Returners
Kyle Konrardy (R-So.)
In his first season as Iowa State’s starting place kicker, he earned Honorable Mention All-Big 12 honors after going 21-28 on field goals and 46-48 on extra points, breaking the school record for kicking points in a season (109) and tying the single-season mark for field goals made. Highlighted by a 54-yard game-winner at Iowa — which earned him Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week and the Pop-Tarts Crazy Good Play of the Week — he also ranked 22nd nationally in field goals per game.
Tyler Perkins (Sr.)
In 2024, he punted 37 times with a 44-yard average — the third highest in Iowa State history — including 13 punts of 50+ yards and eight pinned inside the 20. Now owning a career average of 43.6 yards per punt, the best in program history, he continues to build on a standout resume that includes Honorable Mention All-Big 12 honors in 2023, a Ray Guy Punter of the Week award, and Freshman All-American recognition in 2022 after averaging 42.2 yards on 50 punts as a true freshman.
Jace T. Gilbert (R-Jr.)
In 2024, he handled kickoff duties and shared punting responsibilities, kicking off 79 times with 44 touchbacks and averaging 61.7 yards per kickoff, while also punting 16 times for a 39.9-yard average, including nine punts inside the 20 and a long of 50 yards against UCF. He redshirted in 2023 after appearing in two games and was Iowa State’s primary kicker as a freshman in 2022, making 12 field goals (fourth-most ever by a Cyclone freshman) and hitting 21 of 22 extra points.
Drew Clausen (R-Sr.)
He played in all 14 games last season’s where he was both the long and short snapper in the last 12 games of 2024. Prior to last season, Clausen played at Northern Iowa.
Jacob Lyftogt (R-So.)A three-year squad member for the Cyclones.
Additions
Gavin Schieler (Fr.)
He played high school football at Normal High School and was rated as a 4.5-star long snapper by Kohl’s Professional Football Camps.
Chase Smith (Fr.)
He played at North Scott High School where he was a Class 4A District Punter of the Year. He chose to be a walk-on at Iowa State over a scholarship from Murray State.
Jonah DuPont (So.)
A transfer from Iowa Western CC where he was a Second Team All-American punter.
Departures
Drake Knobloch
Transferred to Baylor University
Keegan Shackford
Transferred to William & Mary University
Drew Doyle
Transferred to Virginia Tech University
How good can Kyle Konrardy be after a stellar 2024 season?
Kyle Konrardy isn’t just Iowa State’s kicker heading into 2025—he’s the heartbeat of a special team’s unit that could swing games in the Cyclones’ favor. After a breakout redshirt freshman season in 2024, Konrardy shattered expectations. He went 21-28 on field goals, 46-48 on extra points, and broke the school record for kicking points in a season with 109. His 54-yard game-winner against Iowa wasn’t just a clutch moment—it was the kind of kick that turned him into a campus legend and forever cemented himself in Cyclone lore.
But what makes Konrardy’s rise so compelling is how complete his game already looks. He was nearly automatic inside 40 yards (15-16), showed range with two 50+ yard field goals, and proved he could handle pressure—like his perfect six-for-six extra point performance in the Pop-Tarts Bowl against Miami, including the deciding extra point with under a minute left. With a full offseason to refine his mechanics and build on his confidence, Konrardy enters 2025 as one of the Big 12’s top returning specialists. If he continues this trajectory, don’t be surprised if his name surfaces in Lou Groza Award conversations by November. For Iowa State, having a kicker this reliable isn’t just a luxury—it’s a weapon. And with how close all of these games are going to be this fall, having a kicker who is reliable can be the difference between a six-win season and a 10-win season
What has been the turning point in the Cyclone special teams?
The turning point for Iowa State’s special teams after the 2022 season wasn’t a flashy move or a single breakout player—it was a quiet but deliberate shift in culture, spearheaded by none other than head coach Matt Campbell. Campbell surprised many by taking more of a hands-on role in revamping the Cyclones’ special team’s unit. After years of inconsistency in coverage and kicking, he made it a personal mission to elevate the group’s performance, working closely with special team’s analyst Rob Grande and quality control coach Rory Walling. He instilled a sense of pride in the unit, treating special team’s reps with the same intensity as offensive and defensive snaps. And that showed as multiple walk-ons earned their stripes on the special team’s units, which ultimately earned some of them playing time on offense and defense.
The results have been undeniable. Senior punter Tyler Perkins has emerged as one of the most reliable legs in the Big 12, flipping field position with his booming punts. Meanwhile, junior kicker Jace T. Gilbert has found his niche as a short yardage punter and kickoff kicker. Even long-snapper Drew Clausen has drawn praise for his consistency on both the field goal and punting units.
Who do the Cyclones go with as returners?
After losing all league returner Jaylin Noel to the NFL, the Cyclones head into the 2025 season with a few intriguing options for their return game, and it’s not just about speed—it’s about trust and ball security. For the first time in four years, Iowa State will have someone new catching punts. Xavier Townsend, a senior wide receiver, looks like the frontrunner for punt return duties. He’s got the twitch, the hands, and the experience, having handled return responsibilities in previous seasons at UCF. If Iowa State wants a steady hand with a splash of electricity, Townsend’s their guy on punt return.
Kickoff returns might see a bit more experimentation early on. Abu Sama III, the junior running back from Des Moines, has the burst and downhill aggression that fits the role perfectly. He’s built like a returner—compact and powerful through the wedge of the return. Don’t be surprised if true freshman Zay Robinson and senior Eli Green, also get reps here. They are elusive in space and have a knack for finding daylight. I also wouldn’t put it past Townsend to get some reps as well. If I had to guess, they might rotate early in the season, but if Townsend and Co. settle in, the Cyclones could have one of the more reliable return duos in the Big 12 this season.
That does it for out 2025 Position Preview series. You can check out every position at the links below.
Quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive line, defensive line, linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties.
