Matt Campbell and his assistants weren’t going to pitch their players on staying at Iowa State. When the NCAA in August approved a blanket waiver, allowing all 2020 fall sports seniors to return in 2021, Iowa State’s coaches took a hands-off approach.
“There was not one ounce of us trying to say, ‘We recruit guys back here, or we hope guys are back,'” Campbell said. “It was like, ‘How can I give you guys the facts?’ I really just wanted our team to make the best decision for them. You can come back and there’s still nothing guaranteed. You can go out to practice tomorrow and your career can be over.
“We’ll always be better at Iowa State the older we are as a football team.”
Fortunately for Iowa State, many key players are choosing to grow older in Ames this fall. The Cyclones not only retained several draft-eligible juniors — quarterback Brock Purdy, tight end Charlie Kolar and linebacker Mike Rose, the 2020 Big 12 defensive player of the year — but a key group of so-called “super seniors,” who will play their fifth or sixth seasons in the fall.
A Cyclones team coming off its first Big 12 championship game appearance and highest-ever AP Poll finish (No. 9) will be flush with experience in 2021. Iowa State’s super seniors help make Campbell’s team a legitimate contender for a once-unthinkable goal: the College Football Playoff.
“It’s always been about: Can we get guys to be great juniors and seniors in our program?” Campbell said. “The situation that happened last year, and then, obviously, with the carryover of this rule, I certainly think our program has benefited having older players around our young players to continue having success.”
Iowa State is among the FBS teams — mostly developmental programs — that will most benefit from the blanket waiver in 2021. The return of super seniors adds star power for some squads, and depth in critical areas for others. Players who normally would be out of college football could make the difference in the championship chase this fall.
Here’s a look at the Cyclones and 12 other teams stocked with key super seniors.
Power 5
The Cyclones’ draft-eligible rising seniors are the bigger names — Purdy, Rose and Kolar all are national awards candidates — but the super senior group could help the team take the next step. Defensive back Greg Eisworth II is the first Iowa State player to earn first-team All-Big 12 honors three times, and enters his final season with 199 career tackles, 19 pass breakups and three interceptions. He and Rose will lead a defense that finished second in the league in points allowed (21.4) last fall. ISU also brings back linebacker Jake Hummel, who ranked second behind Rose in tackles and has 148 career stops (12.5 for loss). Defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike, who had eight tackles for loss in 2020, will form a strong pass-rushing tandem with junior Will McDonald IV and help offset the loss of JaQuan Bailey (seven sacks, 13 tackles for loss).
The offense retains tackle Sean Foster, who will protect Purdy’s blind side for the second straight year and boasts 19 career starts. Tight end Chase Allen has earned second-team All-Big 12 honors the past three seasons, and will complement Kolar while playing his sixth year in the program. Connor Assalley enters his fourth season as ISU’s top kicker.
“It’s guys who have had to come up really the rough side of the mountain and it’s allowed them to share their story and to have guys rally around our story,” Campbell said. “The situation that happened last year, and then obviously, with the carryover of this rule, I certainly think our program has benefited having older players around our young players. You always want to know the history of where you’ve come from. A lot of times, it certainly teaches us how we move forward and maybe what we should appreciate, what we have.
“To have some living history within our team and in our program who are still living within our walls, those things are really powerful.”
Especially as Iowa State prepares to make more history.
The Hurricanes don’t have as many super seniors as others on the list, but their quality exceeds most teams’ quantity. Quarterback D’Eriq King, who last season helped transform an underachieving offense alongside coordinator Rhett Lashlee, will return after sustaining an ACL tear in Miami’s bowl loss to Oklahoma State. King, who had decided to use the waiver before the game, gives Miami a career 7,611-yard passer with 73 passing touchdowns, 32 rushing touchdowns and nearly 2,000 rushing yards. If King recovers from his injury at or near full strength, Miami could build on an offense that improved 64 spots in scoring from 2019 to 2020. King will have help from wide receiver Mike Harley, who also comes back after leading Miami in receptions (57) and receiving yards (799), while tying for the team lead in touchdown receptions (7). Starting right tackle Jarrid Williams, who transferred with King from Houston after the 2019 season, also is back for his seventh college season after starting 10 games last fall.
