The Iowa State Cyclones football team closed out the 2022 Spring practice slate on Friday night, as they hosted an open practice to the public at Gilbert High School. There were events for the kids to partake in, free food was served, and the Cyclones got a good turnout to watch a team that will be very different than the 2021 squad. Iowa State Coach Matt Campbell said he saw a lot of growth from his young team in the spring.
“Again, this is a really young football team and the one thing that I do appreciate about this group, is that I feel there was a lot of growth, daily, with this team. Some guys had really good springs for us and it’ll be really fun to watch this video and kind of see who put 15 great days together, but I’d say there’s a lot of guys who are trending in the right direction.”
Campbell also spoke on the development of former West Sioux prep Hunter Dekkers, who is expected to replace Brock Purdy as the Cyclones quarterback.
“I think when you have such turnover, especially at the quarterback position, I think every day the check list of what we have to accomplish starts at the quarterback spot. How many adverse situations can you put him in, how many players can you put around him to see if he can bring those guys up with him, and then coming outside and playing in this environment, we put him in some 2 minute situations throughout the spring and putting him in some tough spots and forcing him to work through those things. I’d rather him have tough days and work through hard right now then I want to see him work through hard in the fall.”
Senior linebacker O’Rien Vance elected to return for his 6th year, and will lead a young linebacking corp that lost one of the best linebackers in school history in Mike Rose from 2021. Vance says he’s seen a lot of good from the young linebacker room.
“We’ve seen a lot of promise, they’re all getting in the film room, they’re all working hard and putting in all the effort. In the past it was one of those things where we’ve known we’ve had talent, but now these guys, they’re on it and they’re trying to get on the field.”
Iowa State opens their season on September 3rd, when they host FCS-foe Southeast Missouri State at Jack Trice Stadium.