We’re just 37 days away from Iowa State’s season opener against Kansas State in Dublin, Ireland. To help you get ready, we’ll be rolling out a position preview every weekday for the next two weeks. Up next, we preview the offensive line room. Here’s a closer look at the players who will anchor the trenches for the Cyclones this year.
Returners
Brendan Black (Jr.)
Over the past two seasons, Black has appeared in 24 games with 20 starts at right guard, helping Iowa State set a school record for points in a season (435) in 2024 and becoming the first true freshman offensive lineman to start for the Cyclones since 2008.
Dylan Barrett (R-Sr.)
Despite missing six games due to injury, Barrett started all eight games he played at left guard and anchored a line that powered the Cyclones to 27 rushing touchdowns, tied for the fourth-most in program history.
Tyler Miller (R-Sr.)
Over the past four seasons, Miller has been a mainstay on the Iowa State offensive line, starting 38 consecutive games and appearing in 43 overall. In 2024, he started all 14 games at right tackle, helping the Cyclones to a school record 11 wins. In 2023, he started all 13 games at right tackle, blocking for an offense that posted a school-record 446 passing yards in a game, the second-most receiving yards in a game (214), and a freshman rushing record of 276 yards. In 2022, he played in all 12 games with 10 starts at left tackle, helping the offense average nearly 370 yards per game, including the third-best passing average in school history (261.8). He made his debut in 2021, playing in four games and earning his first start against Clemson in the Cheez-It Bowl.
James Neal III (R-Sr.)
In the last two seasons, Neal has played in 27 games with 20 starts, showcasing versatility across the offensive line. In 2024, he appeared in all 14 games, starting seven — including the first four at left tackle, two at left guard, and one at tight end. In 2023, he started all 13 games at left tackle.
Trevor Buhr (R-So.)
Appeared in 13 games, earning six starts, including the final four games of the season at left guard.
Tyler Maro (R-Sr.)
Maro has appeared in 29 games over four seasons, contributing primarily on special teams and as a backup offensive lineman, with his first career start coming against Kansas in 2024 as an extra lineman.
Jim Bonifas (R-Sr.)
In three seasons, Bonifas has played in 25 games, including all 13 starts at center in 2023, when he helped the Cyclones’, offense set multiple school records. He also saw action as a reserve lineman in 2022 and 2024.
Deylin Hasert (R-Jr.)
Missed the 2023 season due to a fall camp injury and appeared in three games in 2024.
Garret Rutledge (R-Fr.)
Redshirted in 2024 and played his high school ball at Lewis Central High School in Iowa.
Carson Rhodes (R-Fr.)
Redshirted in 2024 and played his high school ball at Nevada High School in Iowa. Came to Iowa State as a tight end and converted to offensive line.
Makai Sat (Jr.)
Sat played two seasons at Allan Hancock College, earning two National North League All-Conference honors while appearing in 21 games.
Dontrell Holt (R-Fr.)
Redshirted in 2024 and played his high school ball at Joplin High School in Missouri.
Gabriel Greenlee (R-Jr.)
Active in three games in 2024, a squad member in 2023, and redshirted in 2022.
Easton Eledge (R-Jr.)
A three-year team member.
Additions
Vaea Ikakoula (Fr.)
He played high school football at West High School in Utah and earned three-star ratings from all major recruiting services. Recognized as one of Utah’s top 20 players and ranked among the top 120 interior offensive linemen nationally by the 247Sports Composite, he chose Iowa State over notable programs like Arkansas, Arizona State, Boston College, California, Colorado, Oklahoma State, and Stanford.
Koul Koul II (Fr.)
Kuol played high school football at Centerville High School in Ohio and was rated a four-star recruit by 247Sports, with three-star rankings from On3, ESPN, and Rivals. On3 ranked him as the No. 36 player in Ohio and the No. 52 offensive tackle nationally. He picked Iowa State over Boston College and Purdue.
Sione Perkins (Fr.)
Perkins played at Eagle High School and earned three-star ratings from ESPN, Rivals, and 247Sports, which ranked him as the No. 2 player in Idaho.
Austin Barrett (R-So.)
