Iowa State Football: 5 breakout freshmen to watch in 2018

It’s exceedingly difficult for true freshmen to contribute immediately on the offensive line. The jump in strength and physicality from the high school to college level is massive, and even the most promising recruits will often take a redshirt year to bulk up.

If you are going to make a difference on an FBS offensive line as a freshman, you’d best have two things going for you: be one of the top recruits in your team’s class, and enroll early so that you can get a full offseason in with the team.

Incoming Cyclone freshman Trevor Downing fulfills both of these requirements. A high three-star prospect and the second-highest rated Iowa recruit, Downing elected to stay home and play in Ames over offers from the likes of Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas State. He’s already on campus and has been impressing his coaches and teammates with his strength and versatility.

Campbell has stated that he’d prefer to redshirt Downing if possible, but it seems equally possible that the young lineman works his way onto the Cyclones’ two-deep. And from there, he’s just a break or two away from getting called into action.