2026 Season Preview
Projected Depth Chart
Head Coach: Jimmy Rogers
Offensive Coordinator: Tyler Roehl
Defensive Coordinator: Jesse Bobbit
2025 Record: 8-4
2025 Big 12 Finish: 5-4 (T - 7th)
2026 Record Projection:
Ceiling: 6 Wins
Floor: 1 win
Top NFL Prospects: S Micah Harper, DE Isaac Terrell
Biggest Impact Transfers: QB Jaylen Raynor, OT Jake Taylor
Most Likely Impact Freshmen: WR Jeffrey Roberts, RB Demarco Francois
Biggest Strength: Kicking game and experienced transfer additions
Biggest Concern: Overall Power 4 roster depth and line play
Biggest Game: Iowa
Trap Game: West Virginia
QB: Quarterback should still be one of the stronger spots on Iowa State’s roster heading into 2026. Arkansas State transfer Jaylen Raynor brings real experience after throwing for 3,364 yards and 19 touchdowns last season while adding 428 rushing yards and 7 more scores on the ground. His mobility gives the offense another dimension and he fits well in today’s Big 12. Oklahoma State transfer Zane Flores adds depth and experience, though consistency has been an issue so far in his career. it would not be surprising if Connor Moberly pushes his way further up the depth chart as the season moves along.
RB: There is some explosiveness here. Cameron Pettaway is undersized at around 175 pounds, yet he has already shown the ability to create chunk plays with 5.1 yards per carry last season. He also brings value in the passing game and gives Iowa State a back who can turn short throws into bigger gains in space. Salahadin Allah adds more size and physicality behind him after transferring in from Oregon State.
WR/TE: Cody Jackson is an exciting addition after a huge year at Tarleton State, but jumping from the FCS level into the Big 12 is a major step up in competition. Omari Hayes brings experience and quickness from Tulane while Dominic Overby gives the room a bigger target with intriguing upside. Freshman Jeffrey Roberts is another name worth watching as the season develops. At tight end, Jaylen Raynor already has familiarity with Tyler Fortenberry from their time together at Arkansas State, which should help the passing game early in the season.
OL: The big question in Ames is whether this transfer-heavy group can gel before the Big 12 schedule kicks in. Getting Jake Taylor from OU is a massive win. He’s the literal and figurative anchor they needed at tackle. But counting on guys like King and Smith to make the jump from smaller programs to blocking Big 12 defensive fronts is a gamble. If Taylor is as good as advertised, they’ll be fine, but if the chemistry isn’t there by Week 3, it’s going to be a long season for the Cyclones’ backfield.
DL: Iowa State attacked the portal hard up front and the biggest additions came straight from Washington State. Isaac Terrell should immediately become one of the leaders of the defense after putting up 12 tackles for loss and 7 sacks last season. He gives Iowa State a proven pass rusher which this defense badly needed. The familiarity with the scheme should help the entire group transition quickly because several of these players already know exactly what the staff wants from them. This should be one of the strengths of the team and there is enough depth here for Iowa State to rotate bodies without a huge drop off.
LB: Linebacker is the weak spot of this defense. There are players here who have seen the field, but very little proven production at the Big 12 level. Montreze Smith piled up numbers at Prairie View A&M, but doing that in the SWAC is a completely different world than trying to stop Big 12 offenses every week. Iowa State needs somebody in this room to emerge fast because right now the defensive line is carrying a lot of the pressure for this front seven. Don’t be surprised if one of the freshmen starts getting real snaps early as the staff figures out who can actually play at this level.
DB: Micah Harper is one of the biggest additions on the entire roster and looks ready to step in immediately as a potential all-conference player. He brings toughness, versatility, and the ability to impact games both in coverage and near the line of scrimmage. Malcolm Jones is another crucial piece at safety because the Cyclones need steady veteran play on the back end in a defense that asks safeties to do a lot. The overall talent level here is workable, but once again this is a room where several players are going to have to step up and perform at a higher level against Big 12 competition. If Harper and Jones become difference makers, the defense has a chance to stay competitive most weeks.
ST: Special teams should at least be stable at kicker with Kyle Konrardy returning after hitting nearly 78 percent of his field goals last season, including a long make from 63 yards out. He gives Iowa State a legitimate weapon in long-range situations and one of the more reliable specialists on the roster. The bigger question is punter where freshman Adlai Lounsbury is expected to step in right away. There is not much proven production there yet, but the coaching staff is clearly familiar with him after bringing him over from Washington State.
Coach: This is basically a complete reset for Iowa State’s coaching staff after the previous group left for Penn State. New head coach Jimmy Rogers built a strong reputation at South Dakota State before coaching at Washington State. Offensive coordinator Tyler Roehl and defensive coordinator Jesse Bobbit also arrive from Washington State, giving the program immediate familiarity in scheme and terminology. There is real belief that Rogers can eventually build a solid program in Ames because he has won everywhere he has been. Still, this looks like a difficult first year with so much roster turnover.