Miami returns safety Bubba Bolden, who led the team in both tackles (74) and forced fumbles (4) in 2020. The USC transfer earned second-team All-ACC honors. Veteran defender Zach McCloud is returning for a sixth year, and will help at linebacker or defensive end. Although McCloud contributed more for Miami from 2016 to 2018, he enters the fall with 165 career tackles and 40 starts. Defensive tackle Jonathan Ford, who started nine games and had 19 tackles last season, also is back.
New coach Bret Bielema inherits a very experienced roster, which includes several super seniors who remained through the regime change. Quarterback Brandon Peters, who has 20 career starts between Illinois (16) and Michigan (4), returns for his sixth year with 2,993 career pass yards and 25 touchdowns. Veteran offensive tackle Alex Palczewski (40 starts) also is back after undergoing surgery in December for a midseason ACL tear. Along with Palczewski, Illinois’ offensive line benefits most from the holdovers with center Doug Kramer and left tackle Vederian Lowe, both of whom have 40 career starts, returning this fall. Wofford transfer Blake Jeresaty, an FCS All-America selection at center, joins the group after missing all of the 2020 season following shoulder surgery.
The Illini also get help on defense and special teams. Linebacker Jake Hansen‘s surprising reversal — he initially declared for the NFL draft before returning earlier this month — gives the defense a prolific playmaker with 10 career forced fumbles, three interceptions, six fumble recoveries and 26 tackles for loss. Defensive ends Owen Carney (five sacks, seven tackles for loss in 2020) and Isaiah Gay, and defensive tackle Roderick Perry are all back. So is defensive back Tony Adams and other injury-plagued players. Illinois also regains Blake Hayes, the 2019 Big Ten punter of the year, who averages 43.4 yards per punt with 55 punts of 50 yards or longer and 91 placed inside the opponents’ 20-yard line. James McCourt, who has handled field goals and kickoffs the past two seasons, also will be back.
The Bears’ high hopes in 2020 never materialized, as they played only four games, lost in heartbreaking fashion to rival Stanford and beat eventual Pac-12 champion Oregon in their finale. But Cal gets a chance for a redo, in part because of 10 super seniors. Justin Wilcox’s signature defense is bolstered by the return of linebackers Kuony Deng and Cameron Goode, both of whom have earned All-Pac-12 recognition. Deng, a junior college transfer, had 119 tackles in 2019 and has 10 tackles for loss in two seasons with Cal. Goode had eight tackles for loss in four games last fall, and has 14 sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss in his Cal career. Cal’s secondary also is fortified by the returns of safety Elijah Hicks (34 career starts, 141 tackles) and Josh Drayden (three interceptions, 12 pass breakups).
Other than linebacker, offensive line is the position where Cal most benefits from super seniors. Three players with starting experience are all back — center Michael Saffell, guard Gentle Williams and Valentino Daltoso, who has started games at both tackle spots and right guard. Marcel Dancy adds depth at running back, and wide receiver Kekoa Crawford, a transfer from Michigan, has 55 career catches for 794 yards and five touchdowns.
Coach Matt Wells needs to win in 2021 after going 8-14 in his first two seasons. His team once again includes several notable transfers, but also a group of seniors capitalizing on the extra year of eligibility. Texas Tech’s super seniors include five starters in the defensive back seven. Linebackers Colin Schooler and Riko Jeffers combined for 121 tackles in 2020, and boast more than 600 combined in their college careers. The versatile Jacob Morgenstern, who had 4.5 tackles for loss in his first season at Texas Tech, also is back. Texas Tech’s secondary also regains safety Eric Monroe, who ranked third on the team with 60 tackles in 2020, and cornerback DaMarcus Fields, who led the Big 12 in passes defended last fall (1.4 per game) and will enter his fifth season as a starter.
