Peterson: Iowa State replacing its best receiver ever (Allen Lazard) with its most talented (Hakeem Butler)

AMES, Ia. — Close the statistics book. Use what you see on the football field to answer this question:

Which Iowa State receiver — if any — will be the next Allen Lazard?

If you’re still stumped, Lazard offered up this suggestion Tuesday after finishing the Cyclones’ annual Pro Day.

“Hakeem Butler — for sure,” Lazard said when I asked who could be the next Allen Lazard. “He’s got more potential than probably I did. He just has to bring it every single day and be the man.”

The Man, all 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds of him, will be a junior when Iowa State opens the season Sept. 1 at home against South Dakota State. And if The Man plays a senior season, he could land among the school’s top five in many career receiver categories — including biggies such as receptions, yards and touchdowns.

Not bad for a guy who caught just nine passes during his freshman season in 2016.

"He was probably our most explosive player,” receivers coach Bryan Gasser said. “He may not look fast, but he can cover a lot of ground in a hurry. He can cover 10 yards pretty quickly.

“He’s a sneaky fast guy. He’s a smooth runner; a loose runner.”

He showed all of that while abusing Baylor’s secondary on one play during a 23-13 win in Waco, with a ridiculous one-handed catch that resulted in a 67-yard touchdown.

The catch, with an overmatched defender hanging on his right arm, would have by itself been highlight-reel material. What made the pass from Zeb Noland more highlight-worthy was what Butler did after the catch — the way he eluded defenseless defenders over the final 23 yards of his amazing play.

The next Lazard?

It’s that big-play potential — his catch-and-run plays of 74, 67, 57 and 52 yards — that sets him apart. Those were four of Iowa State’s six plays from scrimmage last season that exceeded 50 yards.

“He can go up and get it against anyone,” Lazard said. “And then with his speed ...”

Butler is more of a deep threat, one of the best the Big 12 Conference will have next season. He’s got huge hands. Throw up a contested pass, and I’ll take Butler every time.

“He’s got a very good feel for releases at the line of scrimmage,” Gasser said. “If you press him, with his length and ability to create separation, that’s his advantage.”

Butler caught 41 passes for 697 yards and seven touchdowns during Iowa State’s 8-5 season. His five receptions for 111 yards in the Liberty Bowl win against Memphis included a 52-yard touchdown.

“Hakeem’s a great specimen,” receiver teammate Matthew Eaton said. “He can do everything. He’s freaky good.”

Butler did what he did last season as an inside receiver. Lazard was the Cyclones’ primary outside threat.

Butler against a middle linebacker? Iowa State’s trio of quarterbacks took advantage of that mismatch as much as they could.

Butler on the outside?

“When you’re out there, it’s man-to-man against a corner,” Butler said.

Also on the outside, it’s the tall and talented receiver against defensive backs that were an average of four inches shorter last season.

“My speed creeps up on people because of my (long) strides,” Butler went on.

Inside or outside — it’s a good dilemma to have. It’s what Butler’s spring practice is about.

“First and foremost with Hakeem, we have to figure out what his role’s going to be,” Gasser said. “Are we going to play him like we did last year on the inside, or are we going to play him on the outside?”

Maybe he’ll play both.

“We’re trying to figure that out,” Butler said. “We all saw what I can do from the slot.”

To be fair, Lazard was so good that he often drew double-teams. Someone was left open, or in simple man-to-man coverage.

Most of the time, that person was Butler.

“It’s different without Allen,” Butler said. “At the same time, we all knew he was on his way out and onto better things.

“I was preparing for this last year.”

Iowa State columnist Randy Peterson has been with the Register for parts of five decades. Randy writes opinion and analysis of Iowa State football and basketball. You can reach Randy at rpeterson@dmreg.com or on Twitter at @RandyPete.