Iowa State Faces Pivotal Offseason After Rocco Becht Enters Transfer Portal
There’s no sugarcoating it-this is a defining moment for Iowa State football. The Cyclones are staring down one of their most crucial offseasons in recent memory, and it all started with a seismic shift at the top.
When Matt Campbell made the decision to leave Ames for Penn State in early January, it was clear change was coming. Campbell wasn’t just any head coach-he was the winningest in program history, the architect of Iowa State’s rise to national relevance. His departure opened the door to a new era, and with it, the inevitable roster turnover that comes when a program resets.
Enter Jimmy Rogers. The former South Dakota State and Washington State head coach was tapped by athletic director Jamie Pollard to lead the next chapter.
Rogers brings a strong résumé and a reputation for building tough, disciplined teams. But his first and perhaps most urgent challenge?
Holding the roster together.
That task just got a lot tougher.
On Saturday, the Cyclones took a major hit when three-year starting quarterback Rocco Becht announced he’s entering the transfer portal. Becht isn’t just any departure-he’s been the face of the offense, a steady presence under center, and a key piece of Iowa State’s identity over the past few seasons. His exit leaves a significant void at the most important position on the field.
Becht’s decision is part of a broader wave of exits. As of December 20, about 10 players have announced plans to transfer out of the program. That’s not unusual in today’s college football landscape, especially after a coaching change, but it underscores the urgency Rogers faces in rebuilding both the roster and the culture.
The quarterback room, in particular, is now front and center. With Becht gone, Iowa State will be breaking in a new starter for the first time in years.
That means all eyes will be on how Rogers and his expected offensive coordinator, Tyler Roehl, approach the offseason. Whether they look to the portal, a younger player on the roster, or a late recruiting addition, the decision will shape the identity of the Cyclones’ offense in 2026 and beyond.
This is where coaching hires start to earn their stripes. For Rogers, the next few months aren’t just about plugging holes-they’re about setting a tone.
Retaining key players, attracting new talent, and establishing a vision for where this program goes next. And that starts with finding the next leader under center.
The Cyclones are at a crossroads. The Matt Campbell era is officially over, and the Jimmy Rogers era is underway. What happens next will determine how quickly Iowa State can regain its footing-or whether a longer rebuild lies ahead.