New head coach Jimmy Rogers is ushering in a new era for Iowa State football with a new 4-2-5 defensive front.
He brought with him defensive coordinator Jesse Bobbit and several position coaches who have been with him at South Dakota State and Washington State. There will be plenty of questions surrounding the new-look defense. Some will be answered as the team gets deeper into fall camp, while others will be more apparent once the season kicks off against Southeast Missouri on Sept. 5.
Here are some burning questions for every defensive position group on the Cyclones’ roster.
Defensive line: How much more pressure will the four-man front generate?
Matt Campbell and Jon Heacock found success in Ames with the 3-3-5 defense over the last decade, but there were certainly moments where Iowa State could have used more of a pass rush.
Last season, the Cyclones had 13 sacks (14th in Big 12) and the defensive line accounted for just 5.5 of those.
In 2024, the Cyclones had a conference-worst 16 sacks. Iowa State hasn’t finished better than bottom-four in the league in sacks since 2021. That year, the Cyclones, led by Will McDonald, amassed 32 sacks and finished fourth in the 10-team Big 12.
Will the switch to a four-man front help the Cyclones generate more pressure and get to quarterbacks at a higher clip?
A bulk of the defensive line followed Rogers from Washington State. The six ex-Cougars combined for 14 sacks last season, led by Isaac Terrell’s team-high seven sacks.
The three non-FBS transfers also had success at their former schools. Former South Dakota standout Caden Crawford had 78 tackles, including 10.5 for loss and 5.5 sacks last season. Jareb Ramos had two sacks and a pair of forced fumbles for Montana. Meanwhile, Blake Hawkins racked up 23.5 tackles for loss and 13 sacks for JUCO national champion Iowa Western.
Holdovers Zaimir Hawk and Jace Gilbert each appeared in 11 or more games last season and have power-conference experience.
Linebackers: How do the newcomers fit in with returning Cyclones?
Of all the position groups, the Cyclones might have the most holdovers with meaningful snaps at linebacker. Carson Willich was a starter last season before being compromised by injuries. Beau Goodwin and Rylan Barnes have been in the rotation for the last two years and stepped up in light of injuries. Goodwin had his own share of ailments last season and missed the last five games.
Interestingly, the four transfers that Iowa State welcomed all had substantial roles at their previous schools. Where will they land on the depth chart come opening day?
Sullivan Schlimgen is the lone newcomer with past FBS playing experience. He worked his way into a starting role for Rogers and Bobbit at Washington State towards the end of last season and had 49 tackles as a true freshman.
Tristan Exline was a two-time Division II All-American at UT-Permian Basin. He tallied 143 tackles, including 19.5 for loss, 5.5 sacks and an interception last year. Meanwhile, Montreze Smith Jr. was a standout at Austin Peay. He recorded 74 tackles, with 8.5 for loss, four sacks and an interception.
Willie Breland III is one of the more intriguing athletes. He previously played cornerback at the junior college level and is making a position switch as he makes the leap to the FBS.
Safeties: Who takes the lead at safety after Braden Awls’ season-ending injury?
Awls was a ball-hawking safety at Toledo, where he garnered first-team All-MAC honors and led the conference in interceptions. Months after his season-ending ACL injury, his loss still stings and his absence hinders the ceiling for the Iowa State secondary and overall defense.
During the spring showcase, like several other position groups, the Cyclones cycled through personnel. Micah Harper, Damarious Russell, Drew Surges, Xavier Martinez and Brody Miller were in the mix. Duhron Goodman, another Washington State transfer, is also worth keeping an eye on.
Of the bunch, Harper seems to be primed for a large role in the secondary. He played at BYU from 2020-24. Harper had a promising start to his career and a productive redshirt freshman season before injuries derailed his momentum. He rebuilt himself at Montana last season, finishing with 45 tackles, nine pass breakups, a forced fumble, fumble recovery and two interceptions. Now heading into his seventh year of college football with renewed confidence, he very well could be the player to watch.
Surges also enjoyed a bounce-back year last season after being sidelined by injury in 2024. The former walk-on should also be competitive and high on the depth chart.
Cornerbacks: Is David Coffey ready for a CB1 role?
Of the entire roster, David Coffey might be making one of the biggest leaps up the depth chart, compared to where he was last year.
As injuries piled up in the secondary last season, Coffey received more snaps out of necessity. He appeared in nine games, including one start, and finished with 11 tackles and two pass breakups.
Entering this year, Coffey appears to be primed for a prominent role on the new-look roster. He represented the team at Big 12 Football Media Days. During the spring showcase, he and Montana State transfer Seth Johnson appeared to take first-team snaps on defense.
The previous coaching staff was complimentary of Coffey, lauding his potential, but is he ready for a full-time starting role, to lead the secondary and match up against the top receivers on opposing teams?
Special teams: How many games can be swung by Iowa State’s special teams this season?
It’s well-established that Kyle Konrardy can change the dynamic of a game with his long-range boot. Sure, Iowa State will strive for touchdowns, but it helps knowing he can connect on 60-yarders if the drive stalls out once the Cyclones cross midfield.
The fan-favorite kicker was impacted by injuries last season, but he went 14-of-18 on field goal attempts and 19-for-21 on extra points.
Defense has been a specialty for Rogers and Bobbit. In the contests where they’re able to keep it close, there’s no doubt that Konrardy’s leg could potentially be the difference in a game or two. He’s made some game-winners in his career, most notably two of them against Iowa, and he’s expected to take another step forward with his kicks this year.
The return game will also be critical. Aiden Flora swung the outcome of the game with his late punt return touchdown at TCU last season, and the All-Big 12 returner will look to have a similar impact this season.
On kick returns, he’ll be paired with Bowling Green transfer Cameron Pettaway, who was the MAC freshman of the year.
Whether it’s a game-changing touchdown like Flora at TCU, or just a long return that could spark a surge of momentum, special teams is an area of the sport that can help the Cyclones potentially tip things in their favor.
Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at erapay@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @erapay5.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Burning questions for Iowa State football defense, special teams
Reporting by Eugene Rapay, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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By Eugene Rapay, Des Moines Register | USA TODAY Network
