ISU's Jerome Tiller rebounding in the classroom and at wide receiver

AMES - Jerome Tiller's dreams of what might have been vanished a long time ago.

The former Iowa State quarterback's determined to catch up as a wide receiver, not dwell on the past - seven months after being declared academically ineligible for the 2011 season.

“It was very painful to sit back and not be able to participate and help at all,” said Tiller, who last spring and summer was embroiled in a three-way quarterback battle with Steele Jantz and Jared Barnett. “It was a learning curve for me.”

Self-pity wasn't an option, so the former standout prep from San Antonio reshuffled his priorities.

“Focus on academics a lot,” said Tiller, who's listed as third-string this spring. “Take my time toward school instead of trying to balance it evenly.”

Cyclone coach Paul Rhoads said after Saturday's scrimmage Tiller impressed him with a couple concentration catches.

“Sometimes when you're still young at the position like he is you can turn and look for the guy that's trying to tackle you first and not catch the ball,” Rhoads said. “I thought he had great concentration out there.”

Tiller's also uniquely qualified to survey this season's quarterback derby between Jantz and Barnett, which Rhoads said will “definitely” not be sorted out in 15 spring practices.

Tiller said both Jantz and Barnett demonstrate heightened maturity within ISU's spread system, which has been simplified by new offensive coordinator Courtney Messingham.

“You can see they understand a lot more,” Tiller said. “It's slowed down for them. It's not as quick. I can see that from my standpoint of knowing an offense.”

Barnett, a sophomore, said he's enhanced his leadership abilities and looks at this competition the same way as the last one.

“Yeah, I'm in a different spot, but I'm still working to get better, still working to be the starter,” said Barnett, who started the last seven games of 2011, but was pulled during the Pinstripe Bowl loss to Rutgers. “Still working to be with my teammates to get to the championship level.”

Jantz said it feels good to be able to run again.

A foot sprain slowed him most of last season - including part of his string of six successive starts.

“I was excited for the start of spring ball,” the senior said Tuesday. “Now it's finally here, so it's fun.”

Tiller's experience as quarterback helps him direct a group of wide receivers hit hard by spring injuries.

“When they have a question about a line-up, I know what to do,” he said.

INJURY UPDATE: Rhoads said defensive back Darian Cotton broke his thumb and will miss the rest of the spring. He added receivers Chris Young (concussion) and Ja'Quarius Daniels (shoulder) could be back Tuesday and later next week, respectively.