RECRUITING: Jett Thomalla (4-star QB commit, 2026) talks Alabama offer

[ClubCy]

I think that you answered your own question-nothing against Jett, and id be stoked if he ends up in Ames, but the "best college football program in the history of college football" as you stated, probably doesnt roll out a 4 star from Nebraska as the Week 1 starter, and bench one of the other 2-3 5 star recruits in the QB room

I forgot talented individuals tend to run away from competition and depth charts are created using recruiting rankings.

Look, I hope we can hold onto him, but if we don’t so be it. There is just a lot of “assuming” in this thread regarding money, Alabama depth charts, Rocco’s family wealth, the end of Iowa State athletics, etc.

 

[Land Grant]

So you folks’ definition of “wealthy” is “makes more money than me”. Gotcha.

@Cyclad, you listed his last salary with the Chiefs, not his Battlehawks salary. UFL coaches make low six figures.

I have a friend whose husband was a prominent attorney for over thirty years. She worked a good job, and he made a lot of money.

They declared bankruptcy a year or so before he retired.

Is that “wealthy”?

There is a meaningful difference between people that had wealth but then lost/squandered it, and those who lived their lives at a low income/poverty level. It's economic, social, and psychological.

And yes, based on the NFL career alone I'd call the Bechts wealthy. They had access in a moment to wealth most people will not accrue in a lifetime.

 

[BooneCy]

Speaking of wealthy, the last QB we were in a "recruiting battle" against Bama for just signed a 265 million dollar contract, so the "Bama can pay more" hill some of you are dying on is a moot point, IMO

CMC can remind Jett that he can go to Bama for maybe a few hundred thousand to be a 4th or 5th string, or he can come to ISU, and best case scenario he is signing a hefty contract in 5-7 years

I think Brock might say he is comfortable.

 

[09clone]

This was my favorite quote in the article: “Yes and no,” Thomalla said when asked if there was a difference between the program that now has a newer coach. “He did a great job at Washington, too. He put Michael Penix in the NFL. I kind of just want to go down there and meat him. I’ve talked to him before – he’s a cool guy.”

I took that as Thomalla is going to go down to Tuscaloosa and just meat slap DeBoer and then tell him he’s committed to ISU

 

[ruxCYtable]

I agree changes need made and hopefully will be, but with all that said ISU had its best season ever even with those NIL discrepancies.

Yes, we did. And this year is going to be great as well. My concern is for the long-term future. The full ramifications have not filtered through yet. We're still inside of one class going all the way through since this became a thing and, as Blum said, the market has doubled since last year. It is not sustainable as-is.

 

[clone52]

So you folks’ definition of “wealthy” is “makes more money than me”. Gotcha.

@Cyclad, you listed his last salary with the Chiefs, not his Battlehawks salary. UFL coaches make low six figures.

I have a friend whose husband was a prominent attorney for over thirty years. She worked a good job, and he made a lot of money.

They declared bankruptcy a year or so before he retired.

Is that “wealthy”?

Thats a fair point. I don't have any proof that the Becht's are wealthy. They may have squandered it all and are in massive debt. But there is evidence that they are pretty wealthy and almost no evidence that they are not wealthy.

That may or may not explain why Rocco has turned down a lot more money from other teams, but circumstantially, it makes sense.

 

[Sigmapolis]

Anthony Becht probably took home around ~$6 million playing in the NFL.

Made nearly $12 million but taxes, 401(k) contributions, agent fees, etc.

$12 million / 45 (working from your early 20s to your late 60s) = $266k per year

Some ISU engineering grads will get up there... but not many... especially when you consider that is the average over the course of your career and not just the peak earning years at the end.

 

[GetAwesome]

To live with love in our hearts is all the wealth we need.

 

[VeloClone]

Alabama will pay more for a 5th string QB to never see the field than ISU can pay for a starter. Game over.

The first part of your statement is likely true. However some guys want a chance to play rather than hold a clipboard for 5 years and hope to see the field as a RS senior. The game is certainly not over. He could decide to go to 'Bama or he could decide to come to ISU and actually compete for playing time soon.

 

[VeloClone]

View attachment 149893

Anthony Becht probably took home around ~$6 million playing in the NFL.

Made nearly $12 million but taxes, 401(k) contributions, agent fees, etc.

$12 million / 45 (working from your early 20s to your late 60s) = $266k per year

Some ISU engineering grads will get up there... but not many... especially when you consider that is the average over the course of your career and not just the peak earning years at the end.

I don't imagine Anthony has been coaching the Battlehawks for free either. That means he can live off of his current salary and allow his investments to continue growing.

 

[VeloClone]

Couple of questions:

Why do people automatically assume Jett would be 4th or 5th string?

