A Peek at the '09 Squad

[Aclone]

It's June, after all, so I present this merely for your entertainment and debate.

Some of you scoffed at my projection of a strong Bowl season in ’09, and a possibility of ten, conceivably a slim chance of even twelve wins in ’10. Well, it wasn’t just some fever ravaged dream, what I offered was a reasoned projection based on available facts. With so many young and talented players spread throughout the roster, it’s clear that the ’08 season will serve as the basis, the foundation, even the springboard for future success. After all, experience builds upon experience, and after the '08 season, the '09 version will have plenty of experience.

I threw this together prior to that game-by-game projection, so perhaps I should have posted this guesswork (however optimistically) two deep at the same time. Just didn’t want to clutter the board. Rough guesses, coming in June 2008 as it is. Some of these guys might not qualify, some fighting injuries or not developing quickly, others may be gone for various reasons.

I'm also going to mention this disclaimer, that these are strictly my guesses and predictions, in no way to the represent the opinions of the coaching staff, or any degree of inside knowledge. My contacts slipped away long ago.

(note: * = ’09 newcomer, possible juco, anticipated in the depth chart)

LT *(James Carpenter 6-5 305 JR)/Matt Hulbert 6-7 290 JR
LG Scott Haughton 6-4 307 SO/Reggie Stephens 6-4 300 SR
OC Ben Lamaak 6-4 305 JR/Mike Knapp 6-3 275 SR/Alex Alvarez 6-2 291 JR
RG Keleche Osemele 6-5 320 SO/Hayworth Hicks 6-3 323 RSO
RT Trey Baysinger 6-6 307 SO/Brayden Burris 6-7 290 RFR

Yes, left tackle is a concern to me. Not necessarily a big one, just whether the starter is merely competent, or if someone else has to shift there to cover. Someone like former ’07 signee James Carpenter might solve those questions emphatically with immediacy. This is now going to begin to be quite a nasty group, primarily sophs and juniors, all of whom now bring experience to the table. Just guesses at how they fit together, of course. Lichtenberg might well be the long term solution at left tackle—but not just yet.

WR Sedrick Johnson 6-4 190 SO
WR Marquis Hamilton 6-4 215 SR/Lonzie Range 6-3 190 FR
WR Jason Carlson 6-0 195 JR/Houston Jones 6-0 185 SR/Darius Darks 6-0 185 RFR

Tell me this isn’t a sweet mix of youth, talent and experience—and just for fun, cue A Star is Born for Sedrick. And don’t worry, there’ll be’09 signees in the mix, too. Especially once they get a glimpse of the ’08 team’s play throughout the fall!

TE Collin Franklin 6-6 250 JR/Catlett/*(FR)
HB Derrick Catlett 6-4 245 SR/Kurt Hammerschmidt 6-5 245 RFR

Well, by now we’ll know just how good Franklin is—hopefully he’s another potent weapon. And I fully expect one true frosh, at the least, to be in the mix. Too bad Chase Harper didn’t qualify.

QB Austen Arnaud 6-3 212 JR/Phillip Bates 6-1 215 JR/Jerome Tiller 6-3 195 RFR

No, I’m not guessing which—except that the starter is piloting an explosive offense. That’s not much of a guess. Has anyone else noticed a growing collection of explosive playmakers—behind a young, talented and powerful line?

TB Alexander Robinson 5-10 190 JR/Bo Williams 6-1 201 SO/Jeremiah Schwartz 5-11 230 RFR/(SO)

Perhaps I list A-Rob first out of simple courtesy, or seniority. And I expect Schwartz to be a short yardage specialist/change of pace back. I certainly don’t doubt that Bo will be featured—or that there will also be true freshmen here helping as well. Despite three seniors having graduated, this position is probably improved.

DE Christopher Lyle 6-3 246 SR/Rashawn Parker 6-0 255 SR/*(FR)
NG Jerrod Black 6-0 290 SO/Nate Frere 6-1 288 SR/Michael Tate 6-4 285 SR/*(FR)
DT Bailey Johnson 6-2 285 JR/Aust. Alburtis 6-2 285 JR/S. Ruempolhamer 6-3 285 RFR
DE *(JUCO)/Cleyon Laing 6-3 260 RFR/Jake McDonough 6-5 250 RFR/*(FR)

An experienced front four will need someone to step in seamlessly for Kurtis Taylor—I’m betting on a juco. Or perhaps an outrageously talented prep. I’m also banking on the returning starters—and their support—being more than a little effective. Black and Lyle lead the charge, with plenty of help inside.

OLB Josh Raven 5-11 210 SR/A.J. Mathews 6-3 210 SO/Ernest Ferguson 6-1 220 RFR
MLB Jesse Smith 6-0 223 SR/Derec Schmidgall 6-1 221 SR/Curtiz Mathis 6-1 225 SO
SLB Cameron Bell 6-2 230 JR/Fred Garrin 6-1 215 SR/Kevin Hamlin 6-3 217 RFR

Now it’s Cameron Bell’s turn to star, and Josh Raven is a speedy senior with plenty of help. I’ll almost wonder if the staff looks for a speedy juco linebacker, due to Smith’s shortcomings in pass defense. Unless Mathis or Ferguson step up in the middle, of course. In any case, with two seniors-to-be atop the depth chart, they’ll be scrambling to find a prep (or three) in the current signing class who will be a future standout.

