By Eric Stock
NORMAL – Jake Kolbe showed up to training camp this week 20 pounds stronger.
The added weight will come in handy for the junior quarterback from Naperville as he may be forced to help carry an offense that’s replacing its entire starting offensive line heading into the 2017 season.
Kolbe said during ISU’s football Media Day, he is ready to have a breakout season after an injury-plagued 2016 campaign.
“I definitely can improve a ton on my own in the stuff I need to do, but really just trying to help out others be a better leader for this offense,” Kolbe said. “I’ve put more emphasis on that than I have in the past because I have a better understanding of what we are doing.”
Kolbe threw for 2,703 yards and 22 touchdowns in leading ISU to a 6-6 season in his first year as the starting quarterback.
“I think he’s in a much better place right now, this is truly his team,” coach Brock Spack said “You can see it this summer, he took control of this team and it’s a whole different Jake right now.”
Sophomore running backs James Robinson and Markel Smith are expected to compete for time in the backfield.
One of the leaders for an experienced Redbird defense is senior defensive back Davontae Harris, who was just named a STATS FCS Preseason All-American.
“He’s one of the best corners in college football at any level,” Spack declared. “We had a pro scout out there today, and said ‘He’s pretty big. I said ‘He’s pretty fast and pretty tough and really smart.’ ”
Harris is his own toughest critic.
There’s a lot I see in my game that I need to work on, so its going to be a little bit of everything and try to mold it all together to become the complete player,” Harris said.
While the Redbird offense has to replace five starters, junior defensive back Cole Bumpus from Normal West said the D is prepared to lead they way if it has to.
“Like last year it seemed the defense was a little stronger, and then it kept us games a lot more when the offensive struggling. It kept points off the board,” Bumpus said. “I think that will be the way it goes this year too.”
ISU opens the season Sept. 2 at home against Butler.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
