Congratulations to both of these future Cyclones​

Coby Merrill will be a freshman at Iowa State next year and will be our Hwt as a true freshman​

Jimmy Mastny will be a senior in high school next year and will be our future 197 pounder​

Freestyle​

Finals​

57 - Isaiah Cortez, SCRT over Grey Burnett, BTW (Dec 4-1 )

61 - Elijah Cortez, SCRT over Dean Anderson, VWC (TF 10-0 (4:06) )

65 - Bo Bassett, TMWC over Kellen Wolbert, AWA (TF 14-4 (2:14) )

70 - Landon Robideau, CRTM over Seth Mendoza, TSWC (Dec 8-2 )

74 - Jayden James, KTTM over Haakon Peterson, AWA (Dec 9-1 )

79 - Ryan Burton, STMW over Asher Cunningham, NLTM (Dec 9-4 )

86 - Aeoden Sinclair, TSRT over Brock Mantanona, CKWC (Dec 9-0 )

92 - Jimmy Mastny, RTC over Lincoln Jipp, BGWC (Dec 15-14 )

97 - Michael Boyle, OCG over Robert Platt, THWC (Dec 11-2 )

125 - Coby Merrill, NYAC over Dreshaun Ross, CORT (Dec 8-6 )

Hi everyone,

Finally caught up on my editing and I have a gallery for you all from Saturday's spring showcase! I got way more photos than I anticipated which is nice since I'm starting fresh here with the new staff and faces on the team. Fun energy at Jack Trice honestly.


Enjoy!

Jake Brend shares his five biggest takeaways from Iowa State's spring showcase on Saturday. Plus, Brend updates where the 2026 Tailgate Tour will be headed and more on new associate head coach Caroline McCombs. Presented by Fareway Meat & Grocery in the Northwest Bank Studios. Login to view embedded media

We are going to Europe next year and so I’m looking to get a camera and maybe get into photography with that.

I’m really looking to start out pretty budget conscious but still want to get quality stuff. My criteria is for a compact camera with room for growth and a viewfinder.

I’ve done some research and I’m thinking of the Cannon EOS R50. This seems to be the best entry point from what I can tell. It has some better features than the R100 but is still reasonably affordable.

I’ve talked to some family about it and they think it is crazy expensive but from what I can tell it really is on the budget end.

Any other guidance for someone looking to buy a camera? Are there any good suggestions for beginner classes or anything? Any accessories that are necessary.

Like I said my primary goal is for a good camera separate from a phone that I can use on a European trip. We went on a trip last year to New York and had way too many pictures for our phones. Secondary goal is a camera that I could use going forward.

The first spring football season under Jimmy Rogers is wrapped up at Iowa State.

In the final episode of our Spring Football Series, Jake Brend, Rob Gray and Jackson Pence react to Saturday's Spring Showcase. What names popped? Which units looked most impressive? Presented by A+ Lawn & Landscape. https://cyclonefanatic.com/podcasts/spring-football-showcase-recap-april-27-2026/

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Seems like a fun event! Just have to email Robin if you want to go to RSVP to ensure they have enough food

Iowa State officially hires Caroline McCombs as associate head coach.

The former George Washington and Stony Brook head coach spent the 2025-26 season as an assistant at Auburn. She will begin her duties immediately. https://cyclonefanatic.com/2026/04/caroline-mccombs-named-iowa-state-associate-head-coach/

Between Midnight Alley, a Big 12 Championship and Domonique Orange's NFL Draft moment, this weekend provided a lot for Andrew Harrington to write about in this week's Monday Musings. https://cyclonefanatic.com/2026/04/monday-musings-may-contain-nuts/

I just learned how to create QR code in MS Word.

Jackson Pence joins Chris Williams and Brent Blum to break down all of the happenings at Iowa State’s “spring showcase” on Saturday at Jack Trice Stadium. The trio discusses strengths, concerns, and the overall vibes within the program as Jimmy Rogers’ first spring comes to a close in Ames. Plus, reviewing Iowa State’s weekend in the NFL Draft, all courtesy of Mechdyne.

Fresh column for your Sunday night.


Randy Peterson on Jaylen Raynor, the depth chart and what’s ahead for the Cyclones.

The article here talks mainly about keeping Aiden Flora. My question, have we heard anything about, or much about, Jayden Jackson? I thought he was a key player that stayed through the transition and had a pretty high ceiling when recruited. I haven't heard much. I wonder why?

Didn't see this posted but might have missed. Anyway, congrats to our golfer gals!

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Starting this thread with the new guys...

Draft
Domonique Orange - Minnesota

UDFA
Jim Bonifas - Miami
Dylan Barrett - Green Bay
Tyler Miller - Denver
James Neal - Houston (added 4/26)

Minicamp Invite
Tyler Moore - Carolina
Tamatoa McDonough - Denver (added 4/26)
Tyler Perkins - Jacksonville (added 4/28)

The defense won the day, despite some explosive plays by the offense.But it was "Midnight Alley" that stole the show. It was a display of what the Jimmy Rogers era can be about. Jake Brend reports from Jack Trice Stadium. Login to view embedded media

Iowa State officially wrapped up spring ball with the Spring Showcase on Saturday morning.

Watch everything head coach Jimmy Rogers, offensive coordinator Tyler Roehl, defensive coordinator Jesse Bobbit, quarterback Jaylen Raynor and defensive lineman Zaimir Hawk said after the showcase. https://cyclonefanatic.com/2026/04/...it-raynor-and-hawk-following-spring-showcase/

Checked out the new thriller Apex on Netflix starring Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton. Reviews are pretty mid-tier. We all thought it was pretty dang intense and actually really creepy. Is it GREAT? No but it's definitely worth watching if you want a solid adventure thriller. The scenery is incredible. And Theron is badass. Egerton is a ******* great psycho. Worth a watch for sure.

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What a resilient bunch of players this year! I have a feeling there are a few Reds fans out there that were excited to see a 9-8 comeback tonight against the Tigers. Fun game!

Not gonna lie. Kinda cheering for the elephants.

US millionaire big-game hunter dies after being crushed by elephants | California | The Guardian https://share.google/9byb8xCVZItWE047N

We will be tailgating outside Jack Trice Stadium before and after the Spring Showcase. Starting at 9am, ending when-you-leave. Serving biscuits and gravy, donuts, monkeybread, coffee, Ames Lager, other beers, NA's, pop, and some Iowa whiskeys.

All CycloneFanatics are welcome.

[I will reply to this post with an updated location once we set up, but we are going to try to be south of Jack Trice Stadium so that you can have easy access to the Cyclone Surplus Sale.]

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I just found out that they've canceled one of my favorite shows, Life Below Zero. Makes me wonder if it was the hardship on the filming crews to go to such remote places enduring the ice, snow and cold to bring this show to TV. I was just fascinated by this show and I'm not happy that it was canceled. I can only hope they don't decide to cancel another one of my favorite shows, Port Protection.