Iowa State leans on defense as it begins climb back to top of Big 12

Calif Poncy Staff Reporter

Over the next few weeks, The O’Colly sports staff will release its Big 12 preseason rankings in the form of team previews. This time, it’s the Iowa State Cyclones, which our writers picked to finish 12th.

After enjoying one of the most successful stretches in program history, the Iowa State Cyclones took a step back last season.

The losses of players such as quarterback Brock Purdy and running back Breece Hall proved costly for the Cyclones, who posted a 4-8 record despite boasting one of the best defenses in the Big 12. Still, ISU was competitive in almost every game, with six of its eight losses coming by seven points or less.

Looking to 2023-24, the Cyclones could be plagued by many of the same issues on offense, but there are reasons for optimism.

2022-23 leading rusher Jihrel

Brock returns to the top of the offensive pecking order as he looks to build upon what was shaping up to be a solid season before he suffered an ankle injury against Kansas in Week 5.

ISU also made a move to improve itself in the trenches, bringing in Ryan Clanton as its new offensive line coach. Clanton is experienced in the state of Iowa, spending the past five seasons as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Northern Iowa.

“Coach Clanton has got a great history of being a great developer,” said ISU coach Matt Campbell. “I think you look at his own collegiate career and his growth process and the success he had as a player to certainly what he’s been able to do at Northern Iowa and the success that he’s had at developing great offensive lines and great offensive linemen.”

The Cyclones are hopeful Clanton will improve a unit that struggled in both run and pass protection last season, leading to a Cyclone offense that was ranked 122nd in yards per rush and 105th in yards per pass.

Hunter Dekkers returns at quarterback after showing flashes of promise last year. He completed 66% of his passes and contributed 3,044 yards and 19 touchdowns, while throwing 14 interceptions in 12 starts.

Dekkers has plenty of arm talent, and with improved offensive line play, he could take a significant jump. The rest of the quarterback room consists of inexperienced Rocco Brecht and true freshman JJ Kohl. On defense, the Cyclones lost their all-time sack leader in edge rusher/linebacker Will McDonald IV and a staple of its defensive backfield in Anthony Johnson. TJ Tampa is one of the Big 12’s elite defensive players and should fill in nicely for Johnson as ISU’s defensive leader in the cornerback room. O’Rien Vance, 24, also returns, and after being third on the team in tackles last season, the veteran is expected to take another step forward this season.

Much like last year, Iowa State could rely heavily on its defense.

“We’re going to have to win in the margins,” Campbell said. “When we’re playing at our best, our detail and precision is as good as anybody in college football, and that’s what it’s going to take for us to have great success.”

In a Big 12 that has looked different each year and is full of parity, the Cyclones’ high-level defense gives them a calling card. The importance of a reliable unit can’t be overstated in a conference that is filled with question marks after portal movement and the addition of four new teams.

“Our ability to have success at Iowa State is probably different than a lot of places. We’ve got to go up the rough side of the mountain,” Campbell said. “There’s no easy fix, and we’ve got to win as a team. We’re not going to have just human erasers just running all over the film. Our team has to play together to win football games.” sports.ed@ocolly.com