The younger brother to Cyclone Dylan Barrett transferred over from the University of Indiana where he redshirted in 2023, then played in five games as a reserve offensive lineman in 2024.
Derek Jensen (R-Fr.)
Jensen transferred in from the University of Wisconsin where he redshirted in 2024. Jensen prepped at Arrowhead High School for Matthew Harris where he was teammates with Iowa State teammates Tripp Walsh and Jace J. Gilbert.
Will Tompkins (Fr.)
He played at Cedar Falls High School and was rated a three-star offensive lineman and a top five player in the state by ESPN and On3, with On3 ranking him as the nation’s No. 34 offensive tackle.
Departures
Evan Ladwig
Medically retired after the 2024 season.
Jarrod Hufford
Played in 55 games as a Cyclone, starting in the final 47 of them. Signed as an undrafted free agent to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Blaine Sandquist
Transferred after redshirting in 2024.
Aiden Gilmore
Transferred after the 2024 season.
Owen Westemyer
Transferred after the 2024 season.
George Nahas
Transferred after the 2024 season to the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Jalen Travis
Drafted by the Indianapolis Colts with pick No. 127 in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Wade Helton
Transferred after the 2024 season to the Arizona State Sun Devils.
Brent Helton
Transferred after the 2024 season to the Arizona State Sun Devils.
AJ Burton
Transferred after the 2024 season to the Northern Colorado Bears.
Isaiah Seymour
Transferred after the 2024 season.
Season Outlook
In the heart of any successful offense lies a dependable, physical offensive line — and that will be no different for Iowa State this season. The Cyclones’ offensive line enters the 2025 season as one of the deepest and most competitive units in head coach Matt Campbell’s tenure, thanks to a blend of returning veterans and impactful transfers/freshman. With positional versatility emphasized by offensive line coach Ryan Clanton, players like Tyler Miller and James Neal anchor the tackle spots, while Dylan Barrett and Brendan Black solidify the interior. The addition of transfers Austin Barrett and Derek Jensen has intensified competition, and redshirt sophomore Trevor Buhr is emerging as a breakout candidate at guard. Center duties are expected to be handled by either Barrett, Brendan Black or Jim Bonifas, all of whom bring experience and leadership.
Who will replace Jarrod Hufford at center?
As Iowa State gears up for its 2025 campaign, the battle to replace Jarrod Hufford at center has become one of the most intriguing storylines in Ames. Redshirt senior Jim Bonifas, who started all 13 games at center in 2023 before being supplanted last season, is determined to reclaim his spot. Bonifas brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record anchoring the Cyclone line.
On the other side of the trenches stands Brendan Black, a rising junior who’s spent two seasons starting at right guard and is now being coached for a potential transition to center. Black’s physicality and versatility have impressed offensive line coach Ryan Clanton, who values his ability to adapt and communicate across the line. While Bonifas offers reliability and familiarity because he’s played the position in live action, Black’s upside and long-term potential make this a true toss-up. As fall camp looms, this will be a heavy position battle to watch closely.
Can the line keep Rocco Becht clean?
The offensive line enters 2025 with both momentum and expectations after a breakout 2024 season that helped the Cyclones finish 11-3 and earn a Pop-Tarts Bowl victory over ACC power Miami. Iowa State allowed just 16 sacks for 78 yards across 13 games last season—a testament to their pass protection and cohesion up front. Anchored by veterans like Tyler Miller and Jalen Travis at tackle, and bolstered by interior stalwarts Dylan Barrett and Brendan Black, the line gave quarterback Rocco Becht the time he needed to throw. Their ability to keep Becht upright was a key factor in Iowa State averaging 31.9 points per game, ranking 42nd nationally.
Heading into 2025, the unit looks even stronger. With Barrett and Black competing for the center role vacated by Jarrod Hufford, and Trevor Buhr emerging at left guard, the Cyclones boast a front five that’s both experienced and versatile. If they can replicate last year’s protection metrics and continue opening lanes for a rushing attack that averaged 160.5 yards per game, Becht should have every opportunity to build on his stellar 2024 and lead Iowa State back to the Big 12 title game and beyond.
We will continue our position previews on CycloneFanatic.com. You can check out our previews for the quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers at those links.
