Williams & Blum: Projecting Iowa State’s Depth Chart

[Aiden Wyatt]

Chris Williams and Brent Blum go position-by-position on offense and defense as they project the Cyclones’ depth chart ahead of the 2025 season. Presented by Mechdyne.

Williams & Blum: Projecting Iowa State's Depth Chart

Chris Williams and Brent Blum go position-by-position on offense and defense as they project the Cyclones' depth chart ahead of the 2025 season. Presented by Mechdyne. https://youtu.be/v2TSFRGJKP8

cyclonefanatic.com

 

[Aclone]

I enjoyed this. Mostly lined up with what I’ve been hearing.

Hit on most things. Stayed to slow down just a bit with the DL. Redshirt freshmen Jace Gilbert and Alijah Carnell are two stringside guys the coaches have glowed about.

Linebackers…maybe there wasn’t much to say—about probably eight or nine guys? I can see that. Just too many guys to list them all right now.

Felt like you really ran out of gas on the secondary. The corners, after Jontez and Tre, a cursory mention of Beni was as far as you went.

Then with the safeties? It was Coop, a shout to Khijohn…then dashing on to the specialists, without mentioning any of the other spots.

Or did my video glitch?

I’ve heard about “Coffee Bean” and Q impressing, and it would have been nice to hear more about some really talented safeties.

Still, you guys did offer up some really good stuff.

I almost wouldn’t be surprised if Vara Ikakoula were starting by the second half of the year. Powerful and mobile.

Almost. Not going to go any further than that.

 

[MyNameEhJeff]

I enjoyed this. Mostly lined up with what I’ve been hearing.

Hit on most things. Stayed to slow down just a bit with the DL. Redshirt freshmen Jace Gilbert and Alijah Carnell are two stringside guys the coaches have glowed about.

Linebackers…maybe there wasn’t much to say—about probably eight or nine guys? I can see that. Just too many guys to list them all right now.

Felt like you really ran out of gas on the secondary. The corners, after Jontez and Tre, a cursory mention of Beni was as far as you went.

Then with the safeties? It was Coop, a shout to Khijohn…then dashing on to the specialists, without mentioning any of the other spots.

Or did my video glitch?

I’ve heard about “Coffee Bean” and Q impressing, and it would have been nice to hear more about some really talented safeties.

Still, you guys did offer up some really good stuff.

I almost wouldn’t be surprised if Vara Ikakoula were starting by the second half of the year. Powerful and mobile.

Almost. Not going to go any further than that.

Vaea Ikakoula is talented, but he won't see the field this year in meaningful minutes. He's not currently in game shape.

The safeties will most likely be Cooper, Surges/Patton, and Marcus Neal. CB's will be Jontez and right now, probably Tre Bell. Quentin Taylor, Ta'Shawn James, Coffey and Eddie Lemos have all looked solid in practice (although I think Lemos will most likely be a ST guy). Beni isn't quite ready to see meaningful minutes right now.

Starting LB's will most likely be Bacon, Brezina and McLaughlin, with Bacon, Brezina and Lovett being the ones disguising themselves as the "4th" down lineman, we heard all about last year.

 

[Hammerschlagen]

Great podcast

I want to know who is going to play "fullback" this year though too

If we can find a hammer there, I expect a big year out of Sama

 

[MyNameEhJeff]

Great podcast

I want to know who is going to play "fullback" this year though too

If we can find a hammer there, I expect a big year out of Sama

I’m gonna assume Vince Benetti will be the FB. He was a DE last year and is listed as a TE this year. He’s listed at 6’4 245#

 

[cyclone4L]

I’m gonna assume Vince Benetti will be the FB. He was a DE last year and is listed as a TE this year. He’s listed at 6’4 245#

the FB will be a scholarship player

 

[SolarGarlic]

How many times did CW say "Right?"

It feels like everyone is forgetting about Bacon. CW sounded a little surprised when he said "it sounds like he's the best LB on the team." To me, that's a duh. Given he's healthy, Bacon is a game changer and someone who most of the national outlets have completely forgotten about or discounted.

 

[Statefan10]

How many times did CW say "Right?"

It feels like everyone is forgetting about Bacon. CW sounded a little surprised when he said "it sounds like he's the best LB on the team." To me, that's a duh. Given he's healthy, Bacon is a game changer and someone who most of the national outlets have completely forgotten about or discounted.

Didn’t he have preseason accolades coming into last season?

 

[ClubCy]

How many times did CW say "Right?"

Every. Single. Podcast. That and big gulps of whatever he is drinking.

The “right?” thing drives me absolutely insane.

 

[Aclone]

Every. Single. Podcast. That and big gulps of whatever he is drinking.

The “right?” thing drives me absolutely insane.

Always has to rub his nose.

Just get a tissue.

 

[ClubCy]

Always has to rub his nose.

Just get a tissue.

This reaffirms my choice to always to audio only.

 

[Aclone]

It feels like everyone is forgetting about Bacon. CW sounded a little surprised when he said "it sounds like he's the best LB on the team." To me, that's a duh. Given he's healthy, Bacon is a game changer and someone who most of the national outlets have completely forgotten about or discounted.

I think that what CW was surprised about is that Bacon is coming back from a bad injury full speed so quickly. Like the bionic man.

I mean, Imming had to quit because he never got back to full speed, and most guys take a while.