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McDonald will become the first person in his family with a college degree when he graduates this fall, Campbell said, and that was a motivating factor. Along with the ability to improve his professional prospects even more. "Just really consistently getting himself to be one of the best defensive linemen in the country," Campbell said. "He felt like there was still room for growth and opportunity to grow in some of those areas." McDonald said it was all about further preparation for a professional future. "I just felt like I had more to prove in football," he said. "I felt like I wasn't mature enough to go to the combine. It's never too bad to take another year to learn more about football. "I've got to live more professionally. I'm not saying my life is bad because it's good. I just want to make sure I'm set to go to the League."

So what will McDonald, already the best to ever do it at Iowa State, bring with another year of college? "Hopefully an improved Will McDonald - bigger, faster, stronger and smarter," Heacock said. "He's what I consider a 'go' guy. When it's time to go, he goes. I think that's what everybody's watching. "We've got to do everything to help him. He's going to have to play a few more reps than normally, but the expectations for me is that he's gotten bigger, faster, stronger and smarter over the summer, spring and winter. "We'll have a new and improved Will." - Des Moines Register

(DS#5 DE) rSr/2023

DE Will McDonald IV, Iowa State
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08/03/22 - Hunter Dekkers, rSr/2025, Iowa State, 6-2, 210 (DS#999 QB) + More +

It's hard to overstate the job ahead for Hunter Dekkers. The 6-foot-3, 203-pounder takes over the Iowa State offense after two years of an understudy, tasked with replacing Brock Purdy, the most accomplished QB in program history, and keeping Iowa State on the upward trajectory its charted for the last six years. All with minimal experience and an offense that lost All-American weapons at multiple positions. That's what makes Dekkers the Cyclones' most important player in 2022. "True superstar is can you handle being what a starting quarterback in a Power Five school looks like?" Campbell said earlier this year. "Quarterback is a different animal. Can you handle the grind of playing Power Five football, and handling the success and failures that come with it? "Hunter has competitive excellence. You see talent and ability in him." Dekkers got only mop-up duty in Iowa State's historic 2020 season, but twice saw significant time - vs. Iowa and at Oklahoma - in 2021. Both, though, were in limited quantities. He threw just 36 passes a year ago, making him very much an unknown commodity for anyone outside the Bergstrom Football Complex.

In those small opportunities, though, Dekkers has shown enough for there to be reason for optimism. He's got a big arm, making the vertical threat realer than it ever was under Purdy, whose accuracy and efficiency was often predicated on short tosses over deep throws. He's also shown the ability to be resilient, marching Iowa State down for a touchdown at Oklahoma after throwing an interception the previous drive. It's not much to go on, but Campbell has shown lots of confidence in Dekkers. Campbell has been able to watch Dekkers closely for two years in practice, and he liked what he saw enough to opt against bringing in a transfer QB to even compete for the job. "Superstar potential," wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson said of his future QB. - Des Moines Register

(DS#999 QB) rSr/2025

QB Hunter Dekkers, Iowa State
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08/03/22 - Will McDonald IV, rSr/2023, Iowa State, 6-4, 239 (DS#5 DE) + More +

It's probably gone underappreciated that Iowa State had its two best-ever pass rushers overlap on the roster with JaQuan Bailey and Will McDonald IV terrorizing quarterbacks at the same time. Bailey was only briefly able to wear the crown as the program's all-time sacks leader with his former teammate McDonald wrestling it away almost immediately. He had the chance and opportunity to go pro but instead returned to Ames, where he almost certainly will put his sacks record under lock and key for the foreseeable future.

With 29 career sacks, McDonald could overtake former Texas A&M star Von Miller (33) for the Big 12 record. Individual accolades aside, McDonald's presence on Iowa State's defense should make Big 12 defenses shudder. The 6-foot-3, 236-pounder has shown an uncanny ability to physically overwhelm offensive lines, and he's continued to add technique and skill to his game. If he can elevate from where he's been the last three seasons, the Cyclones have an absolute monster on the field. - Des Moines Register

(DS#5 DE) rSr/2023

DE Will McDonald IV, Iowa State
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08/02/22 - Hunter Dekkers, rSr/2025, Iowa State, 6-2, 210 (DS#999 QB) + More +

Iowa State quarterback Hunter Dekkers will be a key to the team's success in 2022. The 6-foot-3, 203-pounder takes over the Iowa State offense after two years of an understudy, tasked with replacing Brock Purdy, the most accomplished QB in program history, and keeping Iowa State on the upward trajectory its charted for the last six years. All with minimal experience and an offense that lost All-American weapons at multiple positions.

