2025 Iowa State Football Position Sneak Peeks: Defensive Line

The secrets to success defensively in 2025 are pretty easy – stop the run and pressure the quarterback, two things Iowa State battled with in 2024. By seasons end, the run defense was beyond leaky, something that cost them a Huge 12 championship.However, if you know anything about Iowa State’s defense, you comprehend that the linebackers are exceptionally crucial to stop the run-anything off-tackle is pressed to the linebackers, and those linebackers require to be able to make the appropriate read and complete the tackle.Hopefully enhanced health behind the protective line position enhances their

2025 performance.This position group loses some essential players, starting with Tyler Onyidem leaving via the website.

In addition, stalwart Joey Peterson finished together with the flexible JR Singleton. This group was not a lot skilled as they were efficient and reliable.Headlining this group is Dominique Orange, otherwise called Big Citrus. Orange had an excellent 2024, and is poised to take a massive leap forward in the middle this year. He has revealed early-round draft capacity throughout his profession, and this is his year to set up numbers and anchor the entire defense. Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images Likewise starting ought to be Tamatoa McDonough and Ikenna Ezeogu should join Orange on the protective line. Tamatoa is a Yale transfer and is available in at 6

‘5, 265 and was an excellent Ivy League player. Ezeogu played in all 14 games but made only 1 start, and the redshirt Jr must be able to step up nicely.In addition to Tamatoa McDonough, Iowa State included another DL transfer in Vontroy Malone, a R-JR transfer from Tulsa, where he played in every game recording 25 takes on, 5 TFLs,

and 2 sacks.On the more youthful side, there is plenty of youth coming off of redshirt years or aiming to play as true freshman. Ka’Mori Moore comes in as a true freshman with Big 12 size at 320 pounds, and could be an element. Jace J Gilbert( not the kicker)saw action in the Pop-tarts bowl and could consider also. Alijah Carnell played in 4 games as a freshman before redshirting, and played a lot late in the season, another child who has the size to play best away.BJ Carter is another huge real freshman who could play in the middle, and Trey Verdon, sibling of Malik Verdon, has been spoken of highly on the outside.There is great depth here with experience, how effective they

‘ll be will be a crucial storyline for this system. Myles Mendeszoon is a R-SR who is a terrific unique groups player however might play more on the line this season. Zamir Hawk is likewise expected

to contribute, he played in all 14 games as a R-SO and held his own.Markell Chapman transferred in from Highland Neighborhood College in Kansas, and while JUCO players take a while to change, he has good size to use the interior.Unfortunately, the defensive line is probably the greatest enigma for this system as we approach the season opener. Orange is a stud, no doubt, however it’s tough for an inside lineman to make as huge of an influence on this defense as it is in other places. Nevertheless, Orange is crucial to stopping the run, so a step forward will assist here.On the inside, Iowa State needs to shaky excellent about this size and depth, with Moore, Gilbert, and Carnell being able to rotate in however all being young.On the edge, You don’t have the star power, but you have a lot more depth with Vontroy Malone, Mendeszoon, and Hawk all being experienced players supporting Tamatoa and Ezeogu. To me, those are 5 starting caliber DEs

for 2 areas, something this personnel feels excellent about.If the more youthful players step up, and they get help from the linebackers, this group can be above average, however it’s hard not to seem like their ceiling is limited.Hopefully this system plays well sufficient to let the linebackers shine, an objective that ought to be within their grasp.