterback job settled, but plenty of other spots remain open, and tight end is one of the more interesting battles to watch as the Cyclones sort through who can help right away.
Rogers pointed to freshmen Luke Galer and Drake DeBaun as promising options in that mix, which says plenty about both the opportunity in front of them and the uncertainty behind them. Tyler Fortenberry and Christian Greenlaw are still expected to get meaningful snaps, but if the young tight ends keep making a case in camp, that competition could become one of the quieter storylines that shapes how this offense looks when the season begins. [Read more 🡒]