Natural ability gives ISU’s Tucker an edge

AMES — Watch the push Demond Tucker gets at the line of scrimmage.

The extroverted Iowa State defensive lineman has the skill set and athleticism to play assignment-sound football and blow up plays before they get out of the backfield.

What sets Tucker apart is he's athletic enough to shirk his assignment and still catch plays at the point of attack. It's a 50-50 chance whether or not the risk in going rogue will pay off, but Tucker has found ways to turn the odds in his favor.

'The biggest part of it is just running,' Tucker said. 'If you stall out, you're not going to make it. My biggest thing is I keep running. I get the offensive guard out of my face and you can see where the ball is coming.'

Tucker has always had confidence in his abilities. He established high expectations for himself when he joined the Cyclones and started to see them pay off when he was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week on Monday with a career-high eight tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble against Oklahoma State.

It's not typical for a nose tackle to constantly invade the opposing backfield, but Tucker has registered a tackle for loss in all but one game and his 13 tackles for loss leads the team and is 36th nationally. The Hazelhurst, Miss., native is that rare talent up front Iowa State hasn't seen much of in recent years. The Cyclones have seen an uptick in defensive numbers because of it.

'I would say in our seven years, he's one or two best at that with (Jake) McDonough being the other guy,' said Iowa State Coach Paul Rhoads. 'Those boys both have the ability to put their heavy hands on you and create this. Whether you're 6-3 or 5-whatever he is — he'd tell you 6-foot — if you have that, then you've got an opportunity.'

'He can jump, he can run, he's an athletic dude, now,' said defensive coordinator Wally Burnham. 'It just helps him be a better football player because he is so athletic. I'm not sure he couldn't play defensive end.'

His natural ability to get effective punches at the line of scrimmage is the kind of thing all of the top schools in the country look for, but Tucker was picked over because of his height. He's listed at 6-foot-0 and 296 pounds and was passed on by southern schools, allowing Iowa State to swoop in.

The brashness with which Tucker plays has been complimentary to his high motor. But through the undisciplined plays he's made, Tucker has also learned what it takes to play in a way that will help his teammates.

'I just learned this is a fast sport and fast conference,' Tucker said. 'You can't do your own thing to try to finesse anybody. You've got to have technique and do what you've got to do and run your plays right in order to win in the Big 12.'

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