Iowa State counting on JUCO linemen
One of Iowa State’s biggest questions entering preseason practice was its defensive line.
The Cyclones are hoping to see three junior college transfers emerge as quality Big 12 players as soon as possible.
Iowa State (3-9 in 2016) was hit hard by attrition, losing starters Demond Tucker, Jhaustin Thomas and Mitchell Meyers to graduation. The Cyclones responded by hitting the transfer market, signing Matt Leo, Ray Lima and Kamilo Tongamoa in the offseason.
Tongamoa hasn’t arrived on campus yet because he’s finishing up academic work. But coach Matt Campbell said on Monday, when the Cyclones held their first fall practice, that Tongamoa is expected to be in Ames this week.
UCF kicker ruled ineligible
UCF kicker Donald De La Haye has made the decision to give up football rather than give up making advertising money off of videos on YouTube that he produced.
The university released a statement Monday saying De La Haye did not accept the conditions of waiver received from the NCAA and has been ruled ineligible to compete. The statement said UCF officials petitioned the NCAA on De La Haye’s behalf and got the governing body to allow De La Haye to continue to make money off of videos that did not depict him as a student-athlete. But the YouTube videos that depict him as a student-athlete would have to broadcast on a non-monetized account.
Utah safety out
Utah starting safety Chase Hansen is out indefinitely.
The university announced Monday that the junior is “unavailable to practice until further notice.”
Hansen started all 13 games in 2016 and received an All-Pac-12 honorable mention after leading the team with 90 tackles, including 7.5 for loss, three forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.
Nebraska receiver’s cleared of charges
A misdemeanor charge of marijuana possession against Nebraska receiver Stanley Morgan Jr. has been dropped.
Teammate Antonio Reed is scheduled to go to trial Aug. 21 on misdemeanor drug charges stemming from the same traffic stop in Florida last spring.
Morgan, from New Orleans, was arrested May 6 in Port Orange, Florida, after police found him to have in excess of 20 grams of marijuana.
Coach Mike Riley said he would announce later whether either player will face team discipline.