Sama is Cyclones' latest star RB

By DANA BECKER

dbecker@messengernews.net

AMES — During the Matt Campbell era, the Iowa State running back room has churned out several stars — including current NFL standouts David Montgomery and Breece Hall.

The Cyclone head coach believes he has the next breakout back right now in Abu Sama.

“I think a lot of growth, to be honest with you,” said Campbell during the program’s recent media day. “They have unbelievable talent. I think that room in general has elite talent to be honest with you.

“You saw talent last year when you watched those guys play.”

Sama, a former Southeast Polk all-stater, ran for 614 yards and six touchdowns as a true freshman last fall. After splitting carries through 10 games, he took over as the starter for the final two.

That included a 276-yard, 3-TD game in his first start vs. Kansas State, setting the record for most yards ever by a freshman and the fourth most ever at the school in a single game. It also put Sama on the same list as the likes of former Heisman finalist Troy Davis, Montgomery and Hall.

Sama, a prep star during back-to-back Class 5A state football title runs for the Rams, put his track speed on display with five touchdown runs of 50 yards or more in 2023.

Joining Sama will be Jaylon Jackson, Dylan Lee, Carson Hansen, Charlie Whelpley, Aiden Flora and Easton Miller. Hansen, a sophomore from Minnesota, played in all 13 games last fall, rushing for 67 yards while catching 11 passes for 115.

Flora, a true freshman, was a standout at Adel-ADM, earning all-state honors while rushing for almost 2,000 yards.

“You saw Abu’s talent show up. You saw Carson’s talent show up. I think some of you guys who covered our spring game, Dylan Lee’s talent showed up,” Campbell said. “I would say say Jaylon Jackson has high-end ability, and the great thing he’s proven, he’s a senior. He’s played a lot of football.

“There’s consistency of his talent actually being a great football player.”

Former Fort Dodge Senior High all-stater Asle Thorson is a redshirt senior this fall for the Cyclones. Thorson, a defensive back, played in five games on special teams before suffering a season-ending injury last year.

Caden Matson, who led Humboldt to the state playoffs, is a redshirt sophomore defensive back and played in two games last fall.

Tyler Miller is a redshirt senior offensive lineman. Miller, a graduate of Greene County, started all 13 games as a junior at right tackle for Iowa State, and has made 24 starts in his career.

Cyclone redshirt freshman quarterback JJ Kohl, a graduate of Ankeny, is the son of ex-Dodger standout Charlene (Blue) Kohl and former ISU kicker Jamie Kohl.

The Cyclones open the season on Aug. 31 at home vs. North Dakota. They head to Iowa City to face Iowa the following Saturday.