The Iowa State Cyclones had one of the most interesting defenses, at least statistically, during the 2024 season.
Here was how the Iowa State defense ranked last season in FBS:
Points allowed per game: 22.9 (No. 41)
Rushing yards allowed per game: 188.4 (No. 109)
Passing yards allowed per game: 165.6 (No. 1)
Total yards allowed per game: 353.9 (No. 51).
That No. 1 pass defense will be put to the test as much of the talent that made that happen has either run out of eligibility or transferred. So, it will be up to four returning starters, along with long-time defensive coordinator Jon Heacock, to re-balance the Cyclones defensively.
Here are three defensive players to keep an eye on for the Iowa State Cyclones.
S Jeremiah Cooper
The only member of Iowa State’s starting secondary returning from a year ago, he’ll have to be the leader for a group filled with young, but somewhat experienced, players.
The coaches named him a Big 12 honorable mention defensive back last season after he started in all 14 games, including the Big 12 Championship game and the Pop Tarts Bowl.
Cooper was fourth on the team with 48 tackles, including one for a loss. He had two interceptions, running his career total to seven, so he can play the ball, which isn’t always the case with safeties. In addition, he led the Cyclones with eight pass breakups.
Heacock will lean on him early and often as ISU breaks in a young group.
DE Vontroy Malone
Despite having one of the nation’s best pass defenses, they had no pass rush. Iowa State had 16 sacks last year, which was ranked No. 125 in the nation.
The Cyclones don’t appear to have a single player who can fix that issue. But of the eight transfers Iowa State brought in, three of them were on the edge — and that includes Malone.
He played three seasons at Tulsa, where he redshirted his first season and ended up with 3.5 sacks. That’s not great. But, as a 265-pound edge rusher, he’ll qualify as the speed rusher in this three-man front. It’s incumbent on him to play at a much higher level than he played at with the Golden Hurricane.
LB Caleb Bacon
Don’t remember much about him last year? There’s a good reason. He was injured for most of it. He suffered an injury on special teams in the season opener against North Dakota. The Cyclones were counting on him to have a big role defensively.
That hope was built on his 2023 season. The former walk-on was put on scholarship after a campaign in which he was second on the team with 60 tackles as a backup. He also had 6.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, eight quarterback hurries, two pass breakups, and one forced fumble.
Bacon is healthy now, and he’s expected to start. He could boost a linebacking group that suffered without him last season.
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
