Five Things to Watch: Iowa State football wraps up spring drills Saturday

AMES - For your consideration, here are five things you might keep an eye on today when Iowa State wraps up spring practice with a spring game at Jack Trice Stadium.

1

. Demond Tucker's debut

Before he officially set foot on campus, Tucker could feel the weight of expectations.

He was the junior college defensive player in 2013 at Copiah-Lincoln CC and joined the Cyclones hoping to make an immediate impact on the defensive line. The expectations haven't made Tucker waver on his goals.

'I use that as motivation because I know a lot of people are counting on me,” Tucker said. 'I feel like I can do a great job here, but I don't let that just get into my ear or get a big head.”

2

. Jordan Harris takes over at middle linebacker

Redshirting in his first season was never a part of his plan. The slow process of understanding the playbook was too much to absorb last season, and it frustrated the junior college transfer.

'It was tough on me, but I knew the coaches had a plan for me and I just had to sit back and trust their word,” Harris said. 'Fortunately, it worked out for me.”

After starter Jevohn Miller suffered a season-ending injury with four games to go and Iowa State struggled with consistency after that. Harris hopes to bring stability back to the heart of the defense.

'I learned about the offensive schemes and the details a middle linebacker, or any linebacker, has to pay attention to,” Harris said. 'You can't be out there just running for the football. You've got to have a purpose for running to the football.”

3

. Replacing a center

Iowa State will look familiar on the offensive line with Jake Campos, Daniel Burton and Brock Dagel almost certainly tabbed as starters. But the anchor could change the identity with the departure of four-year starter Tom Farniok.

Look for Patrick Scoggins and Jamison Lalk to get significant reps today. Iowa State Coach Paul Rhoads said Lalk has the upper hand at the moment.

4

. Joel Lanning getting snaps at QB

Although he has yet to see a single snap in college, don't be surprised to see sophomore Lanning get that chance this year.

Rhoads said special situation calls could be in the cards for the Ankeny native at quarterback, and said he has developed even more on his already efficient passing ability.

'Joel is really getting to know where he can throw every ball,” Rhoads said. 'I say he can throw every ball and other times I'm talking about the velocity to throw the deep crosser out on the sideline.”

5

. Young faces at running back

Aaron Wimberly and DeVondrick Nealy are gone and the weight of the running game will be placed on the shoulders of sophomore Tyler Brown and red-shirt freshman Mike Warren.

Both have been getting significant snaps with the first team.

'They're both strong guys and we've got strong players, but we haven't always shown that strength or utilized that strength because our heads are down and we don't roll our hips,” Rhoads said. 'I thought they did the best job of that (last Saturday) they've done all spring.”

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