That's what makes Dekkers the Cyclones' most important player in 2022. "True superstar is can you handle being what a starting quarterback in a Power Five school looks like?" coach Matt Campbell said earlier this year. "Quarterback is a different animal. Can you handle the grind of playing Power Five football, and handling the success and failures that come with it? Hunter has competitive excellence. You see talent and ability in him." - Des Moines Register

(DS#999 QB) rSr/2025

QB Hunter Dekkers, Iowa State
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08/02/22 - Xavier Hutchinson, rSr/2023, Iowa State, 6-2, 203 (DS#18 WR) + More +

Even before playing in the Cheez-It Bowl with a injured thumb, though, Xavier Hutchinson announced his intention to return for a third and final season in Ames. Given his talent and production, that would be immense news under any circumstances, but given the roster turnover Iowa State experienced, it was magnified. Having a new starting quarterback for the first time since 2018 makes his return even more critical. First-year starting QB Hunter Dekkers will immediately have one of the best receivers in the country as a target. Hutchinson has 147 catches, 1,758 yards and nine touchdowns in 13 games over two seasons. He's shown the ability to change the game from all over the field with his speed, route-running and hands. He also showed plenty of grit and toughness playing in a Cheez-It Bowl with the bum thumb when sitting - or opting - out would have been a pretty easy choice following a season that began with College Football Playoffs aspirations.

For all that Hutchinson accomplished in two years with quarterback Brock Purdy, Dekkers could offer him the opportunity to flash even a little bit more. Purdy had many strengths, but throwing the deep ball was not among them. With Dekkers' bigger arm, Hutchinson could have the opportunity to stretch the field in new, dynamic ways. Regardless, Hutchinson's return raises the ceiling for Tom Manning's offense not only because of his own talent, but also because of its impact on the quarterback. Having a reliable, dynamic threat on the outside who is capable of playing every down provides the safety and security that goes a long way with an inexperienced quarterback. - Des Moines Register

(DS#18 WR) rSr/2023

WR Xavier Hutchinson, Iowa State
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08/02/22 - Xavier Hutchinson, rSr/2023, Iowa State, 6-2, 203 (DS#18 WR) + More +

2022 PRESEASON WALTER CAMP PLAYER OF YEAR PLAYER TO WATCH: Xavier Hutchinson, WR, senior, Iowa State,...Hutchinson, who hails from Jacksonville, Florida, earned First Team All-Big 12 honors for the second-straight season in 2021. The redshirt senior set an ISU single-season record and led the Big 12 Conference with 83 receptions. Hutchinson finished with 987 receiving yards and five touchdown catches. He leads all active Big 12 receivers in career receptions (147) and receiving yards (1,758). - Iowa State Football

(DS#18 WR) rSr/2023

WR Xavier Hutchinson, Iowa State
News Source: Iowa State Football
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08/02/22 - Will McDonald IV, rSr/2023, Iowa State, 6-4, 239 (DS#5 DE) + More +

2022 PRESEASON WALTER CAMP PLAYER OF YEAR PLAYER TO WATCH: Will McDonald IV, DE, senior, Iowa State,...McDonald, a redshirt senior from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, enters the season as one of the nation's best pass rushers with 29.0 career sacks, which is an ISU record. He earned First Team All-America honors last season and is a two-time First Team All-Big 12 selection. McDonald has forced nine fumbles and has 34.5 tackles for a loss in his career. - Iowa State Football

(DS#5 DE) rSr/2023

DE Will McDonald IV, Iowa State
News Source: Iowa State Football
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08/01/22 - Trevor Downing, rSr/2023, Iowa State, 6-4, 299 (DS#12 C) + More +