CB Allen Bell 6-1 190 SR/Ter’ran Benton 6-0 185 SO/Judah Linder 6-0 175 RFR
CB Dev. McDowell 5-9 185 JR/Kennard Banks 5-10 190 SR/Leon. Johnson 5-11 180 SO
FS James Smith 5-9 189 SR/Derron Montgomery 6-1 190 JR/*
SS Steve Johnson 6-0 199 SR/Dustin Land 5-11 200 RFR/*

Seniors galore is a good thing, however the starters shake out. The youngsters will see plenty of playing time, with more help doubtless added on signing day—safety is thin, and corner has a vacant starting spot to sell to talented preps. I wouldn’t mind seeing Montgomery blossom here. Johnson has been a Spring playmaker in the past, it remains to be seen if he can translate that talent to the Fall.



P Mike Brandtner SR

PK Grant Mahoney SO/Zach Guyer SO

PR Jason Carlson JR/Leonard Johnson SO

KR Bo Williams SO/Carlson



The good thing is that Mahoney and Guyer will have had time to settle in and shake out the kinks. Brandtner will be a standout senior, Carlson and Johnson explosive punt returners. As for Bo returning kicks—well, why not? Chizik is starting to accumulate speed for the deep returners.

[Cyclonestate78]

I agree with some of what you have down here. I think it is way too early to tell just how good the future ISU team is going to be. I do think that Chizik is showing signs of the kind of credibility he has with these kids he is bringing in. He got a kid who committed to the Florida Gators to come to Ames, IA? How hard of a sell do you think that is? Then you look at Johnson from down in Texas? That kid chose ISU over A&M. I know that the Aggies are in a transition to but those guys have tradition and winning to sell kids on. Chizik has a vision to sell kids on and I am guessing that he is a damn good salesman. Iowa State no doubt is heading in the right direction and Chizik seems deadset on proving all of the doubters that ISU can have a great program wrong. With Pollard securely in his corner and Jamie's plans for upgrades in the ISU athletic department I have no doubt these 2 can get it done.

[Aclone]

Actually, what I'm really trying to do is restore some credibility, some faith in the program. fter all, history is just that, history, and we all need to reevaluate both our hopes and expectations. Time for a paradigm shift.

[zach]

Nice job thinking this through. Who knows what will really happen as time will only tell. One can tell you placed a lot of thought into this.

Z

[Kyle]

Nice write up. I would agree that 2009 should be the breakout season. We'll have more experience and be on the last year of the easy schedule.

[Benny34]

See last year's Kansas team....09 should be fun

[Aclone]

Originally Posted by Benny34

See last year's Kansas team....09 should be fun

If you want last year's Kansas team, I'd go for '10, when this is an even stronger jr/sr mix. Hope we have the end zone horseshoed and decked by then.

[bmuff]

That team looks like an offensive powerhouse to me. They really do not lose much this year outside of Sumrall, Dedrick and Bass/Scales. The D does concern me a little. I think that either Lyle or Parker will move over to take Taylor's spot at DE. They definitely need some depth there, though. I'd be shocked if the staff doesn't go JUCO at DE with the upcoming class. The DBs will be solid despite the loss of Singleton. The LBs and interior DL are solid, but not great.

[cyclonejk]

"Too bad Chase Harper didn’t qualify." Maybe im a little behind, but did he not qualify out of high school or are you merely guessing that he wont qualify?

[djkent01]

Originally Posted by bmuff

That team looks like an offensive powerhouse to me. They really do not lose much this year outside of Sumrall, Dedrick and Bass/Scales. The D does concern me a little. I think that either Lyle or Parker will move over to take Taylor's spot at DE. They definitely need some depth there, though. I'd be shocked if the staff doesn't go JUCO at DE with the upcoming class. The DBs will be solid despite the loss of Singleton. The LBs and interior DL are solid, but not great.

Didn't we land three 3-star defensive ends with the current recruiting class? I can't remember for sure, but it seems like we got a kid from Valley, one from Texas, and one other. That may be the depth you're looking for, especially in a year or two.

[hoosman]

I was just thinking that Kurtis Taylor is the one guy that needs to stay healthy this year. Would it make sense to play him sparingly in the first game or two?

[Aclone]

Originally Posted by bmuff

The LBs and interior DL are solid, but not great.

I have to disagree. I think there is some very good talent there in guys like Black, Alburtis and others, they're just young and waiting for a chance to step up.

Originally Posted by cyclonejk

"Too bad Chase Harper didn’t qualify." Maybe im a little behind, but did he not qualify out of high school or are you merely guessing that he wont qualify?

Harper wasn't expected to qualify, and IIRC, is the only member of the class aside from Canadian Cleyon Laing (just finishing term now) not enrolled in summer classes.

I suppose there's still a hope he pulled off a monumentsl final semester to get qualified...

[bmuff]

Originally Posted by Aclone

I have to disagree. I think there is some very good talent there in guys like Black, Alburtis and others, they're just young and waiting for a chance to step up.

I guess that you could be right, but as of now, those guys (Johnson, Black, Alburtis, Frere) haven't done anything to show that they will be much more than warm bodies to rotate in. We'll learn a lot more this year, but none of them look like a difference-maker similar to Rubin, Curvey or Leaders. We'll see... I do feel that the staff is building some excellent depth at DT/NG, but I want to see a couple guys separate themselves from the pack.

As for DE depth, both Laing and McDonough have some pretty good size. But, I wonder whether they have the speed to play DE or if they might end up moving inside. Maggitt could have some promise rushing the passer though. ISU had some promising DEs committed, but KU picked one off and the other got his scholarship yanked and ended up at Baylor.

[ISUFan22]

Well put together, I do admire your passion on this. Our potential to succeed at a very high level in 2009 and 2010 is very high.

I just hope we can overcome the years and years of defeated and "almost did it" attitudes and turn the potential into reality.