Coach Herman will NOT play favorites, too good of a coach to do so, he just wants to win....
Hey, NewCyclone,
I want to say 'welcome!', and I want to ask you a question, too.
As you can see, like fans everywhere, we have individuals who take incomplete information and extrapolate conclusions from it. For example: Coach Herman will attempt to employ the very same strategy here (rushing QB) that he used at Rice.
I expect Coach Herman to develop a strategy for the weapons he finds at Iowa State, not force-feed Rice tactics on ISU's style of play.
Question: Based on your knowledge of Coach Herman, please tell us what you think Coach will do at ISU: Install a specific scheme and ask ISU players to conform to it, or install a specific scheme that makes best use of the skills of the players on hand?
Here's my take on the 2009 ISU offense's assets (spread offense):
KEY: 9 starters return
QUARTERBACKS
Austen Arnaud, JR, 6-3, 212, threw for 2800 yards in his first season as a starter. He's a big kid with deceptive mobility and a strong arm. RS FR Jerome Tiller, 6-4, 180, from Texas, is a nifty, speedy runner who we're all excited about, too, because of his athleticism. We're roster-short on QBs, hopefully Herman-Rhoads can land a fine one to sign next month.
A few here believe Herman's hire means Tiller will get the nod next fall. Arnaud, though, is a fine athlete with a tremendous lead in experience. He was a national QB recruit out of high school. I can't imagine Herman will ignore Arnaud's demonstrated assets.
RUNNING BACKS
Bo Williams, 6-1, 224 lbs, a top national recruit when he signed with Florida, will be a RS SO entering his first year of eligibility at ISU. We're extremely excited about what he brings to the Cyclone offense. Expectations for him are high.
Alexander Robinson (A-Rob), JR, is the returning starter. Lean (180 lbs.) but rugged, with fine speed. Lots of experience.
Another newcomer, RS FR Floridian Jeremiah Schwartz, 230 pounds-plus, is said to have fine power and deceptively good speed. Speculation here is that ISU might lose him to transfer, so we'll see what he thinks of the Rhoads-Herman tandem. Got a couple of goodlooking 3-star RB commitments.
OFFENSIVE LINE
I believe four starters, and eight of the top 10, return. A very young group at season's outset last fall, the unit seemed to develop in the second half of the season. ISU finished up at Kansas State with a 626-yard performance -- Arnaud set a school record with 440 passing yards (yet ISU lost the game . . . hope we get a DC whose stature matches Herman's). With a new playbook and a new line coach, can't help but wonder how long it will take a top 5 to gel. But, there is some talent here.
TIGHT ENDS (H-Backs)
SR Derrick Catlett has good hands but average speed, I think. Good blocker. Steady. JR Collin Franklin is the athlete/speed guy of the bunch, I expect Herman to exploit Franklin's athletic assets. He could be something else. SO Carter Bykowski played as a first-year freshman last fall. A top in-state ISU commitment, Conor Bofelli, has re-opened his recruiting since the coaching changeover, but can't imagine Herman won't have a major impact on the kid's thinking.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Ahhhh. . . . A group almost every Cyclone fan drools over.
SO Darius Darks (from Texas) set a school rookie record last fall with 49 catches. Four-star 6-4 Sedrick Johnson (from Texas) got a lot of PT as a true rookie. SR ex-Oklahoma H.S. Qb Houston Jones came of age, and big SR Marquis Hamilton, 6-3, 220, has been up-and-down but has skills. There are other youngsters here, too. JC rocket Darius Reynolds, the topic of much discussion here, has pledged to ISU.
We have decent kickers and a good punter returning, too.
NewCyclone, just wanted to give you a quick look at the kids Coach Herman will be working with in spring ball here. Hope this quick rundown is informative for you.
