Four big questions still surrounding the Iowa State football team

AMES, Ia.— The Iowa State football team entered fall camp with a few big questions. With camp wrapping up on Saturday, the Cyclones still don't have answers to some of those pressing issues. 

Who’s the starting running back? What true freshmen will play? How will the receivers room play out? What will the offensive line look like? Well, even Iowa State coach Matt Campbell doesn’t know quite yet.

“It’s hard to say they’re answered because we haven’t played anybody,” Campbell said. “Until they’re answered in front of our opponents and playing in real live games, it’s hard to have an answer."

Here's a look at some of the biggest questions the Cyclones still have to answer. 

Who starts at running back?

The starting running back competition is still up for grabs. Sheldon Croney Jr., Johnnie Lang, Kene Nwangwu, Breece Hall and Jirehl Brock are all battling for the spot. Campbell said that Nwangwu, who has looked sharp this camp, has been dinged up. Campbell also raved about Lang and Hall. He even added that Croney “continues to do really good things.” Even Brock has had a strong week and a half, Campbell said.

“I think it’s going to play out a little bit,” Campbell said. “It’ll play out a little bit of who’s the starting guy next Saturday. But, I think they’ll all get reps and kind of work through the early part of the season.”

Which true freshmen will play?

Campbell called this group of true freshmen “bar none the best class of freshmen that we’ve brought in here.” And for good reason.

Hall and Brock are already on the depth chart but more could see playing time. Campbell brought up a few other true freshmen, including Kym-Mani King (defensive back), Virdel Edwards II (defensive back), Grant Treiber (offensive line), Blake Peterson (defensive end) and Aric Horne (linebacker).

“Are we excited about that group?” Campbell asked. “I really am and I think it’s a group that somewhere may help us and continue to push the depth of this football team.”

How will the wide receivers room play out?

The Cyclones lost receivers Hakeem Butler and Matthew Eaton from last season. So this season, they’re relying on a wealth of young talent and fresh faces. Deshaunte Jones and Tarique Milton are listed as starters. But outside of that, the room is full of question marks.

Campbell said he’s been impressed by the play of grad transfer La’Michael Pettway, junior college transfer Darren Wilson and freshman Sean Shaw Jr. Campbell also added that redshirt freshman Joseph Scates had a strong spring, summer and camp. But who will get the last starting spot? And who will take over as the go-to guy that Butler was?

“I think that room has grown over the last two weeks which is certainly a positive for us and still a question mark for us too as we get into the season,” Campbell said.

What will the offensive line look like?

The offensive line is one of the most experienced position groups on Iowa State’s roster. All five starters are back — but all five returning starters may not be guaranteed a starting job.

Campbell said six players are battling for starting spots, including redshirt freshman Trevor Downing. Where Downing fits into things remains to be seen. Downing is listed as a backup at left guard. But during the spring, with right tackle Bryce Meeker dinged up, the Cyclones used guard Josh Knipfel at tackle.

What makes Downing especially valuable is the fact that he can play both guard spots or even center.

“We’ll figure out what the best five for us are but Trevor’s had a good camp and certainly pushing to be part of that starting five at some point.”