2021 D somewhat undervalued on ESPN+

[MuskieCy]

ESPN+

18. Iowa State Cyclones
2020 future defense ranking: Not ranked

Scouting the Cyclones: In hindsight, I was too harsh dropping ISU out of the previous rankings. The unit's trajectory throughout coordinator Jon Heacock's tenure is strong. The temptation is to overcorrect, and if this were a one-year projection, Iowa State would be in the top 10. There are some questions after 2021, but ISU's defense is a big reason the team will enter the fall as a legitimate CFP contender. The Cyclones return Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Mike Rose, who anchors an excellent linebacking group that also features fellow seniors O'Rien Vance and Jake Hummel. Along with Rose, safety Greg Eisworth II will be a centerpiece of the 2021 defense. A three-time first-team All-Big 12 selection, Eisworth leads a secondary also featuring senior cornerbacks Anthony Johnson and Datrone Young, Villanova transfer Jaquan Amos at safety and safety Isheem Young, the 2020 Big 12 co-Freshman of the Year. Isheem Young is vital for the back seven's outlook beyond this coming season, along with other non-seniors such as linebackers Gerry Vaughn (junior) and Aric Horne (sophomore). Adding to the mix are junior Tayvonn Kyle, an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection, junior Kym-Mani King and T.J. Tampa, who appeared in nine games as a true freshman in 2020.

ISU's defensive line resets the most in 2021 after losing standout JaQuan Bailey and others. But the group retains junior Will McDonald, who led the team in sacks (10.5) and tackles for loss (13.5) last fall. The Cyclones get ends Eyioma Uwazurike (22.5 career tackles for loss) and Zach Petersen for one more year. They're a bit thin inside aside from junior Isaiah Lee. Overall, ISU will be fun to watch in 2021, but it must address questions in the years ahead.

 

[JM4CY]

ESPN+

18. Iowa State Cyclones
2020 future defense ranking: Not ranked

Scouting the Cyclones: In hindsight, I was too harsh dropping ISU out of the previous rankings. The unit's trajectory throughout coordinator Jon Heacock's tenure is strong. The temptation is to overcorrect, and if this were a one-year projection, Iowa State would be in the top 10. There are some questions after 2021, but ISU's defense is a big reason the team will enter the fall as a legitimate CFP contender. The Cyclones return Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Mike Rose, who anchors an excellent linebacking group that also features fellow seniors O'Rien Vance and Jake Hummel. Along with Rose, safety Greg Eisworth II will be a centerpiece of the 2021 defense. A three-time first-team All-Big 12 selection, Eisworth leads a secondary also featuring senior cornerbacks Anthony Johnson and Datrone Young, Villanova transfer Jaquan Amos at safety and safety Isheem Young, the 2020 Big 12 co-Freshman of the Year. Isheem Young is vital for the back seven's outlook beyond this coming season, along with other non-seniors such as linebackers Gerry Vaughn (junior) and Aric Horne (sophomore). Adding to the mix are junior Tayvonn Kyle, an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection, junior Kym-Mani King and T.J. Tampa, who appeared in nine games as a true freshman in 2020.

ISU's defensive line resets the most in 2021 after losing standout JaQuan Bailey and others. But the group retains junior Will McDonald, who led the team in sacks (10.5) and tackles for loss (13.5) last fall. The Cyclones get ends Eyioma Uwazurike (22.5 career tackles for loss) and Zach Petersen for one more year. They're a bit thin inside aside from junior Isaiah Lee. Overall, ISU will be fun to watch in 2021, but it must address questions in the years ahead.

I think you have to see Uwazurike in person to appreciate how absolutely massive that man is. I bet he has a great year.

 

[Cyclonsin]

Will McDonald, who led the team in sacks (10.5)

They simply aren't capable of admitting that he led the nation in sacks, not just the team, are they?

 

[Frak]

Nothing wrong with having an undervalued D. You can surprise some people. lol

 

[jcyclonee]

They simply aren't capable of admitting that he led the nation in sacks, not just the team, are they?

He is criminally underappreciated nationally. It looked to me like Texas play-calling last year totally depended upon whether McDonald was in the game or not. If he actually put on 15 pounds of muscle and shows any ability to drop back in coverage this year, he is a really really high draft pick next year.

 

[Bigman38]

meh, seems to give Heacock and Campbell a lot of credit. It's a projection on the next 3 years and next year will have a ton of turnover.

 

[Crookedhatkid]

ESPN+

18. Iowa State Cyclones
2020 future defense ranking: Not ranked

Scouting the Cyclones: In hindsight, I was too harsh dropping ISU out of the previous rankings. The unit's trajectory throughout coordinator Jon Heacock's tenure is strong. The temptation is to overcorrect, and if this were a one-year projection, Iowa State would be in the top 10. There are some questions after 2021, but ISU's defense is a big reason the team will enter the fall as a legitimate CFP contender. The Cyclones return Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Mike Rose, who anchors an excellent linebacking group that also features fellow seniors O'Rien Vance and Jake Hummel. Along with Rose, safety Greg Eisworth II will be a centerpiece of the 2021 defense. A three-time first-team All-Big 12 selection, Eisworth leads a secondary also featuring senior cornerbacks Anthony Johnson and Datrone Young, Villanova transfer Jaquan Amos at safety and safety Isheem Young, the 2020 Big 12 co-Freshman of the Year. Isheem Young is vital for the back seven's outlook beyond this coming season, along with other non-seniors such as linebackers Gerry Vaughn (junior) and Aric Horne (sophomore). Adding to the mix are junior Tayvonn Kyle, an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection, junior Kym-Mani King and T.J. Tampa, who appeared in nine games as a true freshman in 2020.

