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Iowa State Football: 5 takeaways from Cyclones’ spring 2018

By Connor Muldowney

MORGANTOWN, WV - NOVEMBER 04: Kyle Kempt #17 of the Iowa State Cyclones looks to pass against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field on November 04, 2017 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
MORGANTOWN, WV - NOVEMBER 04: Kyle Kempt #17 of the Iowa State Cyclones looks to pass against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field on November 04, 2017 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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AMES, IA – SEPTEMBER 24: Head coach Matt Campbell of the Iowa State Cyclones coaches from the sidelines in the second half of play against the San Jose State Spartans at Jack Trice Stadium on September 24, 2016 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 44-10 over the San Jose State Spartans.(Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA – SEPTEMBER 24: Head coach Matt Campbell of the Iowa State Cyclones coaches from the sidelines in the second half of play against the San Jose State Spartans at Jack Trice Stadium on September 24, 2016 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 44-10 over the San Jose State Spartans.(Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

4. O’Rien Vance is a budding star

Looking to replace Joel Lanning at linebacker, Matt Campbell has to feel good about his prospects. One of those young prospects, redshirt freshman O’Rien Vance, impressed thoroughly this spring, standing out as the potential No. 1 middle linebacker.

Sophomore Tymar Sutton could also be vying for that No. 1 position, but the former three-star prospect from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been standing out above the rest, per Campbell, as reported by The Gazette.

"“His end potential is maybe as good as anyone’s in our program. How fast can we get him there and how fast can he be that guy and how consistent can he be at that spot? He has some really unique traits at that linebacker position.”"

It seems as if Vance is the favorite to land the starting middle linebacker spot, especially since his head coach praised him, stating that his potential is as good as anyone’s in the program. The 6-3, 235-pound linebacker has the on-field smarts, strength and sideline-to-sideline quickness to make an immediate impact.

Iowa State lost Lanning, but it may be gaining a new star in Vance. It just depends on what type of role he will be comfortable with in his first eligible season.

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