Outlook: The reality is this does not look like a true Power 4 roster top to bottom. There are some intriguing transfers, a few experienced veterans, and enough pieces to stay competitive at times, but the overall depth and talent level simply are not there yet. Rogers probably is not going to be judged heavily on wins in year one because the program is clearly in transition. What matters more is whether Iowa State looks organized, competitive, and headed in the right direction by November. A bowl game would be a major accomplishment for this group. Right now, though, 2 to 3 wins feels like the more realistic expectation unless several transfer additions immediately play above expectations.
QB
1. Jaylen Raynor — SR — 6'0"/200 — Ark St
2. Zane Flores — SO — 6'3"/215 — Ok St
RB
1. Cameron Pettaway—SO —5'10"/175— Bowl Gre
2. Salahadin Allah — JR —5'11"/220 — Ore St
WR
1. Cody Jackson — SR — 6'0"/175 — Tar St
1. Omari Hayes — JR — 5'9"/170 — Tulane
1. Dominic Overby — SO — 6'5"/200 — Iowa St
2. Carter Pabst — SO — 6'1"/195 — Wash St
2. Jeffrey Roberts — FR — 6'0"/180 — HS
2. Evan Boyd — JR — 6'3"/210 — Mich St
TE
1. Tyler Fortenberry —SR —6'5"/240 — Ark St
2. Keaton Roskop — SO — 6'3"/240 — Iowa St
T
1. Jake Taylor — JR — 6'6"/315 — Oklahoma
1. Gavin Proudfoot — SR — 6'7"/300 — N Iowa
2. Maasai King — SR — 6'4"/310 — Akron
2. Colin Amick — SO — 6'6"/290 — Montana
G
1.Braden Smith — SO — 6'4"/290 — Tar St
1. Garret Rutledge — SO —6'7"/315 — Iowa St
2. Trevor Bindel —FR — 6'5"/300 — Wash St
2. Dontrell Holt — SO —6'5"/315 — Iowa St
C
1. Gavin Broscious— JR — 6'4"/310 — Mich St
2. DeAndre Carter — 2SO — 6'4"/345 — Auburn
DE
1. Malaki Ta'ase — JR — 6'2"/265 — WashSt
1. Isaac Terrell — SR — 6'2"/245 — Wash St
2. Jack Janikowski — JR —6'2"/240 — Wash St
2. Caden Crawford — SR — 6'4"/265 — S Dak
DT
1. Jareb Ramos — SR — 6'4"/285 — Montana
1. Bryson Lamb — SR — 6'2"/300 — Washn St
2. Zaimir Hawk — JR — 6'3"/305 — Iowa State
2. Donovan Fitzmaurice— SO — 6'3"/285 — WashSt
LB
1. Montreze Smith Jr. — SO — 5'11"/205 — Prairie View A&M
1. Sullivan Schlimgen — SO — 6'1"/220 — Washington St
2. Carson Willich — SR — 6'1"/225 — Iowa State
2. Beau Goodwin — JR — 6'3"/230 — Iowa State
CB
1. Seth Johnson — SO — 5'10/160 — Montana State
1. Jahqeim Singletary — SR — 6'2/200 — Arkansas
2. David Coffey — SO — 6'1/195 — Iowa State
2. Keyon Washington — SO — 6'1/185 — Bowling Green
S
1. Malcolm Jones — SR — 6'1/205 — Jacksonville State
1. Braden Awls — SR — 6'0/195 — Toledo
2. Drew Surges — JR — 6'1/205 — Iowa State
2. Caden Matson — SR — 6'0/205 — Iowa State
NB
1. Micah Harper — SR — 5'10/190 — Montana
2. Beni Ngoyi — JR — 6'4/200 — Iowa State
K
1. Kyle Konrardy — JR — 6'1"/205 — Iowa St
P
1. Adlai Lounsbury —FR — 6'4"/183 — Wash St
Swing Players
A lot of Iowa State’s season is going to come down to whether a few high-impact transfers can immediately become difference makers at key positions. Jaylen Raynor gives the offense its ceiling because his mobility and ability to create outside structure can cover up some of the roster limitations around him. On defense, Micah Harper looks capable of becoming one of the better safeties in the conference and the entire secondary may end up leaning on him heavily from day one. Up front, Isaac Terrell brings proven pass-rush production after recording 12 tackles for loss and 7 sacks at Washington State. Iowa State badly needs somebody who can consistently pressure quarterbacks without relying on constant blitzes. If those three perform at a high level, the Cyclones should at least stay competitive most Saturdays.