ISU's defensive line resets the most in 2021 after losing standout JaQuan Bailey and others. But the group retains junior Will McDonald, who led the team in sacks (10.5) and tackles for loss (13.5) last fall. The Cyclones get ends Eyioma Uwazurike (22.5 career tackles for loss) and Zach Petersen for one more year. They're a bit thin inside aside from junior Isaiah Lee. Overall, ISU will be fun to watch in 2021, but it must address questions in the years ahead.

Overall this isn’t really unfair but considering our 2 best defensive NFL prospects (McDonald and Young) could both be back after this season I think he is selling our future short. I will say that I love our second string LBs Horne, Vaughn, and Davis.

 

[Aclone]

...and shows any ability to drop back in coverage this year, he is a really really high draft pick next year.

Are you saying “shows the ability to drop into coverage with the extra fifteen pounds”? Because he was dropping into coverage last season.

 

[jcyclonee]

Are you saying “shows the ability to drop into coverage with the extra fifteen pounds”? Because he was dropping into coverage last season.

He did last year but it was pretty infrequent. Mostly because he only played a bit more than half the time and he is so good at rushing the passer that you hated to waste that ability. With more playing time, it should happen more often.

 

[Dandy]

It is going to take time for these massive publications to recognize ISU as anything but a dumpster fire.

I was looking at 2022 NFL mock drafts to see if we can finally break out first round pick drought with Hall, Rose or McDonald. One publication, I think it was NBC Sports said of Mike Rose, "he's hidden in obscurity in Ames" or something like that.

 

[cyfanatic]

McShay doesn't list an Iowa State player in his 2022 1st round.

 

[Dandy]

McShay doesn't list an Iowa State player in his 2022 1st round.

Mel Kiper got like 5 picks right from his final mock to what actually happened and think McShay was like 7 correct. It's all clickbait.

 

[cyfanatic]

Mel Kiper got like 5 picks right from his final mock to what actually happened and think McShay was like 7 correct. It's all clickbait.

For sure! And most of the names are from bluebloods...12 months is a lot of time to change people's minds and make them do some homework!

 

[inCyteful]

The way Heacock approaches a game, we won't have eye-popping statistics. The first half of games are very vanilla and he just wants to stay within a score. Then he makes some adjustments and unleashes the beast the second half. Our second half defense is as good as anyone's.

 

[Frak]

McShay doesn't list an Iowa State player in his 2022 1st round.

I would be surprised if we had a first rounder. Hall will be RB1, 2 or 3 barring injury or a bad season, but those guys have been going late first early second. Kolar will be one of the top TEs, but you have to be an absolute freak to get drafted in the first round as a TE. McDonald has a shot, but he's going to have to put together a season every bit as good as last year without Bailey taking up blockers opposite him. I think that we're going to have a bunch of players in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th rounds. And that's OK.

 

[20eyes]

I would be surprised if we had a first rounder. Hall will be RB1, 2 or 3 barring injury or a bad season, but those guys have been going late first early second. Kolar will be one of the top TEs, but you have to be an absolute freak to get drafted in the first round as a TE. McDonald has a shot, but he's going to have to put together a season every bit as good as last year without Bailey taking up blockers opposite him. I think that we're going to have a bunch of players in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th rounds. And that's OK.

Agreed...and it depends on the market. If anybody is going to take advantage of that CMC shine like Kene did I think it's Charlie. Unless my wildest dream comes true and Breece wins the Heisman, which maybe isn't that wild...

 

[baagoe]

Mel Kiper got like 5 picks right from his final mock to what actually happened and think McShay was like 7 correct. It's all clickbait.

Meh, I mean in terms of predicting the actual picks it’s mostly a crapshoot but in terms of projecting a guys range they’re usually pretty accurate

 

[madguy30]

I know we're supposed to be 'over it' (ISU being bad) as fans but I'll take projections of a top 20 ranked defense over many years.

Means more success is likely.

 

[Thomasrickj]

Overall this isn’t really unfair but considering our 2 best defensive NFL prospects (McDonald and Young) could both be back after this season I think he is selling our future short. I will say that I love our second string LBs Horne, Vaughn, and Davis.

McDonald isn't coming back for his senior season unless he has a horrible injury. He could be a first round pick and already is in a few mocks.

 

[A_storm_is_comin]

The way Heacock approaches a game, we won't have eye-popping statistics. The first half of games are very vanilla and he just wants to stay within a score. Then he makes some adjustments and unleashes the beast the second half. Our second half defense is as good as anyone's.

We may be 18th talent wise but Heacock jumps us up at least 3 spots himself. What he's doing is pretty amazing. His adjustments basically made us impossible to score on in the 2nd half.