Iowa State’s Matt Campbell sees progress after revamping summer football workouts

AMES — Iowa State football coach Matt Campbell took the opportunity to make some changes this summer in how his players trained.

Even through the offseason conditioning and one day of fall camp, Campbell knows dividends are being paid and his football team is in a better spot than it was 12 months ago.

'All of our work was on individual techniques and how do we do those little things that it takes for us to be successful in the heat of the moment,' Campbell said. 'Now you can start talking a little bit about scheme and how we display certain people on the field and put ourselves in a position be successful.'

Iowa State has typically had standardized workouts for its players in the summer and varied the details in small ways. Campbell and strength and conditioning coach Rudy Wade wanted to make changes this summer, and specialized workouts for the offensive and defensive lines, offensive skill position players and defensive skill position players.

Each position group's workout is different and specific to what is asked of them on game days. The details are tailor-made. Skill positions will do more speed and quickness development while the guys in the trenches work on developing more sheer strength and endurance. Training for scheme wasn't part of the equation.

'Those are the things when it's the third or fourth quarter and it's that critical play you have to make, that's what you rely back on,' Campbell said. 'So now you have some confidence, you have some swagger when you get to that time because you were able to put time into perfecting your craft.

'I think we saw the sweat equity go into it and again, all that does is give you a chance. But I thought our kids did a great job with that this summer.'

In the 21 months since Campbell's arrival, size and strength have started to catch up to expectations. Eight players in the offensive line two-deep weigh more than 300 pounds, with the lightest in the position being left guard Robby Garcia at 290.

Jake Campos (300 pounds), Garcia, Julian Good-Jones (293), Oge Udeogu (317) and Bryce Meeker (314) are penciled in as starters on the offensive line from left to right. Ray Lima (6-3, 300) is slotted at starting nose guard, giving the Cyclones bulkier pieces up front.

Ninety percent of the team set personal bests in the bench press, squat and clean this offseason, Campbell said.

'A year ago we only have one guy that bench pressed 400 pounds,' Campbell said, 'and now I think we're somewhere about 15-16 guys that can do that.'

A revamped workout schedule has coincided with increased depth.

'I think you can breathe a little bit,' Campbell said. 'Last year every time you went out to practice you were just hoping you didn't get hurt. I think now you can go out and actually start to compete.'

TONGAMOA ARRIVAL

The arrival of junior college defensive line signee Kamilo Tongamoa has been widely speculated as the season has approached.

Campbell said the wait is almost over, and the 6-foot-5, 320-pounder is expected to get on campus later this week.

'We kind of knew this was a situation that he had to finish up some classes late,' Campbell said. 'Those finish later on this week. Expect him to be with us sometime this week.'

LANG, MILTON ADDED

Iowa State has had an influx of young talent in its first two recruiting classes. It can add two more names to that list after this summer.

Running back Johnnie Lang and wide receiver Tarique Milton are on campus and eligible to compete this season. Lang arrived in June while Milton, who committed to the Cyclones on signing day in February, got to Ames late last week.

They played at Manatee High School in Florida.

Lang, 5-foot-8 and 189 pounds, will be behind David Montgomery and Mike Warren, but could play a key role as a returner while Kene Nwangwu returns from an Achilles' injury.

'He's shown that he's got the abilities,' Campbell said. 'He's high on lifting. He came in, tested really well, ran really well. All things that you look for at that skill set.'

Milton, 5-10 and 165, was a 1,000-yard receiver as a senior (1,087) and had 64 catches.

'You're talking elite skill player,' Campbell said. 'You turn on his high school film and A, he's playing quarterback, he's playing corner, he's playing wide receiver and everything he's going, I think 40 touchdowns and a guy that can kick return, punt return, he can really run.'

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