Iowa State football gears up for its annual spring game this Saturday. The game will offer a first look at its new roster and coaching staff, providing an early glimpse into the 2026 season. It’ll also mark the unofficial return of football Saturdays to Jack Trice Stadium.
Ahead of kickoff, here are the top storylines, burning questions, and what to expect Saturday.
A Third Look at Jaylen Raynor as Iowa State’s Newest QB
Arkansas State transfer quarterback Jaylen Raynor should already be a familiar name. He’s Iowa State’s projected starter in 2026 and has faced the program before while at Arkansas State. His growth since then has been hard to ignore.
That first meeting between Raynor and the Cyclones came in Week 2 of the 2024 season in Ames, where Iowa State cruised to a 52-7 win. At the time, Raynor looked like just another young quarterback early on in nonconference play, overmatched and out of rhythm against a Power Four defense. A year later, everything changed, and the results of his development now follow him back to Ames. This time, it’s in the Iowa State uniform.
In Jonesboro last season, Raynor delivered a far more composed and dynamic performance. He completed 19 of 33 passes for 222 yards while consistently testing the Cyclones’ secondary. He added 83 rushing yards on 16 carries and found the end zone just before halftime.
The 2023 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year has shown he can adjust and produce against Iowa State. Stepping into a Power Four offense, Raynor arrives as a familiar face. But he is also an experienced playmaker with the tools to elevate the position immediately.
Another quarterback, Oklahoma State transfer Zane Flores, could also see reps, giving Iowa State an early look at depth behind the starter.
The Highly-Touted Return of Aiden Flora
Aiden Flora didn’t see much of the field during his freshman season, but when he did, he made it count on special teams.
Like several others following Matt Campbell’s departure for Penn State, Flora stayed in Ames to further develop. In-game, he logged just four rushing attempts for 58 yards. His impact came in the return game, where he emerged as one of Iowa State’s most dangerous weapons.
Flora earned Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week honors after a standout performance against TCU in Week 12. In total, Flora recorded eight punt returns for 209 yards, including a touchdown against the Horned Frogs. On kickoffs, he added another 34-yard return.
Now a sophomore in his third season, he enters a backfield left behind by transfers Carsen Hansen and Abu Samma III, both among the most productive running backs in recent program history. The position itself has featured talent in the past, including current Houston Texans running back David Montgomery, who brought power to the role but arguably didn’t quite match Flora’s versatility. In the spring showcase, Flora has a chance to offer something different.
What to Expect from Jimmy Rogers’ Transition to Ames
Whenever a new head coach arrives in the Power Four, there are naturally a lot of initial unanswered questions. Is he the right fit? What’s his background? Can he recruit at a high level? Early signs point to yes across the board.
Rogers brings a culture built on physicality, echoing much of what Matt Campbell established during his tenure. That toughness appears to be the foundation of his approach. According to earlier reporting from the Des Moines Register, the goal is for 85–90% of the roster to be set by the end of spring practice.
At Washington State last season, Rogers finished 6-6. The Cougars picked up home wins over Idaho, San Diego State, Toledo, Louisiana Tech, and Oregon State, but struggled away from Pullman with losses to James Madison, Virginia, Ole Miss, Washington, North Texas, and Oregon State in the rematch.
Notably, the games against Ole Miss and Virginia came against AP Top 25 opponents and were both decided by a single score. That stretch highlighted Rogers’ ability to develop a team capable of competing with elite programs, a standard he’ll now be expected to meet more consistently in the Big 12 at Iowa State.
Main Image: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