2022 PRESEASON OUTLAND TROPHY WATCHLIST: C Trevor Downing, Iowa State,...Downing is a preseason All-Big 12 selection after earning All-Big 12 First-Team honors for his performance on the field last season. The Creston, Iowa, native has made 26 career starts on the Cyclone offensive line and in 2021 was an anchor in helping the Cyclones record their fourth-best scoring average (31.3) and fifth-best total offensive average (424.5) in school history. - Iowa State Football

(DS#12 C) rSr/2023

C Trevor Downing, Iowa State
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08/01/22 - Will McDonald IV, rSr/2023, Iowa State, 6-4, 239 (DS#5 DE) + More +

2022 PRESEASON BRONKO NAGURSKI TROPHY WATCHLIST: DE Will McDonald IV, Iowa State,...McDonald, a redshirt senior from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is one of the nation's top pass rushers. He earned First Team All-America accolades last season and is a two-time First Team All-Big 12 selection. McDonald tied for the Big 12 lead in sacks last season with 11.5, breaking his own single-season school record and ranking ninth nationally. In his career, he's ISU's all-time career sack leader (29.0), which ranks fourth in Big 12 history. - Iowa State Football

(DS#5 DE) rSr/2023

DE Will McDonald IV, Iowa State
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08/01/22 - Will McDonald IV, rSr/2023, Iowa State, 6-4, 239 (DS#5 DE) + More +

2022 PRESEASON CHUCK BEDNARIK AWARD WATCH LIST: Will McDonald, Iowa State, Senior DE,...McDonald enters the season as one of the nation's best pass rushers with 29.0 career sacks, which is an ISU record. He earned First Team All-America honors last season and is a two-time First Team All-Big 12 selection. McDonald has forced nine fumbles and has 34.5 tackles for a loss in his career. Semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced Nov. 1, while the three finalists for the award will be unveiled Nov. 22. The recipient of the award will be announced on the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on Dec. 8. - Iowa State Football

(DS#5 DE) rSr/2023

DE Will McDonald IV, Iowa State
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08/01/22 - Colby Reeder, rSr/2023, Iowa State, 6-3, 237 (DS#32 OLB) + More +

Iowa State linebacker Colby Reeder is expected to play a major role on the Cyclone defense. He battled injury throughout his tenure at Delaware, but still managed to put together productive seasons. Last season, despite missing three games, he recorded 55 tackles, 3.5 sacks and an interception. The 25-year-old Reeder will be aided by the fact he'll be flanked by a couple of Iowa State veterans in Gerry Vaughn and O'Rien Vance at linebacker, and that coordinator Jon Heacock is still directing the defense. "It's a lot different than where I'm from," Reeder said a few months back during spring practice. "It's a bigger level of football. It's a whole different area of the country, but the transition's been good."

Linebacker is an focal point in Iowa State's defense, and the Cyclones can't afford a major drop-off there if they hope to make their sixth-straight bowl game. "Not to overstate it, but he's got a patience and a poise level," Heacock said of Reeder back in March during spring ball. "He's a veteran, so he doesn't get crazy about things that he doesn't know. He's smart enough to know what he doesn't know. "He's a veteran player that doesn't get too high or too low. He just continues to work and play well." - Des Moines Register

(DS#32 OLB) rSr/2023

OLB Colby Reeder, Iowa State
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07/25/22 - Trevor Downing, rSr/2023, Iowa State, 6-4, 299 (DS#12 C) + More +

2022 PRESEASON RIMINGTON TROPHY WATCHLIST: Trevor Downing, Iowa State,...Downing, a Creston, Iowa, native, is making the move to center after earning All-Big 12 First-Team honors last season at right guard. He made his first career start at center in the Cheez-It Bowl against Clemson. Downing has made 26 career starts on the Cyclone offensive line and in 2021 was a lynchpin in helping the Cyclones record their fourth-best scoring average (31.3) and fifth-best total offensive average (424.5) in school history. - Iowa State Football

