Iowa State Faces a Roster Shakeup-and It's Just Getting Started
If you thought Iowa State’s recent roster churn was wild, buckle up. The real storm hits January 2, when the transfer portal officially reopens-and this next wave could redefine the Cyclones’ depth chart for 2025 and beyond.
What’s happening in Ames isn’t unique. It’s just the latest chapter in a college football landscape that’s been turned upside down by the transfer portal, NIL, and a new era of player empowerment. But make no mistake: Iowa State is feeling the full force of this shift, and the timing couldn't be more turbulent.
A New Coach, A New Era… and a Whole Lot of Holes
Jimmy Rogers stepped into the head coaching role at Iowa State and immediately found himself in the middle of a roster exodus. It’s not uncommon to see attrition during a coaching change, but what’s happening here is on another level. The Cyclones are facing turnover across nearly every position group, starting at quarterback.
Right now, the only scholarship QB on the roster from the previous staff is redshirt freshman Connor Moberly, a local product out of Southeast Polk. That’s a thin foundation for a team hoping to stay competitive in the revamped Power Four landscape.
Expect Iowa State to bring in at least two quarterbacks through the portal. One name to watch is Jaylen Raynor, who’s coming off a stint at Arkansas State.
There’s a natural connection here-Cyclones’ new quarterbacks coach is reportedly Keith Heckendorf, who previously coached Raynor in Jonesboro.
That kind of relationship-driven recruiting is going to be critical for Rogers and his staff as they try to rebuild a roster that’s been gutted. Only three starters from the Cyclones’ season finale against Oklahoma State are expected to return.
That’s not a typo-three. The next 15 days of portal activity could shape the entire trajectory of Iowa State football heading into 2025.
Don’t Just Blame Matt Campbell
It’s easy to point fingers at Matt Campbell’s sudden departure for Penn State. After all, his exit triggered the first major wave of transfers. But to lay all the blame at his feet would miss the bigger picture.
Campbell had been a fixture in Ames for nearly a decade, turning down multiple offers over the years. That kind of loyalty led many to believe he might be in it for the long haul, perhaps even building something akin to what Kirk Ferentz has at Iowa or what Bill Snyder had at Kansas State. But when the Penn State job opened, it was more than just another opportunity-it was a return to his roots in eastern Ohio and a chance to coach at a blue-blood program.
Hard to fault a guy for chasing his dream.
Still, his departure did open the floodgates. Players followed him, others left in search of more playing time, better NIL deals, or simply a fresh start.
Some realized they weren’t quite cut out for Power Four football. Others may find themselves without a chair when the music stops, landing at programs a step down from where they started.
The Bigger Problem: A System Built for Chaos
This isn’t just an Iowa State problem-it’s a college football problem. The current system practically encourages player movement. Every offseason has become a full-blown free agency period, with fans and boosters caught in the middle, trying to make sense of who’s staying, who’s leaving, and who’s getting paid.
NIL was supposed to give athletes a fair shot at compensation. And in many ways, it has.
But it’s also created a bidding war environment that lacks guardrails. The richest programs are stockpiling talent, while others scramble to keep up.
The result? Roster turnover like we’re seeing at Iowa State, where nearly two dozen former starters have entered the portal.
This is Iowa State’s first coaching transition since NIL became a reality in July 2021. And the fallout has been swift and severe.
What Could Be Done?
If college football wants to slow the chaos, it needs to consider real structural changes. Here are a few ideas being floated in coaching circles and front offices alike:
- Delay the transfer window: Pushing the portal opening to May-after spring ball and finals-would give coaches a clearer picture of their roster and allow players to make more informed decisions. It also preserves the integrity of spring workouts, which are quickly becoming more valuable than ever.
- Multi-year player contracts: Just like coaches have buyouts, why not introduce contracts for players with similar clauses? If a player leaves early, either they or their new school could be responsible for a buyout. It would add a layer of accountability to the process.
- Clarify who controls NIL funds: Is it the coach? The athletic department?
A collective? Right now, it’s a gray area.
Defining how NIL money is distributed-and who decides-could bring some much-needed transparency.
Will any of this happen? That’s the million-dollar question.
So far, the NCAA has been more reactive than proactive. But if the current model continues unchecked, we may be looking at a version of college football that’s barely recognizable from what fans have grown up loving.
What’s Next for Iowa State?
The next few weeks will be critical. Rogers and his staff are in a race against time to rebuild a roster that’s been stripped down to the studs. They’ll need to hit the portal hard, lean on relationships, and sell a vision of stability in an unstable environment.
It’s a tall order-but it’s also the new normal.
This is what college football looks like in 2025. A sport where entire depth charts can disappear overnight.
Where loyalty is often trumped by opportunity. And where programs like Iowa State have to adapt-or get left behind.