At the request of our guy @ChrisMWilliams getting a new thread started. What a raw after mania that was. About time some people from NXT got called up.

No one in Ames knows Jaylen Raynor better than quarterbacks coach Keith Heckendorf, who was his offensive coordinator at Arkansas State. Heckendorf shares how Raynor became the quarterback he is today. Plus, how did Raynor learn every teammates name in less than two weeks? Jake Brend gives his take on Audi Crooks to Oklahoma State. Presented by Fareway Meat & Grocery in the Northwest Bank Studios. Login to view embedded media

Your ISU softball team has their home CyHawk game tomorrow. They are a fun crew to watch! If you havent been to a game you shoukd come check it out!

Looks like Dylan and Austin Barrett have a younger brother named Liam that we have offered. He's already 6'7"

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Centerville, IA QB Mack Murdock has an offer.
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Dowling Catholic OT Carter Barrett is probably the top priority in the class. Has some big time offers though.
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Iowa State is in the final week of spring football and kicked it off with some Monday availability.

Watch everything Keith Heckendorf, Seth Hestness, Jaylen Raynor and Keaton Roskop had to say below.
https://cyclonefanatic.com/2026/04/...or-and-keaton-roskop-at-mondays-availability/

Looking for recommendations on garage shelving units. Specifically looking at something that's metal and has doors so "hide" all the junk.

Leaning towards Gladiator Gear Boxes, but wondering if anyone has other recommendations.

Spring Football Series: Jake Brend, Rob Gray and Jackson Pence break down the defensive side of the ball. What's next after the loss of Braden Awls? Why have the corners been so impressive? Who stands out up front? All of that and more, presented by A+ Lawn and Landscape. https://cyclonefanatic.com/podcasts/spring-football-series-defensive-breakdown/

Four massive announcements regarding wrestling signal a bright and exciting future for Cyclone wrestling.

Just how bright could that future be? Andrew Harrington has more in this week's Monday Musings.
https://cyclonefanatic.com/2026/04/...ng-changes-signal-healthy-future-for-program/

Oklahoma State transfer Brayden Thompson is headed to Ames.

• 184 pounds
• 2024 NCAA qualifier as a true freshman
• Redshirted in 2024-25, went 9-0 in open tournaments
• Three years of eligibility remaining
• Former No. 3 pound-for-pound recruit in the 2023 class

More on the Illinois native in update below:

Jake Brend and Brent Blum dive into the first mailbag episode of the offseason, hitting on topics in all four major sports. Who leads Iowa State in rushing in 2026? What will the rotation look like in men’s basketball? What’s next for Bill Fennelly in the portal? What makes a Cyclone a true Cyclone? Presented by Mechdyne in the Northwest Bank Studios.

Anyone heard if going to be Tailgate Tour this year? Any dates being mentioned? Know has usually been in mid to late May time period. Especially important with new coaches in FB, MW, and WW.

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Man that's sad. I used to listen everyday untill about the time Bob retired.

Consolidating general information into one place.

First and most notably, women's college wrestling is freestyle, as opposed to men's college, boys HS and girls HS.

Weight classes: 10
103, 110, 117, 124, 131, 138, 145, 160, 180, 207

Scholarships available: 10

Roster limit: 30

At present, there are no divisions in NCAA Women's Wrestling. A total of 112 teams -- not counting future additions -- are listed on the NCAA sport sponsorship site for 2025-26 (up from 76 in 2023-24). If we were to count them by their "typical" division, however, the breakdown would be:
Division I - 6
Division II - 39
Division III - 67

Number of NCAA programs in Iowa and nearby states (2025-26):
Iowa - 10
Illinois - 8
Wisconsin - 4
Missouri - 3
North Dakota - 2
Kansas - 1
Minnesota - 1
Nebraska - 1
South Dakota - 1

How the Postseason Works (for 2025-26 and 2026-27):
*Teams are split into 6 geographic regions of 17-20 teams each
*Each region gets 30 qualifiers (top 3 at each weight)
*Regional competition is held two weeks before nationals
*A total of 180 qualifiers (18 at each weight) at nationals

Recent Timeline:
2020 - Women's wrestling becomes an NCAA "emerging sport"
2022-23 - Minimum sponsorship count met
January 2025 - NCAA announces that women's wrestling will have an official championship, starting in 2025-26
December 2025 - Kent State (D-I #7) announces addition of program, starting 2027-28
January 2026 - NCAA approves establishment of a D-3 championship, starting in 2027-28
January 2026 - Mercyhurst (D-I #8) announces addition of program, starting 2026-27
March 2026 - The inaugural NCAA women's championship is held in Coralville
April 2026 - Iowa State (D-I #9) announces addition of program, starting 2027-28

We get focused on our own adds and subtractions from the portal, but it is interesting to see what conference foes are experiencing. Massive turnover at some stops. Kansas for instance:

Lost both Bedunga and Tiller from their front line. Paul Mbyia, a 7" Center also left, as have Elmarko Jackson, Jamari McDowell, Samis Calderon, Jayden Dawson and Corbin Allen. They have picked up Keanu Dawes from Houston. I believe out of eligibility inclues Tre White and Melvin Council. Darryn Peterson to the NBA draft. Of course you have to look at their HS class to finish the roster as they got 5* PF Taylen Kinney, 4* big Davion Adkins, 4* wing Trent Perry and another top recruit already for 2027.

Someone want to tackle an update for others in the conference?

Curious on who St. John will target to field our first roster? I assume she will recruit the rosters at the Grand Views, Simpson, Dubuque, North Central (IL) program's for ready talent through the transfer portal who would want to wrestle for a big D1 brand like Iowa State. I know many girls on those rosters from the state of Iowa whose dream would be to wrestle for the Cyclones (so long as they're talented enough). Also curious on who she will add to her coaching staff?

With yesterday's rumors of the LIV Golf League perhaps in financial trouble:

What are your thoughts and have you watched any of their events?

Would you welcome the LIV players back to the PGA tour, or make them requalify / pay a penalty?

I know they have a lot going on with all the announcements. I would like to see the Roster updated on the Cyclones site. I count 14 wrestlers that have either left or graduated. It would be nice to know who we have to work with. I think T.J. Koester Gray shirted? So hopefully he is still with us plus the in coming freshman. Hopefully we add some transfers.

Now that the roster is finalized for the most part, who do you think will be the starters?

G: Toure
G: Johnson
G: Batemon
F: Singleton
F: Buchanan

Rotational Players:
G: Bond
G: Prather
F: Manning
F: Pleta

Bench (limited Minutes):
Mitchell
Rinaldo-Komlan
Wiggins
Kiss

Possible Redshirt (due to injury):
Gray

I think Bond is a starting candidate, but not sure who that pushes to the bench.

If anyone sees or hears of any women’s wrestling gear dropping, let us know!! Would love to get a bunch!!

What are some weird movies that just flopped or are generally not loved by the public that you enjoy?

I read this book when it came out and when I found out Ridley Scott was directing and the cast I was all in. This looks great. And the book is fantastic.

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