Does everyone understand that when it comes to blue bloods Bama is actually considered not great when it comes to NIL. Better than us probably but they aren’t major players like Ohio State, LSU, Texas, etc.

Lastly, not a question, but let’s say he ends up at Alabama. Would it be that be crazy for a kid to choose one of, if not the best program in the history of college football over Iowa State? Like, come on.

No it wouldn't be crazy. But nobody was saying it couldn't happen people were responding to a post that said unequivocably "game over" just because 'Bama offered. He might go but he also might make the decision to stay with ISU for reasons that have already been given.

 

[VeloClone]

I forgot talented individuals tend to run away from competition and depth charts are created using recruiting rankings.

Look, I hope we can hold onto him, but if we don’t so be it. There is just a lot of “assuming” in this thread regarding money, Alabama depth charts, Rocco’s family wealth, the end of Iowa State athletics, etc.

There was also a post that assumed "game over" for ISU as soon as 'Bama offered. You are conveniently ignoring the post that got a lot of people engaged in this discussion. "Game over" is probably the biggest assumption in the thread.

 

[Pope]

I remember another Cyclone QB recruit who got a late offer from Alabama but chose to keep his commitment to Iowa State. Last I heard, he's making around $53 million/yr in the NFL.

 

[Sigmapolis]

I don't imagine Anthony has been coaching the Battlehawks for free either. That means he can live off of his current salary and allow his investments to continue growing.

Becht is obviously drawing a salary from the UFL.

I wouldn't imagine it is too much, though -- at least compared to NFL head coaches.

I would imagine even a Big 12 job (he was rumored for WVU) would be a big pay raise.

Given how St. Louis is doing, though, he may be on his way to a big pay raise.

 

[ClubCy]

There was also a post that assumed "game over" for ISU as soon as 'Bama offered. You are conveniently ignoring the post that got a lot of people engaged in this discussion. "Game over" is probably the biggest assumption in the thread.

Yeah I didn’t want to single out a specific user after I saw how every post of theirs was doomsday/the sky is falling/everything is terrible/why watch…..in multiple threads.

 

[ruxCYtable]

There was also a post that assumed "game over" for ISU as soon as 'Bama offered. You are conveniently ignoring the post that got a lot of people engaged in this discussion. "Game over" is probably the biggest assumption in the thread.

I didn't mean that comment specifically to one kid. I meant it in broader terms. As in, if this present system continues unfettered, it's game over for ISU, and similar programs, as it relates to being able to compete at the highest level in the long-term.

 

[VeloClone]

I didn't mean that comment specifically to one kid. I meant it in broader terms. As in, if this present system continues unfettered, it's game over for ISU, and similar programs, as it relates to being able to compete at the highest level in the long-term.

Thanks for the clarification. It doesn't read that way.

 

[ruxCYtable]

Yeah I didn’t want to single out a specific user after I saw how every post of theirs was doomsday/the sky is falling/everything is terrible/why watch…..in multiple threads.

I know you're referring to me, and that's fine. We are, indeed, having success right now, and that should be enjoyed. The ramifications of this world will take years to filter through the system, however, as will any proposed fixes. The current success has blinded some people to the big picture.

Without changes, the sky IS falling, but slowly. I believe that ISU will not be able to compete at the highest level long-term without major action, possibly by the federal government or president himself. People at the highest levels of ISU athletics are laying awake at night, I promise you.

PS: I won't comment about this anymore because I know it is not appreciated. I've been trying to sound the alarm for a while now and I am not going to change anyone's opinion. I will stand back and watch what happens...nervously.

 

[Aclone]

Couple of questions:

Why do people automatically assume Jett would be 4th or 5th string?

Does everyone understand that when it comes to blue bloods Bama is actually considered not great when it comes to NIL. Better than us probably but they aren’t major players like Ohio State, LSU, Texas, etc.

Lastly, not a question, but let’s say he ends up at Alabama. Would it be that be crazy for a kid to choose one of, if not the best program in the history of college football over Iowa State? Like, come on.

It was simple hyperbole, and lack of awareness.

From what I can see, ALL of Alabama’s QB’s from recent classes bolted, after the ‘25 guy—second ranked player in the b nation, not just QB—enrolled.

And none of the other top ‘26 WB’s want anything to do with that—includes g the ones from Alabama.

So basically, they’re looking for a backup for a year, until some ‘27 guy is willing to sit for a year.

Exact same thing they wanted to do with Rocco. Placeholder, until they can bring in another guy next year.

We lost a guy to Texas a few years back, exact same reason. He ended up portallingbout.

 

[StPaulCyclone]

I mean besides all that

Isn‘t Mrs. Becht extremely successful in (commercial?) real estate? I thought I’d read that she was the real breadwinner, but can’t confirm.