Dec 30, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach Matt Campbell during the first half against the Memphis Tigers in the 2017 Liberty Bowl at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Iowa State coach Matt Campbell was asked during the Liberty Bowl press conference about his anticipations for the rest of the football season, which includes shutting the door on the transfer portal.
Campbell alluded that Iowa State detailed last week for players to make their decisions on the portal, and that there may not be another player from the 2023 roster enter the portal the rest of the way.
“That’s what last week was about,” Campbell said. “We’re done with that. So we’re aligned. We’re ready to rock and roll.”
Iowa State has had six players to date enter the portal from the 2023 roster, which is on the better side of the national average in terms of roster continuation.
Campbell added that he didn’t expect many players to opt out of the game, either.
“Opt-out-wise, boy, I can’t imagine (that there will) be much if any,” Campbell said. “You know, I think that’s probably the most exciting thing about our team. And probably where we’re at is, man, a lot of young guys I think (are) really fired up to be able to go play in a bowl game.”
Iowa State’s young roster plays an advantageous role in those decisions.
Many of the team’s top contributors have not played in a bowl game in their college careers, despite Iowa State making its sixth bowl trip in the past seven seasons.
“The funny thing is, it feels like so many of these guys in some way, shape or form haven’t (played) in a bowl game,” Campbell said. “So I think there’s just a general excitement right now around the opportunity to go and put a great finish to a great season.”
Iowa State and Memphis will face off at the AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Friday, December 29 at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN.
