AMES – Perhaps the biggest highlight of the Iowa State football team's annual spring game on Saturday came from true freshman Dylan Lee.
The young running back took a handoff from quarterback Connor Moberly and ran to the middle of the field. Lee ran into a wall of defenders, immediately darted to the right toward the sideline, and then leapt onto the field for a 17-yard touchdown.
“He's good at it,” Iowa State starting quarterback Rocco Becht said. “He has good vision, so he can see where he's going to bounce and he has the acceleration to get to the outside.”
Lee's run into the end zone was the Cyclones' only touchdown of the day. It was perhaps the biggest play of the day by the biggest star of the day. Lee gained a game-high 80 yards on the ground. He also caught one of his passes, giving Iowa State fans a glimpse of what's to come later this fall.
“I feel comfortable with him everywhere,” Becht said. “And I’m looking forward to seeing where we can put him.”
The Cyclones have always expected big things from Lee, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound native of Gilbert, Arizona. Lee was ranked 65th.th-Was the nation's best running back by ESPN as a three-star prospect in high school. He was a star prep player who ran for 3,594 yards in his final two high school seasons, averaging nearly eight yards per carry.
He could be a star in college as well. Lee graduated from high school early and enrolled during the winter to start his college career. That time in Ames allowed him to showcase his versatile skill set as a strong ball carrier and pass catcher. While these traits are impressive, his greatest attribute is his athleticism.
“I don't think there were any slow moments for him the first week of practice,” Becht said. “He's full speed ahead, every rep he gives 100 percent. Whether he's doing it right or wrong, he's going 100 percent.”
That was evident on Saturday. Lee was the star of the show's offense, and perhaps the entire game, averaging 4.7 yards per carry, including a 22-yard run. He acquired most of his reps while watching from the sideline alongside many of Iowa State's offensive stars, including Becht and Cyclones likely starting running back Abu Samah III.
“He had a great day today, that's for sure,” Iowa State linebacker Caleb Bacon said. “So it'll be fun to watch him.”
Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said after the game that he wanted to allow his young players to be on the field to see how they performed. Lee certainly made the most of his opportunity. After the game, Campbell was asked by fans at Saturday's scrimmage if he got anything from the offense.
Campbell initially said there was no such thing. He then recanted and credited Lee and his breakthrough performance.
“Dylan Lee has talent,” Campbell said. “And I think he had a really great spring.”
The true freshman at Iowa State University is not allowed to speak to the media. But Lee's teammates and coaches praised his performance this spring. Even though Iowa State already has a ton of talent at the running back position, including Sama and Carson Hansen, Lee has done well enough to find a way to be on the field this fall.
Both players contributed significantly to Iowa State last season. However, Lee may give them another option in 2024.
“There's going to be a lot of competition in fall camp,” Campbell said. “But I think Dylan was a guy who definitely showed flashes throughout the spring, and it was great to see him put together some great finishes.”
Campbell was impressed with Lee's maturity as he quickly adapted to college life as a freshman and made an immediate impact on the program. He also likes Lee's strength, size, vision and ability to make plays after hits.
There's a lot more to come from Lee, who likely just scratched the surface of the possibilities. With more practice and opportunities coming to Lee, he could become a key part of Iowa State's offense.
“He's great,” Becht said. “What he can do going into the spring as an early comer, there aren't many players who can do that and produce good football. He's progressing every day, every week, and he's been working with us through the fall and into the summer with our coaches. It’s going to get better throughout.”
Tommy Burch, sports operations and features reporter for the Register, has worked at the paper since 2008. He was named Iowa Sportswriter of the Year in 2018, 2020 and 2023. Contact us at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468.
