Bacon is on track to make his first start in Iowa State’s season opener against North Dakota
Iowa State linebacker Caleb Bacon (50) tackles Texas Longhorns running back Jaydon Blue during a game at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames last year. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
AMES — There was a loud shouting. Then came hugs.
Former Iowa State walk-on linebacker Caleb Bacon had just received a scholarship last December, and while he enjoyed the moment, he viewed it as more of a beginning than a crowning achievement.
“It obviously meant a lot to me and was really exciting,” said Bacon, who was a rising star for the Cyclones last season. “But now it’s like nobody cares anymore. I’m not a walk-on. I’m on scholarship and I’m expected to play my best every single game.”
And Bacon – a 6-foot-4, 250-pound junior for Lake Mills – wouldn’t have it any other way.
He is on track to make his first career start in the season opener on Aug. 31 against North Dakota at Jack Trice Stadium. He was also extremely productive as a backup last season, finishing second on the team with 60 tackles while recording 6.5 tackles for loss and three sacks.
“He probably talks a little more and smiles a little more, but yeah, he’s completely changed as a player and a person,” said Colby Kratch, ISU’s new linebackers coach. “It’s been great to see.”
Bacon is a headliner in the Cyclones’ least experienced position group. Fellow junior Will McLaughlin is ISU’s most experienced linebacker with 16 career starts. Sophomore Jack Sadowsky is next after starting every game as a true freshman last season, and Jacob Ellis has two starts in 2023.
In addition, junior Zach Lovett was able to gain valuable experience after transferring from Missouri last season, sophomore Kooper Ebel continues to make waves, and true freshmen Cael Brezina, Beau Goodwin and Mason Miller were able to show impressive performances in fall camp.
So there is a wide selection of linebackers, but many of them are untested.
“I think they complement each other really well and (that) makes for a lot of competition in the room because so many guys are good at different things,” said Kratch, who was a graduate assistant on Matt Campbell’s staff from 2017-2022 before joining North Texas for the 2023 season. “I think they’ve done a great job of working together and understanding that it’s not just the three starters or the (number) twos, it’s everyone, and I think it’s great how they’ve really pushed each other.”
Lovett served as a quarterback spy at times last season, and three of his 11 tackles were sacks. He and Ellis show their versatility at the position, providing solid support in the running and passing game.
“When you’re given a role, you just have to go with it,” Lovett said. “Whether it’s special teams, whether it’s scouting a package, whether it’s playing linebacker on base — honestly, I just take it right away.”
Ebel also has a good chance of getting more playing time this season. He was so good on special teams in 2023 that ISU decided to play him in eight games rather than try to keep his redshirt.
“He’s completely transformed his look,” Kratch said. “The first day he came here, he was 190 pounds in high school, now he’s almost 245 pounds, so he’s a guy that should make a big impression.”
Bacon has already done this, but is determined to do more.
“I just set my expectations for myself very high,” he said. “Just keep working every day.”
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