AMES — Iowa State offensive coordinator Tyler Roehl welcomes the Cyclones’ excitement, but Aug. 7 will be when things start to become both revealing and interesting.
“We’re not in full pads yet, right? It’s just a pajama party out there,” Roehl said. “For us, to accomplish what we want to accomplish, it starts (Aug. 7) with real football. That’s when you find out who’s about it … and I’m excited to see who responds because there can be a lot of hooting and hollering without pads on, but who’s going to be about it tomorrow at 10 o’ clock.”
The Cyclones opened preseason fall camp on Aug. 5. The Cyclones’ first two days of practices were helmet-only. Iowa State will get to put on shoulder pads on Aug. 7 and add an element of contact.
For a team that aims to be predicated on physicality, that will be a crucial element, especially as the Cyclones sort through position battles and grow further accustomed to Roehl’s schemes and desire for a run-heavy offense.
Roehl was formerly the running backs coach under ex-ISU head coach Matt Campbell in 2024. He spent last season with the Detroit Lions as a tight ends coach and has brought those experiences to Ames to enhance his coaching and mentioned situational football and proper execution as specific examples.
“Everyone looks good in (individual) drills, but when it’s third-and-8 and we’re on the right hash, can you drive that ball to convert first down?” Roehl said.
Although it’s still early in fall camp, he gave a few thoughts on each position group.
“All of them (need to grow), this is a different system,” Roehl said. “Different can scare people, right? But this is an unbelievable challenge that they’ve grasped, attacked, and it’s been fun to see their growth. You can’t run and hide in this system, you’re either about it or you’re not.”
Quarterback Jaylen Raynor growing in new scheme, taking added responsibility
Current Iowa State quarterbacks coach Keith Heckendorf was previously Raynor’s offensive coordinator at Arkansas State. Although they’ve reunited in the Big 12, it’s a different offense from the one Raynor had been familiar with for three years.
Roehl intends to use a pro-style offense, with an emphasis on the run game. At Arkansas State, Raynor previously ran a more up-tempo, spread offense. Now, he’ll need to orchestrate the huddle in between every play, rather than relying on signals and signs to get set at a quicker pace.
“He’s about it, understands ball, high football IQ, very curious to learn,” Roehl said. “Repetition is the mother of learning, the amount of banked repetitions he has with great coaching from coach Heckendorf, the belief, trust he has and has grown within this system, there is a lot of trust, but trust has to be earned out there on the practice field too.”
The dual-threat quarterback has continued to be a bright spot on the field and the locker room.
“Player-led programs are championship-level programs and when you have guys that are all-in without wavering, every day, that’s when you know you’ve got something special,” Roehl said. “His energy is contagious and we can’t have enough of those guys. He’s done a good job.”
Bullish on running backs Aiden Flora, Cameron Pettaway and overall position depth
Bowling Green transfer Cameron Pettaway and returner Aiden Flora are projected to be a one-two punch in the backfield.
Roehl is especially high on the former walk-on Flora, who broke out as a contributor as a return specialist last season. It will be his first opportunity at getting extended carries and may be a versatile weapon out of the backfield. Pettaway was MAC freshman of the year.
“Flora can be like Christian McCaffrey in my opinion,” Roehl said. “I’m high on Flora. I’m high on Cam. Cam’s a good player, we’ve got two really good dynamic players in there.”
In May, Iowa State added experienced Tulane transfer Arnold Barnes III, who had 757 yards and six touchdowns over 161 carries and 33 career games. Since he did not get to participate in spring football, he is still catching up to his teammates, but the Cyclones are excited for the depth he provides.
Roehl was also pleased with the recovering Ryver Peppers and walk-on Wyatt Archer, who converted from the defensive back position.
“What people may think is not deep, there’s good depth and it’s building every day,” Roehl said. “Have they proven themselves to be an elite group yet? No, there’s work to be done, but they’re trending in a good direction.”
Freshman wide receivers round out receiving corps
Transfers Omari Hayes, Evan Boyd, Carter Pabst and Cody Jackson remain the key names to know out of the Cyclones’ new receivers.
On Aug. 7, head coach Jimmy Rogers mentioned the need to identify the best players to take the field, regardless of age or experience.
He alluded to first-year wide receivers Malcolm Watkins, Jeffrey Roberts and Jamal Polite Jr. as examples of competitive freshmen.
Roehl shared his insights on the trio:
“They’re all a little bit different, they got great speed, ability, eager,” Roehl said. “I’m excited for that group. They’ve done a good job, they’re young, but they’re willing and that’s all I can ask for.”
Tight ends have to be multiple, versatile
Whether they’re involved in the passing game or used as an additional blocking lineman, tight ends will be a crucial part of the Cyclones’ offense.
From understanding alignments, shifts, blocking assignments and stances, there’s plenty that goes in making pre-snap reads and assignments once the play is live.
“It takes reps and day by day, there’s incremental growth,” Roehl said.
Roehl ran down the line on different players at this position:
Offensive line still an unknown until full-contact practices
At the end of the spring showcase, Roehl applauded the depth of his offensive line, with up to 10 offensive linemen looking like quality players. He alluded to being a part of previous offenses where they rotated linemen and would be OK with doing the same at Iowa State, if needed.
For a position group rooted in physicality, the coaching staff will need to hold any conclusions or evaluations until later in fall camp.
“It’s really hard, there’s good depth but until we get to tomorrow at 12:05, I don’t know,” Roehl said. “Again, it’s in the helmet and no shoulder pads and honestly, not our whole offense is in. It’s day two. We have much more to install, so until we get everything in, that’s when people will separate themselves. … It’s not real football, especially for that position until (shoulder pads are on Aug. 7).”
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: What we learned from OC Tyler Roehl after second Iowa State practice
Reporting by Eugene Rapay, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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By Eugene Rapay, Des Moines Register | USA TODAY Network
