Dec 28, 2024; Orlando, FL, Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht (3) warms up before a game against the Miami Hurricanes the Pop Tarts bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
AMES — He matured. He developed. And he became a true mentor.
Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht ticked off virtually every box in terms of personal and team goals in 2024, helping guide the Cyclones to their first 11-win season in program history.
So what’s the 6-1, 210-pound junior’s mission this season? Be even sharper on all fronts.
“Obviously the leadership part, on and off the field, in the locker room — becoming a guy (like) Jaylin Noel and Beau (Freyler were) on their respective sides of the ball,” said Becht, who threw 25 touchdown passes to nine interceptions last season. “Really speeding up the process of the game for me and being more accurate within the game, and making great decisions. That just comes with the mentality that you have and how you’re able to move on from each play.”
Becht accounted for 16 total touchdowns while throwing just three interceptions in the final six games last year. The Wesley Chapel, Fla., native more than doubled his previous career-high in rushing touchdowns with eight and grew immensely as a technician and surveyor of the field. That’s why he’s expected to make even bigger gains this season, even as sure-fire NFL Draft picks at receiver such as Noel and Jayden Higgins have moved on.
“Rocco is like another offensive coach on our staff,” said ISU offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser, whose unit tied for 17th nationally last season in red zone touchdown conversion rate. “He’s the guy, since we got back (from the Pop-Tarts Bowl win over Miami) who, when the coaches aren’t there, he’s there running practice and going through route. And going through all of our man (coverage) beaters, our zone (coverage) beaters, our concepts — teaching those guys and just getting the timing down. (He’s) getting the feel for those guys and where they’re at; showing those guys what elite work ethic looks like.”
Becht’s working to develop tight bonds with talented transfers such as Xavier Townsend and Chase Sowell, who bring complementary skillsets to a deep but unproven room. He’s also deepening his connection to his top tight ends such as Gabe Burkle and former freshman All-American Ben Brahmer, who’s coming off a leg injury that hampered him most of last season.
“One word to describe (Becht) is just, leader,” said Townsend, who became friends with Becht at a young age as they both grew up in the Tampa area. “He’s been leading this team and I’ve been seeing it from afar, but now I can see it up and close and personal and be a part of that. So it’s been great being here and seeing him in that role.”
Becht’s also grown in that area in his two seasons as the Cyclones’ starter. He’s adept at both reading a key position group’s room and reading defenses quickly and adroitly, finding ways to both shore up his teammates’ confidence and shake the spirits of opponents. So from a technical standpoint, Becht’s advanced to the fine-tuning stage, but as a leader, his ceiling remains unlimited.
“He can take another huge step in leadership,” ISU quarterbacks coach Jake Waters said. “And he’s all about it. We lost a lot of good leaders last year, obviously, (so it’s important) for him to take a step there and then use clean up some things fundamentally that we noticed throughout (last) year. You go back and watch the cut-ups and there are little things here and there. He’s an extremely accurate thrower of the football, but there are some little things he can clean up. And just total, big picture, situational football — processing, getting through reads, things like that where he can take another step, he recognizes that and he’s working his tail off to do that.”
He’s also not taking another for granted or leaving anything to chance. Becht’s become a professional in terms of his offseason work, pregame preparation and in-game adjustments. Now he merely needs to be even better at pulling everyone else along with him.
“Coaches are behind me and trust me that I’m gonna be able to get it done,” Becht said. “So I can’t wait.”
