New OL position a snap for Lamaak

AMES – Ben Lamaak has been putting in overtime perfecting his new role as Iowa State's center.

And not just on the field or in the film room. He brings his work home with him.

The Cyclone senior and quarterback Austen Arnaud, have been using their apartment as a practice ground for the shotgun snaps Lamaak will be whipping back to his longtime roommate.

“It's sad to say we have done that before,” Arnaud said.

Lamaak is changing positions on the line yet again after a career spent at practically every position across the offensive front.

The 6-4, 315-pounder from Cedar Rapids will have his biggest challenge yet – putting the ball in play every time while making sure all the working parts are in order with the Cyclones' spread offense.

“It isn't as easy as it looks,” Lamaak said. “You have to make all the calls. You have a guy a foot away from you. Getting (the ball) back there is hard. I'm getting used to it though and it's kind of second nature now.”

Offensive coordinator Tom Herman is happy to have him running the show.

“His snaps are inconsistent right now, but not one call has been bad,” Herman said. “He's a sharp guy.”

Lamaak is replacing Reggie Stephens, a first-team all-Big 12 selection a year ago and a likely pick in next month's NFL Draft.

He's learned from Stephens' snapping issues, which would at times throw off the timing of the pass, be it a run or pass.

“Reggie would always snap it a little right and get me leaning that way,” Arnaud said. “Every time (Ben) does that I call him Reggie.”

Or call him worse.

“He'll let me know when it's a bad snap,” Lamaak said.

Offensive line was a strength of the Cyclones' a season ago. ISU ranked third in the Big 12 in rushing (180.0 ypg) and gave up just 16 quarterback sacks.

The same starting five was on the field for 12 of the 13 games.

Lamaak got plenty of exposure to the center position being at right guard every time out last year. He was a quarterback at Kennedy High School, came to ISU a tight end and has been a fixture on the line since he was a redshirt freshman.

Center will suit the senior just fine.

“It's a leadership thing,” Lamaak said. “That's a role I'm ready for.”