AMES - Gene Chizik, the foreman of Iowa State's football squad, has demanded increased output from his team's deep threats.

He may just get it from some young - yet eager - workers.

"We've gotta have playmakers at wideout," Chizik said. "I need production."

Clearly, the coach studied the numbers from last year, when ISU's production largely plummeted in the vertical passing game.

For example, the Cyclones ranked No. 102 nationally in offensive yards per game (326.9) last season. Also in 2007, no team in the Big 12 had worse stats in average per pass (5.8 yards) or average per catch (9.6) than Iowa State.

In a Big 12 conference replete with big-name passers, Iowa State is desperate to keep up.

Fortunately, upperclassmen like R.J. Sumrall and Marquis Hamilton should be able to offer assistance. That duo combined for 97 receptions last season.

"We do have potential," Sumrall said, referring to the Cyclones' receiving corps. "We just haven't tapped into that yet. Our coaches are trying to instill that in us, and we're trying to soak it up."

The buzzword in Ames this preseason has been "yac" - as in 'yards after catch.' Chizik calls that stat "Cyclone yards."

The coach also likes to throw around the phrase "explosive plays," which, in football parlance, refer to plays that gain 20 or more yards.

"But," noted Hamilton, "'explosive play' could also mean catching a short ball and taking it long.

"I think (Chizik) wants us to be more explosive with the long pass - after the catch - and get Cyclone yards,'" added the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Hamilton, who averaged 11.9 yards per catch in 2007.

"Nothing makes a wide receiver happier than to hear (coaches want long pass plays)," noted Euseph Messiah, listed as a second-stringer prior to preseason camp.

"All that's gonna do is motivate me, after I catch the ball, to make something happen."

The Cyclones' receiving corps was dealt a bit of blow recently when second-stringer Wallace Franklin was suspended indefinitely for legal issues. Yet, numerous youngsters could step up in his absence.

Of ISU's 25 first-year players, three are talented freshmen wideouts from Texas: Sedrick Johnson (Troup, Texas), Darius Darks (Austin) and Lonzie Range (Carrollton). Darks, who picked ISU over Michigan State and Nebraska, is expected to play in the season opener. Range, who endured an ACL injury as a prep senior, is a wild-card.

Sophomore speedster Jason Carlson, a transfer from North Dakota State College of Science, could also display his 4.4 40-yard dash speed early this fall.

By all accounts, Johnson - whom ISU stole from Texas A&M at the last second during recruiting season - is a rare talent. But the Cyclone contingent has high hopes for all four of the aforementioned youngsters.

"They're smart; they're picking up plays," noted Sumrall. "And they're willing to learn.

"A lot of newcomers come in and think they're the star. Our newcomers came in humble. And they came in level-headed."

Contact Kelly Beaton at (319) 291-1456 or kelly.beaton@wcfcourier.com