The Iowa State football roster was left in shambles following the 2025 college football season. Even worse, the Cyclones unexpectedly lost long-time head coach Matt Campbell to Penn State.
Unfortunately for those remaining in Ames, there was the mass exodus of 55 players entering the transfer portal, including junior starting quarterback Rocco Becht. Luckily for the Cyclones, they’ve found answers at the position in former Arkansas State quarterback Jaylen Raynor.
Everything Making Jaylen Raynor the Perfect Replacement Under Center for Iowa State
Raynor enters this season as a first-time Power Four quarterback, coming off a standout freshman campaign in the Sun Belt. Last year, he threw for over 3,300 yards, ranking 20th in the nation in total offense. Two years prior, he was named Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year.
Iowa State first saw Raynor on the road against Arkansas State in Week 3 of the 2025 season. On the surface, it was a low-scoring, defensive affair. In reality, it was actually Raynor on the opposing sideline who quietly stood out.
He threw for 222 yards on 19 of 33 attempts, doubling as the Red Wolves’ leading rusher, carrying 16 times for 83 yards and a touchdown. That performance made him the only opposing quarterback in nonconference play to top 300 total yards against the Cyclones’ defense.
The game clearly left an impression on Ames. While the Cyclones could have shifted focus away from the bowl game, they moved quickly to hire personnel. That included former Red Wolves offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Keith Heckendorf.
And Iowa State didn’t just bring Heckendorf, they also added Raynor, who thrived in a system with a proven track record of success in the Sun Belt. Needless to say, it was good enough to break down the Cyclone defense.
Raynor Might be the Signal-Caller, but Who Else Returns for Iowa State
In the era of the transfer portal, it’s not uncommon for players to leave after their head coach departs. Oftentimes, it completely changes the reasons they originally committed. This go-around, other notable departures included running backs Carsen Hansen and Abu Samma III, even wide receivers Xavier Townsend and Chase Sowell.
They weren’t the only ones, either. On defense, Jeremiah Cooper, Kooper Ebel, and Jamison Patton are just a few names opting to join Campbell in Happy Valley. The current roster lists redshirt sophomore Dominic Overby as the only familiar face in the wide receiver room from last season.
It’s the same story with the running backs. Aiden Flora and Easton Miller, neither of whom started the entirety of last season, are the only returners. Flora saw limited action in 2025, but was a major contributor on special teams, especially in the return game.
On defense, the attention is on Zamir Hawk. Appearing in just five games last season, he only totaled eight tackles. Limited action meant fewer opportunities for sacks, with Hawk failing to record a single one in 2025. He’s just a sophomore, but he’s already showing starter potential and looks like a future impact player.
Bonus: Cyclones Getting First Look at Jimmy Rogers
Campbell’s departure wasn’t ideal by any sense of the imagination, and given the timing. It might have made things worse. Luckily for Iowa State, it didn’t take long to narrow in on first-year head coach Jimmy Rogers.
After one season at Washington State, the former head coach enters his second year at the helm of a Power Five program. His coaching resume also includes stints at South Dakota State as linebackers coach, co-defensive coordinator, and head coach in 2023 and 2024.
He led the Cougars to a 6-6 record in 2025, ending the season with a win in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl over Utah State. Funny enough, his staff has experience coaching mobile quarterbacks like Raynor.
Cougars’ starting quarterback Zevi Eckhause ended last season with 114 carries for 371 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. Even though Rogers has primarily coached defense, that’s a level of familiarity that could pay dividends.
As for how things are going to trend for the Cyclones in 2026, only time will tell. Spring camp still has a lot to showcase, and the season won’t officially start until August.
Main Image: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