The offense regains tackle Josh Burger, who has made 38 career starts between Texas Tech and Wofford. Top tight end Travis Koontz is back, and wide receiver McLane Mannix and defensive back Seth Collins are looking to stay healthy after injury-shortened 2020 seasons. Collins is a former starting quarterback at Oregon State who will play his seventh college season at three different positions.
The Beavers went 2-5 in 2020 but were competitive in almost every game, dropping three contests by six points or fewer. An influx of super seniors could help Oregon State take the next step under coach Jonathan Smith. Four starters from last fall return, including two on an improving offensive line in center Nathan Eldridge, a first-team All-Pac-12 selection, and guard Nous Keobounnam. Top receiver Trevon Bradford returns, alongside linebacker Andrzej Hughes-Murray (23 tackles, four for loss). Although the offensive holdovers undoubtedly will help — Bradford boasts 109 career catches — Oregon State’s defense could get a bigger boost.
Linemen Jordan Whittley and Jeromy Reichner both can be effective when healthy. The 358-pound Whittley, who didn’t play in 2020 because of a heart issue, recorded 3.5 tackles for loss and started a game in 2019. Linebacker Doug Taumoelau has four starts in 40 career games, and will enter 2021 with 122 career tackles. Oregon State also regains Caleb Lightbourn, who averaged 40.2 yards per punt in 2020 and also handled kickoffs.
The Lane Kiffin era began with plenty of highlights, especially on offense. The Rebels won four of their final five games, including an Outback Bowl triumph over No. 7 Indiana. Ole Miss now hopes to be more competitive in the SEC West, and boasts an experienced group on both sides. Of the 10 super seniors returning, five were starters 2020 and the other five all started at least two games. Kiffin’s dynamic passing game once again will feature wideouts Dontario Drummond and Braylon Sanders, who combined for 40 receptions and 11 touchdowns last season.
But the bigger impact should come on a defense that finished 117th nationally in points allowed and 126th in yards allowed. Linebackers Sam Williams and Lakia Henry combined for 6.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and 102 tackles in 2020. Safety Jon Haynes started 10 games in his first season after transferring in from junior college. The secondary also returns Jaylon Jones, who recorded 27 tackles in only 27 games during an injury-shortened season. Jones has 127 career tackles. Tariqious Tisdale (80 tackles) adds to the defensive line, and Mac Brown has a 43.6-yard career punting average.
The Utes were an extremely old team in 2019, when they reached the Pac-12 title game at 11-0 and ranked No. 5 nationally. An NFL exodus followed the season, but Utah once again is stocked with veterans, thanks in part to the blanket waiver. Only four of Utah’s 17 seniors from the 2020 team elected to move on. Among the super seniors is defensive end Maxs Tupai, who has started games in each of the past three seasons and enters the fall with 10.5 career tackles for loss. Defensive tackle Viane Moala, who started three of the team’s five games in 2020, will rejoin Tupai up front. Utah’s secondary also gets a nice boost with safety Vonte Davis, who last fall tied for the team lead in interceptions (2) and forced a fumble.
Most of Utah’s returning super seniors on offense aren’t rotation players, but veteran receiver Samson Nacua will help whoever wins the team’s quarterback competition. Nacua led Utah in receiving touchdowns in both 2018 (5) and 2019 (4), and enters his sixth season with 45 appearances (eight starts).
LSU always will be known more for players leaving early to the NFL draft than those sticking around for extra years. But a decent-sized group of super seniors is staying on the Bayou for 2021, which increases the Tigers’ chances for a bounce-back season. LSU gets the biggest boost at the line of scrimmage. Andre Anthony, Neil Farrell and Glen Logan all return in the defensive front, along with offensive line starters Liam Shanahan and Austin Deculus. Anthony led LSU in sacks (5.5) in 2020, while Logan and Farrell have combined for 80 career appearances and 194 tackles (22 for loss). Deculus, LSU’s only remaining starting lineman from the 2019 national title team, enters his fourth year as the starter. Shanahan, a transfer from Harvard, now has a season of SEC ball under his belt at center.
Much of LSU’s receiving corps turns over but Jontre Kirklin is back to join emerging star Kayshon Boutte. Kirklin finished second on the team with three touchdowns in 2020 and averaged 14.2 yards per catch.
