Iowa State’s new era under Jimmy Rogers is already starting to take shape, and one of the most intriguing names in camp is wide receiver Cody Jackson.
The Cyclones are coming off a wild offseason that left the roster heavily reshaped. Matt Campbell built the program over the last decade, but Rogers now inherits a group that was largely stripped down in the transfer portal era. He has already made progress in recruiting and portal additions, yet the challenge remains steep after so much turnover.
Even so, there’s reason to think Iowa State can navigate the transition well. The Big 12 does not appear especially deep this season, and Rogers has shown an ability to squeeze plenty out of his teams. At Washington State, he managed to keep games close against strong competition, which is part of why there’s optimism he can get the most from this roster too.
That makes breakout candidates especially important, and Jackson fits that description. The transfer from Tarleton State was recently added to a watch list for an award, putting him firmly on the radar. His production at Tarleton State backed up the attention: 82 catches for 1,289 yards and 14 touchdowns in 27 games.
He also made a clear jump in his second year there, finishing with 53 receptions, 799 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Before Tarleton State, Jackson was originally with the Oklahoma Sooners, another sign that the talent has been there for a while. Now he gets another shot at the Power Four level with Iowa State.
How the Cyclones want to define themselves this season is still taking shape. The expectation is a team built around defense and the run game, but Jaylen Raynor gives them a quarterback capable of opening things up more than people might assume.
If that balance clicks, Jackson could be right in the middle of it. He has the profile to emerge as one of Iowa State’s top receivers and become a real breakout name on offense.
In Other News...
Iowa State Football Faces An Early Debate Fans Wont Ignore
Iowa State is heading into the 2026 conversation with an odd split profile that should interest anyone tracking what comes next in Ames. ESPNs SP+ has the Cyclones down at No. 102 in returning production, a number that sits near the bottom nationally and lower than almost every other Power Conference program outside Iowa and Vanderbilt, yet the experience picture is not nearly as bleak as that ranking might suggest. On career FBS/FCS snaps played, Iowa State checks in at No. 14 in the Big 12, which gives the roster a different kind of baseline than the raw return numbers first imply.
For fans, that creates an early debate about how much weight to give continuity versus the loss of proven production. The Cyclones have enough accumulated game reps to avoid being labeled a total blank slate, but the national models are clearly skeptical about what is coming back in key spots. Meanwhile, across campus, Iowa State soccer is trying to steady itself after a loss to Drake and a tie with Creighton, with regional matches ahead that include Iowa, adding another layer to a busy stretch for the athletic department. [Read more 🡒]
Cody Jackson Gives Iowa State Fans One More Reason To Watch This Offense
Cody Jackson has added another bit of preseason recognition to an Iowa State offense that already had a few familiar names on watch lists. The Cyclones wide receiver was named to the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award preseason watch list, an honor that goes to the top offensive player in Division I college football with Texas ties, giving Jackson one more reason to draw attention as he enters his redshirt senior year.
For Iowa State, the bigger picture is the collection of players showing up on national radars before the season even gets going. Quarterback Jaylen Raynor, running back Cameron Pettaway and defensive end Isaac Terrell have also landed on preseason watch lists, and Jacksons spot in that group reinforces how much is expected from him. He is projected to play a significant role in the offense, and this latest nod only adds to the anticipation around what Iowa State might get from him this fall. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa State May Have Found An Unusual 2026 Answer Up Front
Iowa States search for help up front may have led to one of the more unusual development paths in college football. Braden Smith, a Franklin, Texas native, started his career at Tarleton State on the defensive line in 2024, then shifted to offensive guard in 2025 and performed strongly there, giving him a rsum that already looks different from most linemen headed into a third college season.
Now he is preparing for 2026, and he is set to take on a new position for the third time in his career. Smith also brings an uncommon background from high school, where he was a four-year varsity player, spent most of his time at tight end and collected multiple honors, including two state championships, making him an intriguing fit for a Cyclones front that could use versatility wherever it can find it. [Read more 🡒]