We’re officially 50 days away from the first Iowa State game under new head coach Matt Campbell. Even with a limited time frame to build the 2016 recruiting class, the new coaching staff compiled an impressive group of newcomers. Which newcomers will play right away? Who will have the biggest impact for Iowa State throughout their careers? Here are my top five most important newcomers from the 2016 recruiting class.

5. Dylan Soehner: Soehner is an interesting player. He was recruited as a tight end, but his 6’6, 280 frame suggests he might end up playing tackle at some point in his career. A three-star recruit from Arkansas, Soehner chose Iowa State over six other schools, including Illinois and Memphis. Soehner can play a big role for Iowa State, especially if he moves to tackle. He has great size and you can never have enough depth on the offensive line.

4. Jacob Park: While Joel Lanning appears to have the starting QB spot locked down heading into 2016, Georgia transfer Jacob Park should serve as a more than capable backup. He was the 93rd overall player in the class of 2014 and the no. 5 pro-style QB. At 6’4, Park has good size and should be the first option to replace Lanning in case of an injury. Park’s arrival is also important because it allows Zeb Noland the ability to redshirt during the 2016 season. Finding a capable backup was a big task for the new coaching staff and Jacob Park is about as good as a backup QB gets.

3. D'Andre Payne: With the transition to a 4-2-5 defense, Matt Campbell had to find more defensive backs that could step in and play on day one. D’Andre Payne fits that role. A four-star prospect from the 2014 class, Payne committed to Tennessee before transferring to Arizona Western in 2015. With the likes of Brian Peavy, Nigel Tribune, Kamari Cotton-Moya, Evrett Edwards, and Payne, the Iowa State secondary has become a strong unit. With the pass happy offenses of the Big 12, athletic defensive backs like Payne are more valuable than ever.

2. Sean Foster: Foster, who stands 6’8 and weighs in at 285 lbs, has the potential to be a long-term starter for Iowa State at OT. Coming from Illinois, Foster was rated as the 33rd OT in the nation and had offers from 14 power conference schools. It’s always hard for offensive linemen to play as true freshman, but Foster may have the tools to do it. He will certainly be a key part of future Iowa State offensive lines. I’d love to see an Iowa State offensive line in three years that features Julian Good-Jones, Dylan Soehner, and Foster.

1. Chase Allen: While Allen doesn’t necessarily play a critical position -- tight end -- he has the potential to be a crucial part of the offense for four years. Allen will almost certainly see the field plenty as a true freshman. Boasting offers from Michigan, Oklahoma State, and Florida State, Allen is one of the most highly touted newcomers on the roster. We’ve seen what a great tight end can do for Iowa State; EJ Bibbs was huge as a senior in 2014 and he showed what a luxury a top tight end can be. If Allen can be a redzone target like Bibbs, Iowa State’s offense may be better than expected. Allen will have the chance to break plenty of Iowa State tight end records if he plays four years, and because of that, I think he is the most important 2016 Cyclone signee.