The Iowa State football roster experienced one of the nation’s largest turnovers following the 2025 season. As spring practice continues, attention shifts to how the Cyclones will reshape the roster.
Without Rocco Becht, Who Can the Cyclones Rely on at QB?
The Cyclone offense was full of talent last season, including redshirt junior quarterback Rocco Becht. Unfortunately for Iowa State, Becht was one of 24 players to make the transition to Happy Valley alongside former head coach Matt Campbell.
Like Becht, former Cyclones quarterback Alex Manske is also in Happy Valley. Major Cantrell, another one of last season’s roster members, is also no longer in Ames. Now, the opportunity presents itself for the ‘next man up’ to make a name for themselves. Right now, there are a couple of different options.
First, Arkansas State quarterback Jaylen Raynor. Last season, Raynor and the Red Wolves came within eight points of upsetting the Cyclones in Jonesboro. Now, both he and quarterbacks coach Keith Heckendorf are in Ames.
That connection, however, doesn’t guarantee Raynor the starting spot. It’s also important to note that the Cyclones haven’t made that decision yet. Right now, the room is made up of Raynor, Zane Flores, and two returners from last season in Wyatt Bohm and Connor Moberly.
Each is capable of earning the spot, but there’s still a long way to go before that decision is made. The competition remains open heading into the rest of spring.
What Receiving Options Will Be There for the Eventual Starter?
The receiving core has played a major role for Iowa State in recent years. In 2024, all eyes were on Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, two future draft picks currently with the Houston Texans. And last season, both Brett Eskildsen and Chase Sowell surpassed 500 yards receiving. It wasn’t just the receivers that got involved, either.
Tight ends also saw a fair amount of action, primarily split between Benjamin Brahmer and Gabe Burkle. Against Arizona, Brahmer even completed a near-touchdown pass for 45 yards, connecting with Eskildsen.
Depth in the receiving game played a key role in the Cyclones’ success, and while the group has turned over, there are still a handful of notable options. At receiver, transfers Evan Boyd, Omari Hayes, and Cody Jackson headline the room, while Tyler Fortenberry and Cash Hayden stand out among the tight ends.
Is Kyle Konrardy the Difference Maker Against Iowa?
Placekicker Kyle Konrardy played a key role in the Cyclones’ win over in-state rival Iowa in 2025. Not only did he hit the game-winning kick, but he did it from the same distance he nailed in Kinnick Stadium in 2024.
Both kicks were from 54 yards, just on opposite ends of the field. The first time, the Cyclones won 20-19 on the road; had he missed, Iowa State would have come up short. In 2025, the stakes were just as high.
Facing the south end zone of Jack Trice Stadium with a crowd full of hopeful fans, Konrardy delivered once again. Long story short, he made it. Likewise, Konrardy has shown reliability in high-pressure situations. Add in his range, and fans have plenty to look forward to next season. Last year, Konrardy made 77.8% of his field goals, connecting on 14 of 18 attempts. He missed just once from beyond 50 yards, and was perfect from inside 40.
Like many others, he also missed time due to injury. His first appearance in conference play was against BYU, a game in which he was perfect on extra point attempts. His absence was felt, too, with Chase Smith stepping in during his recovery period.
At one point, even Smith was injured, bringing up a 6′-7” Carson Rhodes. That was short-lived, however, as both Smith and Konrardy made their respective ways back.
The Defensive Line’s Potential to Add Pressure
The Cyclone defense ranked in the middle of the pack across most categories last season. They finished sixth in forced fumbles, seventh in fumbles recovered, eighth in both interceptions and sacks allowed, and 14th in sacks recorded.
Iowa State was one of just three teams, along with Colorado and Baylor, to register fewer than 20 sacks on the season. Texas Tech, for example, led the conference in team sacks, nearly quadrupling Iowa State’s total.
In total, the Cyclone defense only forced opposing offenses backward 82 yards all year. Sacks were rare, but when they did happen, they didn’t go unnoticed.
Pressure was present at times, particularly from players like Caleb Bacon and Will McLaughlin, who each recorded multiple sacks. Still, the Cyclones struggled to consistently disrupt opposing offenses.
One returning player this season is Zaimir Hawk. At 6’-3” and 305 pounds, he poses a notable challenge for opposing offensive linemen. Hawk returns as an experienced upperclassman at the position among a handful of transfers and incoming freshmen. His experience should help guide the development of the rest of the room.
How Limited Was Last Season’s Defense With Injuries?
Injuries are part of just about every season. It doesn’t matter whether you play in the Big 12, SEC, or even at the FCS level. There’s no telling when ACL’s might tear, hits lead to concussions, etc.
In leagues like the Big 12, however, practices are always hard. Time in the weight room and on the practice field is demanding, and if you’re not careful, injuries can be sustained. Early on, that came in the form of star defensive back Jeremiah Cooper last season.
It’s unclear whether or not Cooper’s injury was in practice or the result of in-game action, but he wasn’t the only one in the secondary to miss time. Jontez Williams, another key contributor on defense, did not appear after Week 5 due to a similar, season-ending injury.
There’s no telling how much better the secondary could have looked had those guys not gone down. Injuries like those are an unfortunate part of football, no matter the level. One wrong landing, helmet-to-helmet collision, or awkward fall can end a player’s season, or worse, their career.
That’s why teams focus on mitigating risk: emphasizing smart play in practice, proper technique in contact drills, and awareness on the field. While there’s no way to prevent every injury, keeping players safe whenever possible is a top priority. But again, at times it’s unavoidable.
Even with the challenges that come with roster turnovers, the pieces should still fall into place. Fans have plenty to watch for as Spring practices continue.
Main Image: Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
