Iowa State Football: Five breakout players to watch in 2018
5. Running back, Johnnie Lang (5-foot-8, 189lbs)
Running back Johnnie Lang has earned high praise from the coaching staff. Lang only played in the first two games of the year carrying the ball four times. After battling injuries, the freshman is in line to receive a redshirt and be ready to go this fall.
With a loaded running back room, the biggest impact for Johnnie Lang will likely come in the return game. The speedster from Florida held offers from Florida State, West Virginia, Arizona and Kentucky after his junior season. Academic and off-field issues resulted in many teams pulling offers but Iowa State stayed true and gave him a chance.
Iowa State averaged a meager 19.86 yards per kick return last year with a few guys bouncing around to receive kicks. Johnnie Lang should bring a dynamic factor to the return game for the Cyclones and hopefully result in much better starting field position for the Cyclones in 2018.
This offseason will be big for Lang. At 189 pounds, Lang will continue to get bigger, faster, and stronger. These will be crucial next year as Lang should be the man on returns.