AMES - Austen Arnaud paused briefly, taking inventory of Iowa State's receiving weapons. Then, the quarterback listed off an abundance of valuable assets.

"We have it all," the Cyclone signal-caller declared. "We have speed, guys that can catch the ball, and guys that run good routes. That's what you need in the spread offense - guys that can make plays.

"This could be very exciting."

A year ago, eight Iowa State receivers hauled in 15 or more catches. Among Big 12 teams, only Texas Tech can make a similar claim. And, all but one of those aforementioned ISU receivers (R.J. Sumrall) returns in 2009.

Factor in Iowa State's new no-huddle offense, and the Cyclones appear poised to fill the air with footballs this season.

"You're gonna see four wideouts a lot," promised first-year head coach Paul Rhoads. "You're gonna see wideouts running all over the field; a spread attack gives you the entire field to work with."

One Iowa State receiver said he expects his squad to possess the ball for roughly 75 plays per game in offensive coordinator Tom Herman's new attack.

Yes, the Cyclones enter 2009 on the heels of a 10-game losing streak. But, if they own one element that can put a scare into opponents, its at receiver.

Consider the arsenal in the Cardinal and Gold's quiver:

Making up the team's current first unit of wideouts are: Darius Darks, who caught a school freshman-record 49 balls in 2008; Sedrick Johnson, a former four-star rivals.com recruit with a 40-inch vertical leap; and Marquis Hamilton, who sports an imposing, 6-foot-3, 224-pound frame.

Tight ends Collin Franklin and Derrick Catlett are also capable pass-catchers who combined for 35 receptions last season.

Among ISU's second-team receivers are: Redshirt-freshman Lonzie Range, who looked impressive in the Cyclones' spring game in April, leading the Gold team with six receptions. Also vying for playing time are junior Jason Carlson, who has looked dangerous on receiver-screens in practice this month; Houston Jones, who had 32 receptions last fall, and juco transfer Darius Reynolds, who has drawn rave reviews from teammates for his 4.4-second 40-yard dash speed.

In addition, Rhoads said he expects "a freshman or two" to push for playing time at receiver. The most heavily recruited freshmen wideouts on ISU's roster are Keith Blanton, Josh Lenz and Donnie Jennert (though Jennert, who stands 6-6, is easily the most rail-thin Cyclone receiver in recent memory).

Johnson, whom Iowa State stole from Texas A&M at the last moment in Feb. 2008, might be the key to the Cyclones' passing game.

The native of Troup, Texas had his moments last season, producing three touchdowns. Yet, some of his key missteps - like a dropped pass or two in ISU's meltdown against Kansas - remain embedded in the minds of Iowa State faithful.

Johnson insists such growing pains are behind him.

"You've gotta keep your foot on the gas. We dropped a couple balls at clutch times," Johnson acknowledged.

"(Learning) plays last year I kinda struggled with," the sophomore added. "So this year I've really gotten into my playbook and really studied it."

Johnson's renewed focus has opened eyes in preseason camp.

"Sedrick Johnson, he had a good summer," noted Hamilton, a senior. "He's matured a lot as a player, and he's got the right mindset. So I think Sedrick Johnson will surprise a lot of people this year."

The Cyclone receivers hope their depth does the same, overwhelming opponents.

"We've all got a competitiveness to us, where we want to be the best," said Darks, "which brings out the best in us."