Iowa State’s media day provides new hope for the upcoming football season – Iowa State Daily

With the Iowa State football team less than a month away from its season kickoff against North Dakota, the Cyclones seem primed for a good year.

Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell kicked off Friday morning’s media day with a quick presser in the Stark Performance Center, as he feels like this year they can take a lot of the talent from last year’s team and put it all together with a majority of the starters returning.

“We got older, we got more veteran,” Campbell said. “There was great talent there and it’s that talent beginning to play consistently.”

With increased consistency across the depth chart, the Cyclones think they could make a real run at the Big 12 title and potentially the College Football Playoff with the extended 12-team field.

This roster includes some very experienced players who possess the leadership qualities Campbell is looking for and they hope it shows on the field.

Seniors are poised and ready for bigger leadership roles

There are a few seniors on both sides of the ball who are ready to give it one last run for the Cyclones, with a group of guys who have experienced some ups and downs throughout their careers.

Senior defensive tackle J.R. Singleton is ready for the challenge of being a guy the younger ones look to for guidance when times get tough.

“It’s really an honor to have guys look up to you,” Singleton said. “You can’t have an off day or come out here with a bad attitude.”

It is clear that Singleton has embodied what Campbell preaches, knowing you can always control your effort and attitude. In doing so, he has become a clear leader for the team and an anchor on the defensive end.

Senior defensive back Darien Porter, who has solidified himself as one of the best special teams players in Cyclone history, continues to grow and be a leader on and off the field.

“Being able to be that resource to show and tell them how we do things here and lead them through whatever might be going on,” Porter said.

Porter knows what it takes to earn your stripes on this football team and he is glad to be a mentor or leader to any incoming guys.

On the offensive side of the ball, senior wide receiver Jaylin Noel is ready to cap off an incredible Iowa State career this upcoming season while also being a role model for the younger Cyclones.

“Being able to pick the brains of the more experienced guys and grow a lot faster helps our young guys a lot,” Noel said.

Although these seniors still have one more shot, they are using their knowledge and experience to help prepare the younger players.

Experienced secondary leans on relationships to excel

Four of the five starters return in the secondary, with Jontez Williams expected to fill in for the now Baltimore Raven T.J. Tampa. The entire group has really bonded and their trust in one another allows them to play through each other and help out the whole defense.

Defensive backs Myles Purchase and Beau Freyler are the two seniors in the group and love the way they have all come together and grown as a unit.

“Our communication on the field is really good,” Purchase said. “It’s especially easy to play when it’s with guys I call my brothers.”

It is easy to stick together when the team is winning, but Freyler touched on sticking together through adversity, which speaks volumes about their togetherness.

“I think relationships are huge,” Freyler said. “That chemistry allows you to communicate and get through things when times are tough.”

Defensive back Jeremiah Cooper, who led the team in interceptions a year ago, talked about how confident he is in the safety group and how they can help the entire defense.

“Having us safeties back there, we can distribute through the whole defense,” Cooper said. “It’s a lot of old head mentality back there because we are all experienced.”

The safeties are oftentimes the run-fit for the defense and all three of those guys are eager to step up and make plays when it gets to the third level.

The lone sophomore of the group, Jontez Williams, is ready to make a statement, especially knowing the talented group of guys he has alongside him.

“It feels amazing knowing I got those guys behind me,” Williams said. “They gonna go make their plays we are going to strive as a whole.”

Scheelhaase to Mouser transition has been smooth

With the departure of former offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase to the Los Angeles Rams, Taylor Mouser has stepped up to the plate in his new role.

Mouser has worked his way up the Iowa State coaching tree from starting as a graduate assistant to now becoming the Cyclones’ new offensive play caller.

With a new coach comes some new offensive scheming, but the players seem to be adjusting well and the change is not too significant.

Sophomore quarterback Rocco Becht voiced his opinions on the coaching transition and his trust in coach Mouser for the upcoming season.

“They are two different dudes,” Becht said, “But [Mouser] has been in this program for nine seasons, so we trust him to go out there and call the correct plays.”

Noel has similar feelings about the transition by not giving it too much thought and focusing on playing his game to the best of his ability.

“Obviously they are going to have their own opinions on things, but it has been a smooth transition between the two,” Noel said.

Along with Becht and Noel, senior wide receiver Daniel Jackson did not think twice about the change as he just wants to work toward the team’s ultimate goal, winning.

“Plan’s the same. Run the ball, get it to playmakers, make big plays and just win,” Jackson said.

The Cyclones will continue through fall camp and prepare for their first game on Aug. 31 against non-conference FCS opponent North Dakota.