It’s been a few months since Jimmy Rogers was hired as Iowa State’s next football coach.
And now with a roster taking shape, the Cyclones’ leading man is ready for a short series of spring practices.
“We’ve been through a series of meetings and some walkthroughs,” said Rogers. “But to finally get out here and see the guys actually compete, do football things, watch them practice (and) do the things they’re brought here for, that’s what I’m excited for the most.”
Here are three takeaways from Rogers’ availability at Iowa State on Tuesday, March 24.
Rogers on Iowa State football’s growth through winter workouts
Even in a short period of time, Rogers has seen improvement from his team – on and off the field. He saw connections being developed between the players that remained at Iowa State and those that transferred into the program, but now is the time to see how the last several months of work all come together on the football field.
“I’d say growth in many ways,” said Rogers. “Growth as a team, building relationships is such a huge part of having the success that you want. But getting faster and getting bigger and changing their body and working on movement efficiency, all of those things, it was good to see.”
Rogers sticking to what works in spring practice
Rogers isn’t new to a head coaching role, but this is his first set of spring practices in Ames. And with dozens of new faces on the roster, Rogers is excited to see what his team looks like in spring practices.
That doesn’t mean his day-to-day process has changed since taking over the Cyclones, though.
“I think…the players understanding the standard of how you want things done and then the operation of how things will work,” said Rogers, when asked he noticed a difference in spring practice as a new head coach. “Outside of the typical year-to-year, not a ton is different.
“Their training and their focus and building relationships is maybe the biggest thing.”
Ryver Peppers, Max Baloun injury update
The Iowa State head coach provided an update on some of the injuries facing Cyclones football at the moment.
“O-line wise, we should be good,” Rogers said. “D-line wise, we should be good. I would say Ryver Peppers is one of the biggest ones that we’re excited to see get back healthy. …And then Max Baloun. (He’s) coming off an ACL and he’s close to being there, but he’s not 100% yet.”
Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at ahertel@dmreg.com or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 3 takeaways from Jimmy Rogers ahead of Iowa State football spring practice
Reporting by Alyssa Hertel, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
