Iowa State’s latest setback comes with a roster wrinkle that could matter even more than the injury itself.
Point guard Killyan Toure is expected to miss about half of his sophomore season after suffering a shoulder injury, and under the new 5-for-5 eligibility rule, that kind of absence no longer triggers a redshirt designation. Players now get five years to play five college seasons in an age-based model, which changes how teams absorb injuries like this one.
For the Cyclones, the timing is rough. Iowa State is not currently shopping the transfer portal for a fifth-year senior, and the roster appears mostly settled.
Unless something changes in the next few weeks to help cover for Toure - the program does have an open roster spot - T.J. Otzelberger is working with the group he has in place for the 2026-27 season.
The problem is that the rest of the Big 12 has already gone aggressive with the new landscape.
No league in the country has more fifth-year senior transfers than the Big 12, which currently sits at 12. That leads the nation by a wide margin.
The SEC is next with seven fifth-year commits, including former St. John’s guard and Big East Player of the Year RJ Luis, whose eligibility will be challenged by a new SEC policy that was announced.
And while some of these situations are still fluid - especially with fifth-year seniors and international players - the market movement has already given Iowa State a tougher road. If those transfers are allowed to stand, Otzelberger and his staff will have some real ground to make up.
BYU made one of the biggest moves by landing Michigan State’s Jaxon Kohler, a pickup that could push the Cougars from NCAA tournament team to legitimate Big 12 contender. He may be the best fifth-year senior available.
Texas Tech also got into the mix, bringing in Darrion Williams from NC State. It’s his second stint with the Red Raiders, and the first one went very well.
Arizona added former Clemson forward RJ Godfrey, giving the Wildcats a ready-made option to help replace Tobe Awaka inside. Godfrey should help make up for the physical edge lost with Awaka and Koa Peat no longer in the program.
Houston and Cincinnati each brought in backcourt help with plenty of high-level experience. Kelvin Sampson added Chendall Weaver from Texas, and his rebounding ability for a guard fits Houston’s style perfectly.
Cincinnati, meanwhile, hired Jerrod Calhoun away from Utah State and brought MJ Collins with him. Collins averaged 17.5 points in a successful season with the Aggies, and following the coach who helped make that happen made plenty of sense.
That’s the challenge now facing Iowa State: a conference loaded with older, proven talent while the Cyclones try to navigate a hit to their own depth. Otzelberger will have his team ready, but experience is tilting the field toward several of the Big 12’s top programs.
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Iowa State's Backfield Battle Could Shape Its Big 12 Chances
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The depth behind them is part of what makes the position worth watching. Tulane transfer Arnold Barnes gives Iowa State another option to work into the mix, while Caleb Francois and Easton Miller are also expected to get opportunities. How that rotation settles in could wind up mattering far beyond camp, because the Cyclones are looking for a backfield that can stay healthy, stay versatile and give this offense enough balance to matter in Big 12 play. [Read more 🡒]