Cyclones camp: Depth prompts switch for Lynn

AMES - Even though Kenneth Lynn's request to change positions from defensive back to wide receiver happened in the middle of spring practice, it materialized rather organically.

Lynn met with coaches last week and both sides agreed the move would benefit Iowa State's football team. Injuries at wide receiver played a role, but it happened largely because of the impression made by other players in the secondary.

Nigel Tribune, Sam Richardson, Brian Peavy, Jomal Wiltz and De'Monte Ruth have made their presence known the first few weeks of spring drills.

'Because we have five (guys), we saw the ability to do a little safety movement with (Ruth) to see if we can find our four best safeties and our four best corners,” Coach Paul Rhoads said.

Richardson's return as a senior and Tribune as junior provide experience at both corner spots; each started at least 10 games a year ago.

The addition of Wiltz as a junior college transfer and Peavy as a red-shirt freshman has elevated the group even more.

'(Peavy) and Wiltz are really improving the entire room by making everybody play better,” said secondary coach Maurice Linguist. 'The best thing you like about Peavy and Wiltz, they are right in your eye looking at you saying ‘Yes sir, no sir.'”

At 5-foot-9 and 184 pounds, Peavy learned to use his strength against opponents instead of sheer size. Rhoads said he has seen him do that consistently.

'I'm a Brian Peavy fan,” Rhoads said. 'Brian Peavy practices hard. Brian Peavy practices intense. Brian Peavy learns.”

'That is great to hear from your head coach,” Peavy said. 'I feel like you do what they say and execute with maximum effort every day, then what else could he say about you?”

Going against a big receiving core with D'Vario Montgomery, Allen Lazard and Quenton Bundrage has accelerated Peavy's learning curve.

NOTES

l After a short stay in the hospital with a head and neck injury, safety Kamari Cotton-Moya returned to practice on a limited basis. He will be held out of full contact.

'It's hard to hold him back. He wants to hit,” Rhoads said.

l Lack of depth at running back worsened when sophomore Martinez Syria re-aggravated a neck injury. Sophomore Tyler Brown and red-shirt freshman Mike Warren will carry the load until freshmen Sheldon Croney and Joshua Thomas arrive on campus.