ISU’s Daley making noise among deep receiving group

AMES - Dondre Daley stood idly by through Iowa State spring practices, finding it hard to watch. He knew he could make an impact on the field.

It was then, as he sat out with a torn rotator cuff, that the red-shirt junior vowed to be more engaged and focused than ever before. And the Cyclones are reaping the benefits of Daley's promise as the season-opener against UNI approaches.

'He's had a huge camp,” said offensive coordinator Mark Mangino. 'He's going to play a ton of snaps. He'll start games, he'll rotate and it just depends on where we're at with health. But Dondre Daley has had a huge camp and I'm pretty excited about him.”

Quenton Bundrage, Allen Lazard and D'Vario Montgomery cast a big shadow on the ISU receiving core, but it was Daley who made one of the biggest statements. His 6-foot-2, 191-pound frame isn't that of Lazard or Montgomery, but a more cerebral approach in preparation has made up for any deficiencies.

'This camp I took the time to sit down and watch more film and learn from (Mangino), study more and work on better practice habits,” Daley said.

The Tarpon Springs, Fla. native started five games last season and recorded 21 catches, 208 yards and a touchdown, but lacked consistency. Work in the film room and open dialogue with coaches rectified that and he's been able to set an example through action for some of the younger receivers.

Through Daley's rehabilitation this summer, he also started to gain perspective. He began understanding the root causes of his inconsistency and was able to make adjustments quicker than in previous years.

'When I get the ball thrown to me, I focus more on catching it,” Daley said. 'Last year, that's where I lacked. I would try to catch and run instead of looking it all the way in. (Mangino) and Coach (Paul) Rhoads harp on me about that: focus in and catch the ball.”

'Dondre can scoot, but he's doing more things underneath and coming across the field better than he has in the past,” Rhoads said.

Fifth-year senior quarterback Sam Richardson and the passing game will have plenty of options. Iowa State boasts one of the deepest wide receivers groups in the Big 12 and a newfound ability to make catches more consistently in traffic could make the Cyclones' air attack potent.

'Dondre has made a lot of great plays out there this camp and even this week in practice,” Montgomery said. 'He's one of those guys that makes a lot of plays. He's a quiet assassin.”

JUCO DEFENDERS

Defensive coordinator Wally Burnham has tried a lot of methods to make sure his junior college players are as prepared as they can be.

Ten players within the defensive depth chart have JUCO experience, but Burnham has tried to find ways to build them up mentally within reason. He's tested them in two-minute drills by having them play eight-straight reps, and has even given them reps that belonged to other players.

'You're always hoping for the moon, but they're not ready,” Burnham said. 'They're not ready to go out there and give us 40 snaps. They might not be ready until after the open week to get where we need to get them. They're working hard and we're giving them as many reps as we can.”

Linebackers Jay Jones and Jordan Harris are more likely to play more snaps while defensive linemen Demond Tucker, Jhaustin Thomas and Bobby Leath will play in short spurts.

Leath arrived at the start of fall camp from Coffeyville C.C., but didn't crack the opening-week depth chart. Although Rhoads believes the 6-foot-3, 310-pound junior will play in relief of starter Pierre Aka.

'Physically he's an impressive guy,” Rhoads said, 'and the more time gets and as the season starts to go, I think as he figures out, ‘OK, this is what it's all about,' I think the learning curve and his ability will take off.”

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