Iowa State football notes: Kamilo Tongamoa arrives, plus a look at the depth chart

AMES — One thing that swirled around the Iowa State football program through the summer and entire fall camp was when prized defensive line signee Kamilo Tongamoa would arrive.

The wait is over.

Tongamoa, who was finishing junior college classes this summer, was cleared by the NCAA on Thursday and ruled eligible for practices and games. The Merced College transfer was put through a four-day acclimation period — two days without pads and two days in shells — with his first full-padded practice scheduled for Tuesday.

Iowa State opens its season against Northern Iowa on Saturday at 7 p.m. (Cyclones.tv).

'We'll be really smart about it,' Iowa State Coach Matt Campbell said at his weekly news conference. 'Just like I told him, I'd rather play you too late than too early and, all I mean by that is, I don't want to put you out there if you're not ready to go and get yourself hurt.

'I think we'll be really smart about it, but I've appreciated his intent to get here and get himself ready to go. I think he's got a pretty good football IQ.'

Tongamoa, 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds, gives the Cyclones' defensive line another big body from the JUCO ranks. Ray Lima (6-3, 306) and Matt Leo (6-7, 276) also are pieces in that effort. Tongamoa had 80 tackles and 25 tackles for loss last season and was a top-30 (No. 28) JUCO prospect by Scout and 247Sports.

How soon Tongamoa plays, Campbell said, depends on how quickly he can catch up to his teammates, who were present for the entire three-week fall camp. Campbell didn't rule out the possibility of Tongamoa playing against the Panthers, though, given his natural ability. It also would give him a chance to get his feet wet.

'What we've always loved about Kamilo is the fact that he's such an athlete for being such a big kid,' Campbell said. 'Even when we've seen him work out this week, you're reminded by that. Now, how long can he be that good an athlete right now and what's it going to take to get him into football shape? I'm also a realist too there.'

Mackenro Alexander update

Following an arrest on counts that included assault with injury, ISU defensive back Mackenro Alexander remains indefinitely suspended pending university review of the situation.

Alexander was arrested Friday after reportedly assaulting two men in the early hours of Aug. 20. Campbell said Alexander was upfront with the football staff following in the incident and he is anticipating a meeting with school officials.

Alexander, who played primarily on special teams in 2016, is listed as a backup safety and hasn't been ruled out of the season-opener against Northern Iowa.

'Once we get through that I can really make a great decision and give you guys an exact on what our own policies will be for the football program going into the football game,' Campbell said. 'We'll kind of wait for all the information to sort itself out through the school and then I'll be able to give you guys some information on that.'

Iowa State football depth chart notes

• Sophomore right guard Josh Knipfel is listed at 'OR' with Oge Udeogu. Knipfel, a 6-5, 315-pound Iowa Western transfer, was listed as a clear backup in fall camp, but became a standout who has the ability to bridge a gap between three fifth-year seniors and redshirt freshman Sean Foster.

'He's putting himself in a great position to be the starter Saturday night,' Campbell said. 'He gives us some depth and maneuverability in the offensive line, and that's not shortcutting Oge or anybody else on our offensive line. It shows you what kind of last four or five weeks Josh has had in our program.'

• Redshirt freshman tight end Dylan Soehner and redshirt freshman linebacker Aaron Austin made debuts on the depth chart. Soehner, a 6-7, 271-pounder who had shoulder surgery after suffering a torn labrum last fall, has the ability, Campbell said, to play each variation of the tight end position.

'He's a guy that can go in and play on the ball,' Campbell said. 'He's a guy that you can flex out and he's a big target. He's got really good hands and he gives us an opportunity to be flexible in a lot of ways.'

Austin, 5-11 and 195 pounds, was an ISU defensive scout team co-player of the year last fall and is a George Washington Carver Tuition Scholarship recipient, which awards full tuition to 100 'incoming U.S. ethnic minority freshmen directly out of high school.'

'(Austin) passed up a lot of FBS offers, had opportunities to go to a lot of different schools,' Campbell said. 'Came to school here and is a guy, from day one, we've always been impressed with.

'He's kind of found a little bit of a role, especially with us having the ability at times to move in and out of different sets whether it be a 4-3, 3-4 or a 4-2-5 set.'

• Kickoff returner is listed as 'TBA' as Kene Nwangwu continues rehabilitation for his Achilles injury. Iowa State hopes to have a decision made on whether or not to redshirt him by the end of September. Senior Trever Ryen and true freshman Johnnie Lang are candidates to fill the void.

• Senior Joel Lanning will start at middle linebacker. Campbell has been upfront about it since the winter. What remains unknown is how much offense fans could expect to see Lanning play.

'Everyone wants to know, is he going to play on both sides of the ball on Saturday night. I know this,' Campbell said. 'My answer is: We'll see.'

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