Rob Gray

Iowa State seniors Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel form the second-most productive returning pass-catching duo in the Big 12. Big plays can come from a wide range of sources.

Iowa State offensive line coach Ryan Clanton has added new wrinkles to his teaching methods but continues to try to make complex concepts easy to learn for a unit that needs to consistently perform better this season, particularly in the running game.

There’s certainly good depth — but determining how much quality depth the Iowa State defensive line possesses remains a work in progress. ISU must remain strong up front on defense and find ways to be more disruptive with its pass rush.

Yoga has become an integral part of Iowa State senior cornerback Myles Purchase’s life, and executing its many poses has helped him become calm in the face of many storms.

Abu Sama and his fellow Iowa State running backs are working to become more complete athletes. They all must learn how to be more consistent.

Iowa State kicker Kyle Konrardy has “earned the right to be confident,” Cyclones head coach Matt Campbell noted recently. He spent last season competing with highly accurate one-and-done graduate transfer Chase Contreraz and enters the 2024 season as his heir apparent at the pressure-packed position.

Iowa State safety Jamison Patton also played basketball and baseball as a prep at Ankeny and Des Moines Roosevelt. He ran track, too. So narrowing his focus to one sport — let alone a single position — has been a work in progress.

No one questions if Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht “can do this” anymore. It’s about going from good to great at this point — and so far, he appears to be right on schedule.

Iowa State running back Jaylon Jackson is 5-foot-7 and 180 pounds — but his value to the Cyclones’ young stable of tailbacks transcends his measurable qualities.

An Achilles injury derailed then-true freshman Iowa State offensive lineman Deylin Hasert’s push to earn immediate playing time last fall, but the painful setback didn’t halt the versatile 6-4, 315-pounder’s progress.

Kenard Snyder jumped at the chance to join the Iowa State defensive line unit as an edge rusher with two seasons of eligibility remaining after transferring from Louisiana-Monroe. Expect not just a stronger pass rush, but better defensive line play as a whole this season from the Cyclones.

Cyclones are stacked at the position, but North Dakota State transfer is fitting right in. He will make coaching decisions difficult

Cyclone receiver hoping to make a splash in his final season

Cyclone football media day notebook

Iowa State star point guard Tamin Lipsey couldn’t even get shots up until recently, but the 6-1 junior simply got better, steeling his mind and body for what he hopes will be another successful season that could end with an even deeper run into March.