5 things to watch at Iowa State football’s final public spring practice

AMES — It will be windy. Chilly. Partly cloudy and less than ideal for a mid-April early evening.

Call it football weather — and all of the above will help frame Iowa State’s final public spring practice that begins at 5 p.m. Friday at Gilbert High School.

The Cyclones continue to build toward a season without some of the top performers in program history such as quarterback Brock Purdy, running back Breece Hall, tight end Charlie Kolar and linebacker Mike Rose, among others.

But the uncertainty that comes with a new era is both sobering and exciting for head coach Matt Campbell, who is bullish on what a handful of veterans and array of younger players could accomplish for the Cyclones this season.

“I feel excitement every time, no matter what time of year, or what type of team it is,” Campbell said earlier this month. “Because I think you’re trying to push all the buttons right now that give you a chance to be steady and calm when it matters most, and that’s the fall.”

So bundle up, grab a pair of binoculars and prepare for ISU’s open practice just north of Ames. Below, find five things to watch as spring ball winds down and behind-the-scenes summer workouts swing into view.

1. Hunter Dekkers steps in as QB1

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Hunter Dekkers concludes spring practice with a firm grip on the starting job Purdy held for four record-breaking seasons. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound play-caller from Hawarden has been called a budding “superstar” by the Cyclones’ leading returning receiver, Xavier Hutchinson, and headlines a quarterback group that also includes junior college transfer Nate Glantz and true freshman Rocco Becht.

“Hunter has really grown the early part of spring practice and then those other guys, I think you see great growth,” Campbell said.

2. Anthony Johnson’s new position

Veteran cornerback Anthony Johnson has shifted to the boundary safety position this spring. The move bolsters ISU’s pass defense and enhances Johnson’s professional prospects. It also opens up the cornerback position for T.J. Tampa, Tayvonn Kyle, Myles Purchase and D.J. Miller, among others.

“(Johnson is) a pillar of our program,” Campbell said. “Number one, wanting to move for the betterment of the team to safety (and) I do think at the end of the day it’s going to be for the betterment of him as well.”

3. Trevor Downing leads the O-line

Senior guard-turned-center Trevor Downing has become the true leader on the offensive line. His ability to command respect and gouge would-be defenders at the point of attack will help that unit’s effort to become more consistent in run blocking and pass protection.

“Trevor really laid the groundwork for us to build the offensive line moving forward,” Campbell said.

4. A freshman to watch

True freshman receiver Greg Gaines has impressed coaches and teammates alike this spring after enrolling early in the winter. The 6-2, 185-pound pass catcher from Tampa Bay, Fla., has all the tools to augment a receivers group headlined by Hutchinson.

“There’s no potential to him,” said Hutchinson, who was 13 yards shy of 1,000 receiving yards last season. “He can go as far as he wants.”

5. Jirehl Brock as the featured running back

Breece Hall has moved on to pursue a career in the NFL, so junior Jirehl Brock looks to become the Cyclones’ featured running back. He’ll have plenty of competition — from Deon Silas, Miles Sanders and true freshman Cartevious Norton, among others — but Brock is poised to showcase his wide-ranging skills frequently this fall.

“I feel like I can show a different type of leadership toward the young guys, moving into a bigger role,” said Brock, who has scored two touchdowns in his ISU career. “I feel like this is a place that I will thrive.”

Comments: robgray18@icloud.com