CycloneFanatic is your one-stop spot to find all of the happenings in the 2026 recruitment cycle.
Below, you’ll find additions, recommitments, and departures that have been publicized for this year’s recruiting cycle.
Additions:
DB| Brady Hummel (3-star) – Iowa State earns another former Washington State commit in three-star DB Brady Hummel. The 6-foot-0, 190-pound Sparks, Nevada native held offers from Nevada, Air Force, Navy, Army, Eastern Washington, and Portland State.
WR | Matthew McClain (3-star) – Iowa State earned another 2026 commitment in three-star WR Matthew McClain. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Frisco, Texas flipped his commitment from Washington State to Iowa State after Jimmy Rogers left the Cougars. He held offers from Oklahoma State, North Texas, Arkansas State, Navy, and many more.
DB Amiri Barnes (3-star) – The 5-foot-11 cornerback from Katy, TX flips his commitment from Washington State to Iowa State. He also held offers from Texas State, North Texas, Army, and Navy.
DB | Torrence “Toe” Sanders (3-star) – Sanders is a physical corner who isn’t afraid to challenge receivers at the line of scrimmage. He plays with confidence in man coverage and brings toughness in run support. He played at a legendary high school in the state of Louisiana, Edna Karr High School. Sanders racked up quite a few offers, including Michigan State, Vanderbilt, Arkansas State, Texas State, and Troy, among many others.
OL | Derek Worden (3-star) – When you talk about run-first, tough, hard-nosed football, Worden fits that bill perfectly. He is a physical offensive lineman who brings a strong frame and plays with good leverage in the run game. Worden held offers from Arizona, Boise State, Colorado, and Utah State, among others.
OL | Kingston Fotualii (3-star) – Kingston Fotualii is another powerful lineman who excels in run blocking and finishing plays. His frame gives him upside at guard or center, and he’s drawn attention for his strength and nastiness up front. He held offers from FCS power Montana and Washington State.
WR | Malcolm Watkins (3-star) – Watkins was the first Washington State player to flip from the Cougars to the Cyclones. He is a smooth route-runner with reliable hands and strong ball skills. He doesn’t waste movement getting in and out of breaks, especially with his elite track speed. Watkins held multiple offers from schools on the West Coast.
TE | Drew Byrd (3-star) – Byrd is a versatile tight end with a strong frame and willingness to block, while still offering pass-catching upside. With family ties to Iowa State, his parents are from Iowa, and his dad is an ISU alum, he’s a name to watch closely for the Cyclones to land.
TE | Luke Galer (3-star) – Galer is a traditional tight end who plays physically at the point of attack and provides a reliable target over the middle. He is the perfect player for play-action offenses. He can do a little bit of everything as a tall tight end.
LB | Landon Kalsbeck (3-star) – The Defensive Player of the Year in the state of Colorado last season is an instinctive linebacker who reads plays quickly and attacks downhill. He’s a high-motor linebacker who excels against the run. He has an extensive offer sheet that includes FCS powers Montana and Montana State, along with Colorado State, Navy, and many more.
LB/S | Bradley Esser (3-star) – Esser is a rangy linebacker with good sideline-to-sideline speed and solid coverage ability. He fits well in modern defensive schemes that ask linebackers to stay on the field in passing situations, which is why he would fit perfectly as a safety or OLB in the Rogers/Bobbit scheme. Esser held offers from two Big 10 schools in Minnesota and Northwestern.
DL | Jake Jones (3-star) – Interior defensive lineman Jake Jones is stout and someone who can anchor well against double teams. He wins with strength and leverage, making him effective at clogging running lanes and collapsing the pocket. He most notably held offers from Boise State, Colorado State, and New Mexico, among others.
DL | Tyler Burnstein (3-star) – This would be a great get for Rogers and staff. Burnstein is an edge rusher with great length at 6-foot-4 and a relentless motor. He excels at setting the edge and has room to grow as a pass rusher as he adds strength and weight in Iowa State’s S&C program. He held offers from Nevada, North Dakota, Montana, but most notably, Big 12 foe Arizona State.
Recommitments:
Decommitments:
S | Tyrell Chatman
LB | Keian Kaiser
OL | Mason Bandhauer
S | Bryson Williams
QB | Kase Evans
OL | Pete Eglitis
P | Lucas Tenbrock
