Football fans in Ames, Iowa, already know Iowa State football placekicker Kyle Konrardy by name. Now entering his third season, the junior is no longer just another name on the roster. He’s a proven difference maker, responsible for some of the biggest moments in Iowa State football history.
Kyle Konrardy’s Impact on Iowa State Special Teams Continues
Konrardy’s rise dates back to his freshman year, the 2024-25 season against the Iowa Hawkeyes. On the road in the annual Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series matchup, Konrardy delivered a game-winning 54-yard field goal inside Kinnick Stadium, giving the Cyclones their third victory over the Hawkeyes since 2014.
And while moments like that tend to define entire careers, that wasn’t it for Konrardy. His biggest accolades were still to come the following season.
Just a year later, he found himself in the same situation against Iowa, this time in front of the home crowd. This time, he had the chance to win the game from the same distance, facing the opposite end zone as the year prior. He once again delivered, just a week after hitting a program record 63-yard field goal against South Dakota.
But Konrardy’s connection to the program runs deeper. Originally a native of Dubuque, Iowa, he’s one of 22 in-state players on Iowa State’s 2026 roster. With the graduation of offensive lineman Jim Bonifas, he’s now the only member of the team from Dubuque. Playing college ball at the Division I level in your home state, it carries some weight.
Iowa State’s Special Teams Struggles in 2026
If Konrardy’s early career was defined by the big moments, what happened midseason was another uphill battle. Stability was hard to find on special teams, especially at kicker.
It was Konrardy who opened the year as the starter, handling the first four games as a starter. That included the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin against Kansas State, the first of four games headline nonconference play in 2026. During that stretch, he connected on seven field goals, including the 63-yard record setter in the home opener against the Coyotes.
From late September into mid-October, the role shifted. Also, as a result of the injury, the Cyclones were without Jace Gilbert, the listed second-string kicker. That left Chase Smith, a third-string freshman from Eldridge, Iowa. Smith stepped in, knocking down eight extra points in place of Konrardy, before he, too, was sidelined with an injury.
Against Colorado, that put things in the hands of lineman Carson Rhodes. He was put in charge of a single kickoff, a real showcase of just how unsettled the special teams situation became.
Luckily for Iowa State, that didn’t last long. Konrardy soon returned, and his impact was noticeable almost immediately. He scored a total of nine points between field goals and extra points against BYU, and posted similar stat lines in the coming weeks against Arizona State, Kansas, and Oklahoma State.
His longest kick during that stretch was a 55-yard field goal against the Jayhawks. The only miss came against the Sun Devils in the already unfavorable, rainy conditions over the Midwest that afternoon.
Where Konrardy’s Return Makes an Impact
Iowa State enters the upcoming season with one of the biggest roster turnovers of any program in the Big 12 Conference. In total, the Cyclones lost 55 players to the transfer portal, along with former head coach Matt Campbell to Penn State. Campbell took a handful of big names with him, including last season’s starting quarterback Rocco Becht.
Luckily for football fans in Ames, Konrardy was not among them. He was one of 44 players who stayed to play under first-year head coach Jimmy Rogers. It may not stand out at first, but in the middle of so much roster turnover, having a familiar and steady presence carries real value in terms of reliability and leadership.
That’s a reputation that Konrardy has built over time, especially in rivalry games. His presence gives both the Cyclone roster and the Iowa State fanbase a valuable weapon in close games, especially with games on the line.
Should he remain healthy, there’s still more of his story to write, and likely more high-stakes opportunities ahead in 2026. At this point, it’s exactly what Iowa State has come to expect when the game is on the line.
Main Image: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
