Position Preview: Quarterbacks

We are 40 days away until Iowa State kicks off the season against Kansas State in Ireland. To keep getting you prepared for the season, we will have a position preview every weekday for the next two weeks. Naturally, we will start with the most important position on the field.

Returners:
Rocco Becht (RS Jr.)
Two-year starter Rocco Becht returns to Iowa State for his year under center after leading the Cyclones to the Big 12 Championship game in 2024. As a redshirt sophomore, Becht threw for 3,505 yards at a 59.4% with a 25-9 TD-INT ratio.
Connor Moberly (RS Fr.)
Appeared in four games as a true freshman, throwing for 49 yards and rushing for 51. Former three-star recruit from Southeast Polk.
Major Cantrell (RS Fr.)
Redshirted as a true freshman. Walk-on from Tulsa, OK.
Wyatt Bohm (RS So.)
Practice squad player in 2024. Originally from Mahomet, IL.

Additions:
Alex Manske (Fr.)
Four-star quarterback by 247sports from Algona. Ranked as the 25th quarterback in the class of 2025 by 247, was also invited to the Elite 11 camp. Before suffering a season-ending torn UCL during his senior year, Manske had completed 68.5% of his passes for 1,456 yards with 18 touchdowns and 0 interceptions.

Departures:
JJ Kohl
Transferred to Appalachian State, saw action in four games in two seasons, didn’t attempt a pass in 2024 as third-string quarterback.
Tanner Hughes
Graduated, didn’t see field in 2024.

Season Outlook

There’s no doubt that this position is one of, if not the biggest, strength on Iowa State’s roster. Rocco Becht has now proven himself to be one of the better quarterbacks in the Big 12 in his first two years as a starter.

In 2024, Becht ranked third in the Big 12 with 3,505 yards with a completion percentage of 59.4%. Rocco’s TD-INT of 25-9 ranks fifth of qualifying QBs in the conference. Aside from the stats, Becht led four game-winning drives in the final two minutes to help lead the Cyclones to the first 11-win season in program history.

What’s the next step for QB1?

While Becht’s pedigree speaks for itself, there’s plenty of room for him to grow in as a redshirt junior. Of his nine interceptions in 2024, four of them were pick sixes. That’s just not going to cut it. Frankly, it’s a miracle that Iowa State pulled out the win against UCF when he threw two pick sixes in the same game. Credit Rocco for the guts to pull the game out, but those pick sixes have to be cut completely out. How does that happen? His accuracy outside of the numbers is where he needs to improve the most. Becht’s accuracy over the middle of the field is one of the best in the country but the majority of his problems have come down the sidelines, which also makes interceptions a lot easier to be returned.

Other than the pick sixes, Becht’s accuracy in general needs to get better. His completion percentage went down by 3% from 2023 and 2024 and I think it showed. Rocco had some rough games by his standards that he made up for with late game heroics. I know that he and the staff would both like himself to be more consistent throughout the game so that the team doesn’t need to rely on the two minute drill as much.

With that being said, I do think Becht is poised for a big year. He closed the year in the Pop Tarts Bowl with his best performance of the season and has proven time and time again the caliber of player he is, especially when the lights are brightest. Assuming he won’t be starting the year with a shoulder issue again, Becht’s experience and poise will help Xavier Townsend and Chase Sowell fit in and help soften the blow of losing Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins.

Who’s the backup?

This will most likely be a two horse race between Connor Moberly and Alex Manske and I would give an edge to Moberly for two reasons. 1. The staff clearly thinks highly of Moberly if he beat out former four-star JJ Kohl and ultimately pushed him out of the program. 2. Manske is coming off of a serious arm injury. He has been cleared but still is probably slightly behind the curve of a normal freshman quarterback. Either way, these are two guys that I very well could see as the next QB1 after Becht’s career.

However, if Manske is able to beat out Moberly for the backup position this early, it reinforces my belief more than Manske will be the next guy under center in Ames.

What’s at stake for Rocco in 2025?

Rocco Becht’s legacy in Ames is already strong. He led Iowa State to the first 10-win season in school history and did it in pretty memorable fashion. He’s known as a winner and always will be. With that being said, there’s still a lot on the line for Becht this season: for his legacy and his future.

Legacy-wise, Rocco is clearly a top-five QB in school history and that’s just being conservative. Considering what he’s already accomplished, he’s probably top-three. How much more can he cement his legacy?

The gold standard is Brock Purdy and I don’t think Rocco can catch Brock short of a playoff win or something unheard of but aside from stats, I think a big part of Purdy’s legacy that Becht can replicate is winning with different weapons. Who remembers when it was a question if Purdy could win without David Montgomery and Hakeem Butler? Then all he did was win more with Breece Hall and Xavier Hutchinson. Rocco is in a similar spot without Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins. If he can help turn Xavier Townsend and Chase Sowell into stars, along with winning, Becht will shoot up the ranks even further.

More important than what I have to say is what NFL Draft scouts have to say. This is a massive year for Becht because of what potentially waits on the other side. I’m not going to act like I know where Rocco ranks on big boards for the 2026 draft but I’m pretty certain he will be on the radar. He has two years of eligibility remaining but if he takes a major jump into his third year under center, it could be his final season in college.

We will have every position preview in the next two weeks on CycloneFanatic.com.