ISU bringing the Hammer

AMES - Kurt Hammerschmidt might line up like a wide receiver on one play and get down in a three-point stance on another. He could line up in the slot and there might even be a time he's in the backfield.

One thing about playing tight end in a spread offense like Iowa State's, a guy sure gets some variety.

“They've got a big job,” said Luke Wells, the assistant who coaches tight ends. “One of the things we talk about a lot is making sure they're smart first and they understand their job - the blocking schemes, the pass protection, the routes.

“They've got to be dependable first and be able to do all of those things. And hopefully mistake-free.”

Hammerschmidt returns for his senior season after starting eight games last fall, and heads a group that should give the Cyclones ample depth at the position.

And he has such a fitting name for the job. Hammerschmidt. It just sounds like someone who's big and brawny, and at 6-feet-6 and 271 pounds he's certainly that. He also thrives on the variety in the position.

“I feel very comfortable spread out or I feel very comfortable with my hand in the dirt or grass,” he said. “Whatever the position I may be in, I feel very comfortable.”

Hammerschmidt caught 13 passes for 126 yards last fall. He split time with Reid Branderhorst, who completed his eligibility after catching 10 balls for 55 yards and a touchdown.

Wells said that reception total by the tight ends needs to go up this year.

“We caught it well last year, but we didn't have enough touches,” he said. “We need to get open more, need to be more dependable in the passing game and be a guy that's the quarterback's friend, so to speak.”

The tight end should get opportunities.

With wide receivers spreading the field and maybe one of them drawing double coverage, the tight end should have a chance to slip into an open spot or find himself isolated against a linebacker he can outrun or a defensive back he can overpower.

“When you go back in the huddle, you're feeling pretty good about yourself if you make a big gain,” Hammerschmidt said. “It gives you a little more confidence that you can catch the ball and get up field, make the quarterback look good as well as making yourself look good, and the team.”

Hammerschmidt also knows he can make the team look good with his blocking. He enjoys that part of it, too.

Ernst Brun, a 6-foot-3, 240-pound junior who red-shirted last fall, backs up Hammerschmidt with 6-foot-4, 257-pound senior Ricky Howard.

Wells has high hopes for Brun, who caught 65 passes in two seasons at Mt. San Antonio Community College in California.

“He's a very good receiver whose blocking has improved a lot. He's really bought into that, which has been exciting to see,” Wells said. “That's something he's really never done before. Ernst is a guy we think we can get the ball to out in space and is a natural pass catcher, kind of a big wideout out there.”

Howard, also a junior college transfer, sat out last year because of a knee injury. His forte is knocking defenders down as a blocker.

“He's a hammer. He's our fullback guy,” Wells said. “When we're in short yardage or in goal line (situations), Ricky is going to be the guy who comes in and does that.”

But don't sell him short as a receiver.

“Ricky's a very dependable receiver,” Wells said. “That's the good thing about these guys. They all catch the ball well. They all try to play physical and they give good effort. I feel very good about that.”

A closer look at Iowa State receivers

TIGHT ENDS

The depth chart

No. 1 - Kurt Hammerschmidt, sr., 6-6, 271; No. 2 - Ernst Brun, jr., 6-3, 240; The rest - Ricky Howard, sr., 6-4, 257; Pierce Richardson, soph., 6-5, 238.

The guy

Hammerschmidt looks the par. He's tall, broad and experienced. The tight end could be featured more prominently in Courtney Messingham's offense. They've put the quarterback behind center more often since he's taken over as coordinator, which usually translates to more field time for tight ends. Last season, Hammerschmidt caught two or more passes in four games, including a three-reception effort against Texas.

The other guys

Coaches are high on Brun, a juco transfer who red-shirted last season. He helped Mount Sac to two California community college state championships and caught 51 passes for 515 yards his sophomore season. Howard missed all of 2011 with a knee injury. Richardson was a three-star recruit out of high school, but played sparingly last season as a freshman.

WIDE RECEIVERS

The depth chart

No. 1s - Josh Lenz, sr., 6-0, 194; Quenton Bundrage, fr., 6-2, 184; Jarvis West, soph., 5-7, 165. No. 2s - Tad Ecby, fr., 6-0, 201; Chris Young, sr., 5-11, 197; Albert Gary, jr., 5-10, 196. The rest - Aaron Horne, sr., 5-9, 178; Jerome Tiller, 6-3, 204; Justin Coleman, 5-11, 193; Ja'Quarius Daniels, fr., 6-3, 227.

The No. 1s

Lenz, who was hampered by a leg injury last season, has emerged as the leader of the group. The shifty Dubuque native missed just one game, but clearly wasn't the same player after taking a hit to his calf in the Oklahoma State win (until the Pinstripe Bowl, where he caught four balls for 72 yards. He's fully healthy now. So is West - who always was. His 5.6-yards-per-catch average last season is more than somewhat deceiving. Quarterbacks missed him on several screens that could have netted 15 yards or more each. Bundrage, a red-shirt freshman, is the biggest target, but lacks game experience.

The No. 2s

Ecby's impressed since coming on campus, but has yet to play a down. Young's biggest game came against hometown Texas and included an 18-yard touchdown catch - the only one of his career. Gary emerged as a go-to receiver a couple weeks after serving a three-game suspension stemming from robbery charges. He eventually pleaded guilty to a lesser charge (theft) and was sentenced to probation. His biggest production came when it mattered most: the 37-31 double overtime win over Oklahoma State. Gary caught seven passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns that Friday night.

The rest

Horne, the Big 12's offensive newcomer of the year, should ascend the depth chart quickly as he mends from a broken collarbone sustained in the spring. He caught four passes of 19 yards or more in 2011 and has been practicing (no contact) while running well this fall. Tiller, a converted quarterback, made a highlight reel-worthy catch in the second scrimmage, Rhoads said.

- Rob Gray