College Sports

AMES, Iowa (AP) -- Iowa State fans might want to keep their scorecards handy during Thursday night's season opener. There's going to be a lot of players no one has heard of before.

The Cyclones, fresh off a 3-9 season, aren't going to pay much attention to seniority this season. Iowa State has 27 underclassmen listed on its current depth chart, and many of them are going to see significant playing time starting Thursday against South Dakota State.

"There have been some guys that have jumped off the page for us the first three weeks of camp," coach Gene Chizik said. "It'll be real interesting to see what they do when the lights come on. But I've been very pleased with a lot of our young players."

Two true freshman wideouts, Sedrick Johnson and Darius Darks, should see plenty of action on passing downs. They're listed behind starters R.J. Sumrall and Marquis Hamilton on the depth chart.

Johnson was perhaps Iowa State's most high-profile recruit. The 6-foot-4, 180-pounder from Arp High School, picked the Cyclones over a number of topflight programs, including LSU, Michigan and Texas A&M, and it didn't take long for him to show the coaching staff why he was so highly thought of coming out of high school.

Darks played all over the place in high school, including running back and quarterback, but he has apparently found a home at wide receiver.

"(Darks) runs great routes. He's a fast guy, he lines up in the slot for us and he runs great routes. He's a real heady player for a freshman," said sophomore quarterback Austen Arnaud, who will get his first career start Thursday. "Sedrick's just an athletic freak."

One person who won't be playing wide receiver is Phillip Bates. The coaching staff has insisted that he'll stay at quarterback, although Arnaud apparently has the edge behind center.

Sophomore Alexander Robinson, who impressed the coaches when he got his chance late last year, will open the season as the starting tailback ahead of senior Jason Scales. J.J. Bass, who missed much of the offseason because of a suspension, is currently listed third.

Iowa State will likely work in all three as it tries to improve a running attack that ranked 95th in the nation last season at just 124 yards per game, but Robinson has the inside track for the bulk of the carries.

Sophomore cornerback Devin McDowell and true freshman cornerback Leonard Johnson will serve as Iowa State's punt and kick returners. McDowell is also listed as a starter at cornerback ahead of Allen Bell, who started all 12 games a year ago, and Johnson is listed behind senior Chris Singleton at the other cornerback spot.

Sophomore Zac Sandvig will get the nod at strong safety.

Iowa State will also be young at placekicker with Grant Mahoney and Zach Guyer, both of whom are true freshmen. Mahoney is listed atop the depth chart, but it appears the battle could drag on until one of them proves they can consistently make kicks at the college level.

It's important not to read too much into who's starting against the Jackrabbits, because things can change quickly for a team as young as Iowa State. But the coaching staff has insisted all along that starting spots were earned, not given away.

"Every position is up for grabs. Whoever performs the best and is the most physical, who shows the most will and want for the position is going to get it," said senior offensive tackle Doug Dedrick. "For us older guys, to feel the young guys nipping at our heels, we'll pick up our game and also they need to pick up their game to try to outshine us."

Sedrick Johnson
(File photo)