Who will be the "playmakers" next year?

**letsgostate** · 11-09-2008, 09:43 PM

If anyone wonders why the dropoff in this years football team vs. last year, look no further than the lack of playmakers. These are the players that really make a difference in winning and losing. Last year with Bowen, Meyer, Tuba, Bowen, and others, Iowa State had leaders and playmakers.

Who will emerge next year: Some guesses:
Lenard Johnson,
Darius Darks
Bo Williams
Money Reynolds (he's comin, right?)
other ideas?

**cyclonez7** · 11-09-2008, 09:43 PM

A-Rob

**ketelmeister** · 11-09-2008, 09:50 PM

33 made the point prior to the season that he was concerned about the lack of leaders on the team with Bowen and company leaving. His concern has certainly played out. But with emergence of Len Johnson, Darks, Arnaud, Rumple and some others, this may be improving. We have a lot of talent ready to rise up in all classes, including ARob.

**CrossCyed** · 11-09-2008, 09:51 PM

Yeah, if it's the A-Robs we saw last week, he'll be fun to watch all year.

**ISUFan22** · 11-09-2008, 09:52 PM

I hope when it's all said and done in '09 - we list our offensive and defensive lines as the "playmakers". Because if this group does not drastically improve - the other guys won't be able to do their thing.

WAY too much emphasis put on the "fun" players and not near enough on the guys we need to do the dirty work.

**cyclonez7** · 11-09-2008, 09:55 PM

I think that A-Rob and Bo Williams will be a force to be reckoned with next year. If the O-Line makes some serious improvement, we should be able to get a 1000 yard rusher for the first time since Stevie Hicks if no injuries occur.

**Wesley** · 11-09-2008, 09:57 PM

Collin Franklin.

More of James Smith.

**ISUFan22** · 11-09-2008, 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by cyclonez7

I think that A-Rob and Bo Williams will be a force to be reckoned with next year. If the O-Line makes some serious improvement, we should be able to get a 1000 yard rusher for the first time since Stevie Hicks if no injuries occur.

This was the chatter before this season, regarding A-Rob, Bass and Scales.

But, you're right - if the line improves - it's a powerful duo (based on the hype surrounding Bo - yet to be proven at this level). I wouldn't mind seeing both of these guys in the backfield at the same time - at least a little bit.

**mwitt** · 11-09-2008, 10:02 PM

Way too early to say. We all thought Marquis Hamilton was poised for a huge year.

I do think Nate Frere will have a niec year for us, but hopefully there's some other guys that can help him out on the DL -- especially at DE.

**ISUFan22** · 11-09-2008, 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by mwitt

Way too early to say. We all thought Marquis Hamilton was poised for a huge year.

No kidding. Huge disappointment that has turned out to be so far.

**ketelmeister** · 11-09-2008, 10:10 PM

Here's a few:
Collin Franklin
KO
Rashawn Parker DE
Chris Lyle DE
Steven Ruhemp... DT
Austen Arnaud QB
ARob RB
Bo Williams RB
Sed Johnson WR
Darius Darks WR
Houston Jones WR
Kennard Banks CB
Len Johnson CB
Cameron Bell LB
I could name more, but lots of talent coming back, and potential play makers. Check out the depth chart on Iowa State University Athletics Official Web Site - www.CYCLONES.com - Iowa State Cyclones Sports

**isucy86** · 11-09-2008, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

WAY too much emphasis put on the "fun" players and not near enough on the guys we need to do the dirty work.

We need some playmakers on defense. Right now we seem to have 1 playmaker on defense and that is Leonard Johnson.

I hope the staff hits the JUCO's hard over the next couple months and brings in a stud DT, Weakside DE, MLB & OLB. Until our front 7 make plays in the running & passing game- our program will stuggle. Maybe we have some young guys in the program with potential that are RS or true freshman this year- but hopefully JUCO's can increase competition at some positions.

I'd also like to see if Banks & Butler can fill the 2 safety positions. They may be a bit light, but it seems like having cover skills is more important than run support in the Big 12 these days.

**Wesley** · 11-09-2008, 10:18 PM

No OL?

The defense is the weak link of our three groups right now. We need more outside rush, more tackles from linebackers, more pass coverage from the dbs. That essentially means upgrade everything defensive....

A bone - we are great at scrambling for loose balls. We have that down very well.

**ketelmeister** · 11-09-2008, 10:18 PM

Originally Posted by isucy86

We need some playmakers on defense. Right now we seem to have 1 playmaker on defense and that is Leonard Johnson.

I hope the staff hits the JUCO's hard over the next couple months and brings in a stud DT, Weakside DE, MLB & OLB. Until our front 7 make plays in the running & passing game- our program will stuggle. Maybe we have some young guys in the program with potential that are RS or true freshman this year- but hopefully JUCO's can increase competition at some positions.

I'd also like to see if Banks & Butler can fill the 2 safety positions. They may be a bit light, but it seems like having cover skills is more important than run support in the Big 12 these days.

I agree with you..we must have more playmakers on D next year. Most leaders from last year graduated. Thankfully, LJ has emerged, and Banks looks like the real deal as well.

**ISUFan22** · 11-09-2008, 10:23 PM

Moving Banks to safety, while not a bad short-sighted idea, just doesn't make a ton of sense. IMO, safeties are much harder to find than corners.

Why move a one-year guy there and then be looking for a safety in '10? Plus, part of the year Banks would spend getting used to the position.

IMO, the better move is to switch LJ to safety - he would have 3 years to own that position. I like some of our other corners enough (McDowell, Benton) to lose LJ at that spot.