Iowa State football will be competing until the end in 2020

Iowa State looks to expand defensive efficiency

The same kind of impact and improvement the offense had last season, the Cyclones should see on defense. Iowa State returns nine starters on a defense that was ranked 50th in the nation (third in the Big 12) in points allowed per game (25.9) and 45th in total yards allowed per game (369.3).

A large amount of experience from the players on the defensive side of the ball will help the Cyclones to a top-25 level efficiency. Jon Heacock will enter his fifth season as the defensive coordinator as he looks to bring the most from this hungry unit.

Expect there to be much more productivity from the defensive line that was experienced but lacks the production on the field. There’s no projected starter for this line this season that accounted for more than two sacks year.

JaQuan Bailey returns as a senior after having to medically redshirt in four games. In 2018, he accounted for 46 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks. Defensive tackle Eyioma Uwazurike returns as a starter after accounting for 32 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks last season. Will McDonald looks to contribute as one of the main pass rushers after accounting for six sacks this past season while transitioning from outside linebacker during the season.

The Cyclones return some key consistent players on the defensive side of the ball with most of them from the linebacking corps. Iowa State will miss its leading tackler from this past season in Marcel Spears, who led the team in total tackles (92) and solo tackles (56). They will force Jake Hummel, who accounted for 36 total tackles, to take over as a versatile outside linebacker.

Mike Rose returns after accounting 77 total tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss. O’Rien Vance returns as the starting middle linebacker after accounting for 66 total tackles, nine tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.

Iowa State looks to add more stability in the secondary after some miscues in 2019. Last year, the the Cyclones ranked 72nd in the nation (fifth in the Big 12) in passing yards allowed (229.8) and allowed a completion percentage of 63. They do return all of their starters in the secondary from the previous season. Junior cornerback Anthony Johnson who was selected as Athlon Sports’ preseason first-team All-Big 12 after accounting for 10 pass deflections in 2019.

The secondary will be led by two-time first-team All-Big 12 safety Greg Eisworth, who accounted for 65 total tackles and 10 pass deflections.