Injury news is never something that any team wants to see during Spring camp, especially not the Iowa State Cyclones. Now, without one of the team’s biggest names in the defensive backfield, out indefinitely due to some serious implications, things aren’t exactly looking up.
Iowa State Safety Braden Awls Out Indefinitely with Torn ACL
Iowa State football head coach Jimmy Rogers confirmed on Monday that Toledo transfer Braden Awls, one of the Cyclones’ biggest defensive commits, tore his ACL during Spring practice. For both Rogers and the Cyclones, it’s a devastating loss.
Awls entered this season as the 55th-ranked safety in the transfer portal, having played 12 games for the Rockets in 2025. He recorded 52 total tackles last season, 30 solo, five interceptions, and one forced fumble. His best season to date came in 2024, recording 72 total tackles, a fumble recovery, and four interceptions with 81 return yards.
Against Rogers and the Washington State Cougars last season in Week 9, he totaled 10 tackles and two interceptions. Now in his senior season, he was one of 11 contenders for a starting safety role and a clear frontrunner ahead of multiple other transfers.
Cyclones Familiar with Backfield Injuries
Awls’ situation echoes what Matt Campbell dealt with in 2025, when Jeremiah Cooper sustained the same injury in practice ahead of a road game against Cincinnati. Cooper also tore his ACL, going down for the season, and was soon followed by fellow defensive back Jontez Williams after a 39-14 win over Arizona Wildcats football. Like Cooper, Williams also sustained an ACL-related injury. Like them, Awls also doesn’t have a redshirt season.
The difference with Awls? He hasn’t been around the block yet. Cooper exhausted four full seasons in Ames. Williams was gone after year three, entering the portal before things could fully stabilize. And even without them, the hits didn’t stop coming.
Defenders Jamison Patton, Ta’Shawn James, Khijohn Cummings-Coleman, and David Coffey all missed time in the fallout, turning what was already a thin secondary into a weekly shuffle. It became less about who was stepping up and more about who was still standing.
That was the story of the 2025 season in Ames. Cam Smith was also on that list, adding his name to the injury report ahead of the matchup with the Cincinnati Bearcats, proving that once consistency showed a glimpse, it was nearly impossible to hold onto.
Who Else Occupies the Safety Room?
There is no shortage of other options for Iowa State in Awls’ place. Among them are Montana transfer Micah Harper, Jacksonville State transfer Malcolm Jones, Washington State transfer Duhron Goodman, and second-year Cyclone Drew Surges should he move from defensive back to safety.
Of those on the list, Harper’s name stands out. As a fifth-year senior, Harper totaled 44 tackles for the Grizzlies, coming away with two interceptions. Prior to Montana, he showed much of the same dominance for four years at BYU.
With the Gamecocks, Jones logged 34 solo tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles, and a single fumble recovery. On paper, he’s far and away the hardest-hitting safety in the room, and certainly another option should Rogers choose to pursue him as a starter.
Goodman and Surges both have experience, though Surges is already a junior. There’s still room to work, and likely some talent needing to be developed. As for a frontrunner in Awls’ place, look out for Harper, Jones, or Goodman.
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