Iowa State football coach Matt Campbell held his annual preseason meeting with the media today (Friday). Campbell says he likes the way this team has shaped up with mix of returning players, new players and those who have transferred in.

The Cyclones have high expectations coming off a 7-6 season. Campbell says they were younger and learned a lot.

He says the one good thing about the injuries and setbacks is they allowed more players to step in.

Campbell says the running backs are one area where they have put in the work in the off-season.

He says sophomore Abu Samma is one example of a player who has gotten bigger during the off-season after breaking out near the end of last year. Iowa State opens the season August 31st in Ames against North Dakota.