(DS#12 C) rSr/2023

C Trevor Downing, Iowa State
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07/23/22 - Hunter Dekkers, rSr/2025, Iowa State, 6-2, 210 (DS#999 QB) + More +

Xavier Hutchinson was all-smiles when I asked about Hunter Dekkers' off-season. Your eyes would light up, too, if you're on the end of 70-yard bombs. Granted, that's not happening against a defense during these hot days of summer, but that isn't the point. The point is that Dekkers' hard work since assuming the record-setting job quarterback Brock Purdy had before being drafted by the San Francisco 49ers - well, that's been pretty impressive stuff. "You should see him," Hutchinson said. "He looks like a different guy out there." Dekkers is in the best shape of his life, shedding 40-some pounds from during his freshman season after starring at West Sioux High School in Hawarden. He's more agile. He's quicker. He's no longer a quarterback in the body of a tight end, or even a linebacker.

I asked offensive coordinator Tom Manning about Dekkers' makeover. "Yeah, that's Hunter," Manning told me at the Cyclones' annual football prospect camp last month. "Looks good, doesn't he?" Indeed. No more baby day. No more "freshman fifteen," or whatever it became after leaving home for the first time. "Down to about 210 pounds," Dekkers told me at the camp. "Feels great. Best I've ever felt." "He's been great this summer," coach Matt Campbell said of Dekkers. Purdy provided several memorable one-liners during his time. This one, long after the last bowl game, resonated as much as the others. "Don't sleep on Hunter Dekkers," he told me. "Just watch." - Des Moines Register

(DS#999 QB) rSr/2025

QB Hunter Dekkers, Iowa State
News Source: Des Moines Register
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07/22/22 - Xavier Hutchinson, rSr/2023, Iowa State, 6-2, 203 (DS#18 WR) + More +

2022 PRESEASON BILETNIKOFF AWARD WATCH LIST: Xavier Hutchinson, Iowa State,...A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Hutchinson had an impressive 2021 season, earning First Team All-Big 12 honors for the second-straight season while breaking the ISU single-season record and leading the Big 12 Conference with 83 receptions. Hutchinson had 987 receiving yards and five touchdowns last season, running his career totals to 147 receptions, 1,758 yards and nine touchdown receptions. He leads all active Big 12 receivers in career receptions (T-14th nationally) and receiving yards (18th nationally). - Iowa State Football

(DS#18 WR) rSr/2023

WR Xavier Hutchinson, Iowa State
News Source: Iowa State Football
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07/19/22 - Xavier Hutchinson, rSr/2023, Iowa State, 6-2, 203 (DS#18 WR) + More +

2022 PRESEASON MAXWELL AWARD WATCH LIST: Xavier Hutchinson, Iowa State,... In 2021, Iowa State wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson made First Team All-Big 12 … started 12 of 13 games played … led the Big 12 with an Iowa State single-season record 83 receptions … ranked 23rd nationally in receptions per game (6.4) and has an active streak of 25-straight games with a reception, the fifth-longest string in school history … second in the Big 12 and 41st nationally in receiving yards (987), the sixth-best season total in school history … second on the team in touchdown catches with five … tallied four 100-yard receiving games, tying for fourth in school history, and had two double-digit reception performances … had eight games with seven or more catches and averaged 11.9 yards per catch.

Recorded 10 receptions for 133 yards and two touchdowns at UNLV … had seven catches for 96 yards and a touchdown vs. Kansas … was outstanding in the win over No. 8 Oklahoma State, registering a career-high 12 catches for 125 yards and a pair of touchdowns … in the win over Texas, recorded eighth catches for 96 yards and also threw a 49-yard touchdown pass … posted eight catches for 112 yards vs. Texas Tech and had seven receptions for 107 yards vs. TCU … ranks eighth in career receptions (147) and 10th in career receiving yards (1,758) on ISU's record list … his 147 receptions since 2020 is the fifth-most in FBS during that span … his six career 100-yard receiving games ranks sixth in school history. - Iowa State Football

(DS#18 WR) rSr/2023

WR Xavier Hutchinson, Iowa State
News Source: Iowa State Football
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