Iowa State Football 2023 Newcomers to Watch

Offense

Dimitri Stanley- Wide Receiver

The first sleeper not many people are talking about is Dimitri Stanley, the Colorado wide receiver transfer. Stanley had back to back 300+ receiving yard seasons for the Buffalo in 2019 and 2020, before taking a step back to 150 yards in 2021. Stanley has great route running to go along with great speed, a dyanmic combination for ant wide receiver. Here is a clip of stanley showing that ability:

Stanley will compiment Jaylin Noel and Xavier Hutchinson greatly and looks to be a valuable piece of Dekker’s receiving core this season.

Cartevious Norton- Running Back

Norton has impressed already at camp and practice for the Cyclones. The running back from Ware County High School in Georgia has already gained the trust of Matt Campbell and the Cyclone's head coach has said he is in the mix to run the ball for the Cyclones this season:

Check out the 2023 Cyclone Football Projected Depth Chart

Defense

Colby Reeder- Linebacker

Photo via 247 Sports

Colby Reeder has joined the Cyclones from the University of Delaware. Colby Reeder is the brother of Troy Reeder, who won the Super Bowl last year with the Rams and is currently a linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers. The coaching staff seems to love Reeder and it looks like he will be one of the main leaders on Iowa States defense this year. The veteran has 12 career total tackles and 5 career interceptions in his time with Delaware which has been plagued with plenty of injury. He has elite ball hawking skills and a great sense to read gaps in the defense to rack up tackles for loss. However, the best part of his game may be his speed and ability to chase down ball carriers. Reeder also has great lateral quickness on the field. Here are the linebacker's highlights:

Blake Thompson- Safety

Blake Thompson played last season for Blinn Community College where he starred, totaling 43 tackles. He also had 3 pass breakups last season for Blinn and will look to compete with Malik Verdon for the third safety spot. Thompson's skill set could match up nicely with converted cornerback Anthony Johnson Jr. and returning standout Beau Freyler as the last line of defense for the Cyclones. Treyveon McGee from Independence Community College is another incoming defensive back to watch out for this upcoming season.

Photo via Iowa State Athletics

Click here to view 2023 Cyclone Football Projected Defense