Matt Campbell approaching ninth season in Ames with confidence

LAS VEGAS — He’s one of the longest-tenured coaches in the Big 12, who’ll be fielding a veteran team this upcoming season.

Matt Campbell continues to show that he’s a winner, and that dates back to his time at Toledo. His 88-63 overall record as a head coach is definitely noteworthy. The amount of success Campbell is having at Iowa State is something his successors Dan McCarney, Paul Rhoads and Gene Chizik couldn’t accomplish.

Although the Cyclones aren’t a traditional blue blood, and lack the lucrative NIL funds of other powerhouse programs, Campbell knows how to find the right players to fit his scheme. Everything appears to be coming full circle, as Iowa State approaches fall camp.

This time around there’s no black cloud over the program, or team distractions. There’s a positive vibe around campus, the fans are full of excitement, and the players are ready to get to work, which is how Campbell likes it.

“There’s a group of 18 seniors that have led the way since January, and they’ve been phenomenal in their approach to our football program,” Campbell said. “Really took a lot of confidence from last year’s football season, spearheaded into the offseason this year, and our focus has been really our best becoming the standard.”

Expectations are high again with the return of quarterback Rocco Becht, who was named the Big 12’s Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2023. Iowa State also has running back Abu Sama, who led the team in rushing yards, and touchdowns on the ground as a true freshman last season. Sama even rushed for a jaw-dropping, 276 yards and three touchdowns in the regular season finale at Kansas State.

Not to mention Jayline Noel and Jayden Higgins are arguably the best wide receiver duo in the nation. After all, they combined for 119 receptions, 1,803 receiving yards and 13 touchdown catches. Having that many playmakers on offense is the reason why Campbell is anticipating an explosive unit this fall.

“You look at the receiver position and what Jayden Higgins became through the entirety of the last season, dynamic playmaker, and couple him with Jaylin Noel,” he said. “Then you put that around Rocco Becht and watch what he evolved into from where he was as a redshirt freshman, and this guy has a chance to be dynamic in his ability to be a great facilitator of the football to those guys.”

Campbell’s right-hand man Jon Heacock will be orchestrating the defense again, and is one of the best in the Big 12 at what he does. The Cyclones will be strong up front, and in the secondary. J.R. Singleton will anchor the defensive line, and is a force to be reckoned with along the interior. He racked up 22 tackles, including three sacks a year ago.

Senior safety Beau Freyler is the heart and soul of the defense, and the general in the secondary. He led the team in stops last season, and is no stranger to physicality. To Campbell, Freyler is like having a coach out there on the field with the way he leads his teammates.

“I think what we ask that middle safety position to do in our defense is really unique, and there’s people that have tried to replicate our defense at times, and maybe have struggled because that position, in my opinion is the key to success,” the 44-year old coach said. “What we ask Beau to do, man, fit the run like a true linebacker and yet have the speed and skill to cover in the secondary, that’s such a unique skill and trait.”

Iowa State was sixth in the Preseason Big 12 Media Poll that came out last week, and Campbell understands what comes with the territory of high expectations. However, the Cyclones have a history of performing better when they’re under the radar. Which is why Campbell is eager to change the narrative, and wants his players to make their mark in the expanded league.

“Learning how to be your best in everything you do as you prepare for the season, to have great confidence going into the fall, is really special, and this group has been nothing short of exceptional in what they’ve done.”