Greg Schiano’s second stint as Rutgers coach began with promise, as the Scarlet Knights won three Big Ten games after going winless in league play the previous two seasons. To sustain momentum and ultimately become even more competitive, the Scarlet Knights must upgrade a defense that allowed more than 32 points and nearly 450 yards per game in 2020. They will get some help from several super seniors. Linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi, who led Rutgers in both total tackles (101) and tackles for loss (11), returns in 2021 alongside linebacker Tyshon Fogg (70 tackles) and defensive end Mike Tverdov, the team’s top pass rusher (four sacks, five quarterback hurries) last fall. Lineman Julius Turner (137 career tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss) and linebacker Tyreek Maddox-Williams (179 career tackles) are back, along with cornerback Tre Avery (nine passes defended in 2020).
Rutgers also regains its most versatile offensive player in Bo Melton, who has started games in each of the past four seasons (31 total). Last season, he led Rutgers in receptions (47), receiving yards (638), total touchdowns (9) and all-purpose yards (942).
Group of 5
Part of the reason Billy Napier kept saying no to Power 5 opportunities is because he knows how good his team will be in 2021. The Ragin’ Cajuns will have a chance to become the first Sun Belt team to reach a New Year’s Six bowl. After 21 wins the past two seasons, Louisiana will regain nine super seniors for this coming season.
“Those are some of the biggest recruits we signed this year, truth be known,” Napier told reporters last month.
Quarterback Levi Lewis is the biggest name. He will enter his third year as the starter with 6,286 career yards of total offense and 63 touchdowns (54 passing, nine rushing). Lewis also will throw passes to wide receiver Jalen Williams, who averaged 18 yards per catch in 2020 with four touchdowns.
But the real boost comes on defense at all three levels. Second-leading tackler Ferrod Gardner is back after recording a team-high 4.5 sacks in 2020. Fellow linebacker Chauncey Manac has 109 career tackles, including 19 for loss and nine sacks. Tayland Humphrey anchors the middle of the defensive line, while Blair Brooks and Cameron Solomon add depth in the secondary.
The teal-clad, mullet-growing Chanticleers aren’t going anywhere after a historic breakthrough season in 2020. Coach Jamey Chadwell is back, and so is sophomore quarterback Grayson McCall. Twelve super seniors also aren’t ready to leave Conway. Three core pieces from the nation’s No. 19 scoring defense are back in linebackers Silas Kelly and Teddy Gallagher — the team’s top two tacklers who combined for 156 stops in 2020 — and interior lineman C.J. Brewer, who had 11 tackles for loss, six sacks and six quarterback hurries. Safety Kendricks Gladney Jr. and edge rusher Myles Olufemi add depth.
Three super seniors return on the offensive line, including 5-foot-9, 290-pound center Sam Thompson, who became one of the faces of Coastal’s rapid rise. Wide receivers Kameron Brown and Greg Latushko, who combined for 35 receptions and 538 yards as reserves in 2020, are both back and should slide into starting roles. Punter Charles Ouverson is back for his second year as the starter.
Andy Avalos received a nice gift in his return to Boise State. The new Broncos coach would have eight super seniors at his disposal for his debut season leading the program. Among those returning is linebacker Riley Whimpey, Boise State’s tackles leader the past two seasons, who has 216 career stops in 42 appearances. Wide receiver CT Thomas, who averaged 17.4 yards per reception in 2020 and has 117 career receptions and 10 touchdowns, is back for a fifth year. The offensive line gets a boost with the return of starting guard Jake Stetz, along with Uzo Osuji, a Rice transfer who likely will start at right tackle after sharing time there in 2020.
Boise State also retains nickel safety Kekaula Kaniho, an all-conference player who led the team in pass breakups (7) in 2020. Kaniho has started in each of the past four seasons, and boasts great career totals (22.5 tackles for loss, five interceptions, 26 passes defended, three forced fumbles, three fumbles recovered). Top punter Joel Velazquez returns along with linebacker Brock Miller, a starter at NC State in 2019, and wide receiver Octavius Evans.