Washington wants to star, direct at ISU

Jacques Washington held a video camera in his hand, surveying his teammates from sideline to sideline.

The scene: Iowa State football media day earlier this month.

The Cyclone free safety's task: Document the gathering - with tongue firmly planted in cheek - for the athletics department's website.

"That's my minor," said Washington, who is expected to serve as the captain of ISU's secondary this fall, calling plays out and ensuring proper formations. "Videography. That's what I do in my spare time, take pictures. It's one of my specialties."

Clearly, Washington wants to not only star but direct.

But what will it take to help produce a defensive backfield blockbuster?

"He's a great student of the game; he loves that part of the game," said Cyclone Coach Paul Rhoads, who returns solid secondary starters in Leonard Johnson, Ter'Ran Benton and Jeremy Reeves. "That's his biggest asset. Now he's working at the physical skills. He needs to cover, to tackle, to run, to fit and so forth. But being a former secondary coach, you've got to have someone back there who's take charge, and he's take charge."

The ISU secondary teems with experience.

Johnson's entering his fourth year as a starter and has emerged as one of the Big 12's most reliable cornerbacks.

"He's had his best camp since I've been here," Washington, a red-shirt sophomore, said of Johnson.

Reeves, a junior who scored two touchdowns in 2010, will serve as Johnson's bookend. Benton, a versatile senior, slides from cornerback to strong safety this season. He'll also start in nickel-based situations.

"I think it's a blessing to be honest with you," Benton said. "Cornerback has showed me a lot, playing on an island. then moving to nickel has showed me how to be physical. Put those together and where is that? That's being a safety. I'm a good safety with good feet. And being physical, that's going to help me."

The Cyclones snared 13 interceptions in 2010, which ranked in the top 40 percent nationally (49th out of 120 teams), and allowed a middle-of-the-road 221.9 yards per game through the air.

Better coverage won't magically improve those numbers. Added pressure on the quarterback will be required, as well.

"There's a lot of things we can do to help our D-line out and there's a lot of things the D-line can do to help us out," Reeves said. "So it goes both ways. If we both can come together and work that out, we'll have a good season on defense."

Washington's being pushed by junior Durrell Givens, who is currently second on the depth chart at free safety.

"We're doing pretty good right now," Washington said. "Our main focus is stopping the deep ball, which we need to continue to get better at. We're jelling together as a group."

Both on the field and off.

"(Benton) is my roommate, his best friend is (Johnson), and my best friend is Jeremy Reeves," Washington said. "I'm just excited to build on this chemistry."

Notes:  The results of an MRI Thursday confirmed backup defensive back Earl Brooks had been lost for the season because of an ACL injury. ... Defensive tackle Henry Simon was expected to finally arrive in Ames after working out some academic issues. The transfer, a junior, is unlikely to play anytime soon, Cyclones head coach Paul Rhoads said. "I don't expect him to be in any kind of football shape," Rhoads said Thursday night.

Projected starters:  Leonard Johnson (RCB);  Jacques Washington (FS);  Ter'Ran Benton (SS/Nickel);  Jeremy Reeves (LCB).

Backups:  Jansen Watson (RCB);  Durrell Givens (FS);  Jared Brackens (SS);  Matthew Thomas (LCB);  C.J. Morgan (Nickel).

Cyclones need ...:  To get better getting off the field quicker. They ranked 98th in first downs allowed (21.9 per game).