Peterson: Iowa State's main position battle is on the defensive line, not at quarterback

AMES, Ia. — Iowa State’s most intriguing football position battle this spring and into the fall isn’t quarterback, running back or receiver. It’s which defensive linemen get the majority of the snaps when what could be a very good season opens on Sept. 1 at home against South Dakota State.

We know quarterback Kyle Kempt will start. He and Iowa State wouldn’t have gone through the arduous process of asking the NCAA (including submitting, then resubmitting paperwork) to grant a sixth season of eligibility — just to flash sideline play-calling signals to Zeb Noland.

We know David Montgomery will be the primary rushing threat after his 1,146-yard season of 2017. We also know that Hakeem Butler will be Kempt’s top receiver target after his spectacular season, but what about on the other side of the ball?

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Who joins JaQuan Bailey and Ray Lima on a defensive line that improved significantly between 2016 and 2017?

Whoever it is, had better be ready go immediately. There’s no warmup games — Oklahoma comes to town the third weekend of the season to start Big 12 Conference play.

That’s right, after Sept. 1 against South Dakota State at Jack Trice Stadium, and after the Sept. 8 game at Iowa — it’s the team the Cyclones upset in Norman a season ago.

Talk about a top-heavy schedule ...

Spring practice starts Monday. Here’s some stuff to consider:

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WHAT POSITION FOR KENE?

That’s as big a question about a player as this team has:

Where does Kene Nwangwu play?

Here’s my answer:

Everywhere he can.

He’s still the fastest player on the team despite undergoing surgery to repair a torn Achilles. He’s also still the most versatile.

A freshman all-American kickoff returner in 2016 after averaging 26.4 yards per opportunity, he’ll reclaim that role after sitting out last season, but there’s more.

He’ll play in the backfield. He’ll be a slot receiver.

He’ll be everywhere.

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JOHNNIE LANG’S AVAILABLE

So much was expected during his true freshman season, a running back many believed immediately would be a contributor. Injuries got the best of him, so for Lang, this spring is important.

“Johnnie is right in the mold of what David (Montgomery) was like and what Kene (Nwangwu) was like,” Campbell said last fall. “He’s got high-end explosion.”

No one’s beating out Montgomery, but which of the plethora of backs gets the second-most carries during the season?

There’s Mike Warren, who rushed for 1,339 yards in 2015 as a freshman. There’s Sheldon Croney, who played last season. There’s Nwangwu — and there’s Johnnie Lang.

If you don’t think this is an important month or so for him, think again.

**

FAMILIAR QBS, BUT ...

We know Kempt starts. We know Noland backs him up. We don’t know who comes next.

Devon Moore has recovered from a torn ACL that forced him to miss his first fall practice. True freshman Re-al Mitchell was so eager to get into the mix, that he started classes in January.

And don’t forget Brock Purdy, a 2018 freshman recruit who will make things very interesting when he hits town in June.

And remember this:

Iowa State hasn’t had a one-quarterback season since Austen Arnaud did the unimaginable in 2008.

Are there any linebackers among them?

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WHAT ELSE ...

... besides who joins Lima and Bailey on the starting defensive line:

► Defensive tackle Kamilo Tongamoa came to Iowa State as one of the top recruits of the 2017 class. He got to campus in August, after fall practice started, so he was behind even before arriving in Ames. Is he all he’s cracked up to be? He’s got some proving to do.

► In that same category is defensive end Matt Leo, a transfer who received a medical redshirt last season. In a perfect existence, he’d be a starter by now — instead of just trying to get on the field. And maybe for him, it’ll be that perfect existence.

► Does Iowa State turn to Noland if the first four games — against South Dakota State, Iowa, Oklahoma and Akron — result in a 2-2 record?

► It’s an important spring and fall safety Greg Eisworth, a transfer from Trinity Valley Community College. Iowa State lost three safeties from last season — Kamari Cotton-Moya, Reggie Wilkerson and Evrett Edwards. You do the math.

► Cornerback Brian Peavy has nothing to prove. He’s as good as they come in the Big 12. Same with D’Andre Payne, the other starting corner. They’re to legitimacy on the defense as Butler and Montgomery are on the offense.

**

AND FINALLY

The spring game is April 14 — at 1 p.m.

Iowa State columnist Randy Peterson has been with the Register for parts of five decades. Randy writes opinion and analysis of Iowa State football and basketball. You can reach Randy at rpeterson@dmreg.com or on Twitter at @RandyPete.