Cyclones lose 2 offensive linemen

AMES — Iowa State benefited from age and experience on an offensive line that last season produced the school's first 1,000-yard rusher since 2009.

The Cyclones will be without two of those linemen — one a key starter — in their first year under Coach Matt Campbell.

Daniel Burton and Nick Severs are no longer with the football program, the school confirmed Thursday. The absence left by Burton and Severs adds to the four offensive linemen that exhausted their eligibility after the 2015 season.

Burton was a staple on the offensive line the last three years, but was plagued by injury. The red-shirt senior-to-be started 26 games the last three seasons and was an All-Big 12 caliber guard before sitting out the final four games last season with a foot injury. He also underwent knee surgery following the 2014 season finale at TCU.

Burton, 6-foot-6 and 319 pounds, is expected to qualify as a graduate transfer and be immediately eligible to play next season should he explore his football options.

Severs, 6-4 and 282, played in two games as a sophomore last season and served as the primary backup at center to Jamison Lalk.

Iowa State bolstered its offensive line through junior college additions in the midyear period with Karson Green and Oge Udeogu signing with Campbell and will be with the team for spring practices. Fifth-year Rhode Island transfer Tyler Catalina also signed with the Cyclones in the midyear period.

Jake Rhoads, eldest son of former Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads, also no longer is listed on the Cyclones' online roster. As a sophomore last season, Rhoads played in 11 games and handled long-snapping duties. Wyatt Rhoads, youngest son of Paul Rhoads, is on the ISU roster after red-shirting as a true freshman in 2015. Wyatt also is a member of the Cyclones track and field team.

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