When Derek Worden flipped his commitment from Washington State to Iowa State on December 26, it looked like a standard recruiting move. But in hindsight, it was the first domino in a cascade that’s now reshaped the Cyclones’ 2026 recruiting class - and it’s all tied to one man: new head coach Jimmy Rogers.
Worden, an offensive lineman and the first of now 11 former Washington State commits to join Iowa State’s 2026 class, kept it simple when explaining his decision: “Wanted to follow a head coach I have faith in.” That kind of loyalty speaks volumes, especially in today’s ever-shifting college football landscape. And it’s clear he wasn’t alone in that sentiment.
When Rogers left Pullman to take over the reins in Ames, the ripple effects were immediate. Iowa State’s class had already taken a hit - seven of Matt Campbell’s original Cyclone signees followed him to Penn State.
That left Rogers with a class in flux and a short runway to rebuild. What he’s done since then is nothing short of impressive.
Rather than starting from scratch, Rogers and general manager Ricky Ciccone leaned into the relationships they’d already built at Washington State. The result? A wave of former Cougar commits now calling themselves future Cyclones.
The list includes wide receiver Malcolm Watkins, tight ends Drew Byrd and Luke Galer, offensive lineman Kingston Fotualii, defensive linemen Tyler Burnstein, Jake Jones, and Savion Barthelemy, and linebackers Landon Kalsbeck and Bradley Esser. That’s a full positional spread - a mini team within a team - and it’s giving Iowa State’s 2026 class a very different identity than it had just a few weeks ago.
For Worden, there’s more than just familiarity with the coaching staff. There’s a sense of unity forming among these players who’ve made the jump together.
“I like being able to have something that connects all of us,” he said. And that connection - forged through shared commitment and belief in a coach’s vision - could be the foundation for something bigger in Ames.
As of now, Iowa State’s 2026 recruiting class sits at No. 66 nationally. That’s a drop from the No. 51 ranking the Cyclones held on December 3, before Campbell’s departure.
But given the circumstances - a coaching change, a reshuffled staff, and a class that was in danger of unraveling - this is a strong recovery. And with Rogers still working the phones and the portal, don’t be surprised if more names get added to the list soon.
This early wave of loyalty and cohesion is giving Iowa State fans a glimpse of what Rogers is building: a program rooted in trust, resilience, and a clear identity. The Cyclones may have lost some ground, but they’ve gained a coach and a class that are already moving in lockstep - and that’s a powerful place to start.