***2026 Iowa State Football Season Thread***
ESPN article on how teams "revamped" their squad this off-season. They rank us dead last in that regard in the Big 12.
Key departures: QB Rocco Becht, DT Domonique Orange, RB Carson Hansen
Top incoming recruits: WR Jeffrey Roberts, WR Malcolm Watkins, OT Benji Makelela
Biggest coaching move: Matt Campbell's historic ISU tenure ended on Dec. 5, and hours later the Cyclones had a new coach in Washington State's Jimmy Rogers. The former South Dakota State player and coach brought over several of his assistants, including defensive coordinator Jesse Bobbit. He hired Tyler Roehl, who coached ISU's running backs in 2024 and spent last season coaching tight ends for the Detroit Lions, as offensive coordinator. Roehl and Rogers opposed each other in the Dakotas rivalry as Roehl was OC for North Dakota State and Rogers the DC for South Dakota State.
What went wrong: Campbell took his coaches and 24 players with him to Happy Valley, including 14 starters. A total of 50 scholarship players moved on via the portal during the coaching transition, leaving Rogers and his coaches with a massive rebuilding project. Rogers and his staff had already experienced a similar roster flip last year in Pullman and did a nice job of adding to the roster in a short period, but ISU will still be undergoing a serious reset after a decade of consistency under Campbell.
What went right: Roehl was a key contributor to the Cyclones' offensive success during its run to the Big 12 title game in 2024, so bringing him back to Ames was a smart move. Raynor, a three-year starter at Arkansas State who put up more than 9,800 total yards, gives this offense a proven QB1 who will be able to replace Becht. He's coming in to lead a team that features more than 80 newcomers. The Cyclones' rebuilt receiving corps has good talent and could prove to be a strength. Bobbit was able to bring in several starters from his Washington State defense between Terrell, Lamb, Sullivan Schlimgen and Max Baloun and held onto five Cyclones with starting experience.
www.espn.com
16. Iowa State Cyclones
Key additions: QB Jaylen Raynor, DE Isaac Terrell, DT Bryson LambKey departures: QB Rocco Becht, DT Domonique Orange, RB Carson Hansen
Top incoming recruits: WR Jeffrey Roberts, WR Malcolm Watkins, OT Benji Makelela
Biggest coaching move: Matt Campbell's historic ISU tenure ended on Dec. 5, and hours later the Cyclones had a new coach in Washington State's Jimmy Rogers. The former South Dakota State player and coach brought over several of his assistants, including defensive coordinator Jesse Bobbit. He hired Tyler Roehl, who coached ISU's running backs in 2024 and spent last season coaching tight ends for the Detroit Lions, as offensive coordinator. Roehl and Rogers opposed each other in the Dakotas rivalry as Roehl was OC for North Dakota State and Rogers the DC for South Dakota State.
What went wrong: Campbell took his coaches and 24 players with him to Happy Valley, including 14 starters. A total of 50 scholarship players moved on via the portal during the coaching transition, leaving Rogers and his coaches with a massive rebuilding project. Rogers and his staff had already experienced a similar roster flip last year in Pullman and did a nice job of adding to the roster in a short period, but ISU will still be undergoing a serious reset after a decade of consistency under Campbell.
What went right: Roehl was a key contributor to the Cyclones' offensive success during its run to the Big 12 title game in 2024, so bringing him back to Ames was a smart move. Raynor, a three-year starter at Arkansas State who put up more than 9,800 total yards, gives this offense a proven QB1 who will be able to replace Becht. He's coming in to lead a team that features more than 80 newcomers. The Cyclones' rebuilt receiving corps has good talent and could prove to be a strength. Bobbit was able to bring in several starters from his Washington State defense between Terrell, Lamb, Sullivan Schlimgen and Max Baloun and held onto five Cyclones with starting experience.
Ranking the offseason for every Power 4 college football team
Nail the transfer portal? Miss a big recruit? Find a top coordinator? All are part of our offseason evaluations.
