Iowa State duo click, stick with the Cyclones

AMES - They arrived at Iowa State together, similar only in playing the same position.

These days, Leonard Johnson and Ter'ran Benton are best buds. Come Sept. 2 in the Cyclones' season opener against Northern Illinois at Jack Trice Stadium, the junior cornerbacks will team up for yet another season as starters in the defensive backfield.

“I came up here a pretty shy person who didn't really want to talk to nobody,” Benton said. “LJ, he is going to talk to anybody he wants to. He came to me. Ever since then we've been clicking.”

As freshmen the two were roommates on road trips.

The players have grown closer - “little brothers” in the words of Benton - since the coach they arrived to play for, Gene Chizik, left for Auburn after the 2008 season.

“This past year we took the time to get to understand each other and know each other,” the outgoing Johnson said. “He's probably my best friend on the team. We hang out a lot. We go to eat. When I'm bored I call him up.”

Johnson had a standout freshman season as a cornerback and kick returner. He didn't live up to his or others' expectations a year ago, and knows it.

Benton was opposite Johnson at corner his first season and spent most of last year as nickel back, lining up more in the middle of the field and closer to the line of scrimmage.

The two were workout partners this summer and spent a lot of time in the video room. They said they are committed to making themselves the best players they can be.

“Me and Leonard are trying to show the world what we can do,” Benton said.

The pair almost split up two years ago when Chizik left after going 5-19 in two seasons.

“There was a time I didn't want to be here,” Benton said. “There was a time when Leonard thought he didn't wanna be here.

“We talked to our families and came back and we had to give the new coach a try. Next thing you know, Coach Rhoads is one of the best coaches I've ever been coached by. Now it doesn't seem like such a mistake to be here.”

Benton went to Ames from Arlington, Texas. Johnson was recruited out of Clearwater, Fla., a hometown he shared with Chizik.

“When the coaches changed it was tragic,” Johnson said. “Everyone was talking about leaving, but I was like, ‘Wait, these people in Iowa love us. We've been playing. The future looks bright for us.' Why not (stay).”

Benton will move to the nickel spot in passing situations in place of one of the linebackers so the Cyclones can get an extra defensive back on the field.

Johnson just wants his buddy on the field, no matter where it is.

“I know I can depend on him,” he said. “He's a guy who I know is going to come up and make plays and make it hard for the quarterback to go to his side.”