Iowa State just landed another key piece for its 2026 recruiting class - and once again, it comes at Washington State’s expense.
Linebacker Bradley Esser, a standout from Harrisburg, South Dakota, has flipped his commitment from Washington State to Iowa State. It’s the latest ripple effect from Jimmy Rogers’ move from Pullman to Ames, and Esser becomes the fourth former Washington State commit to follow Rogers to the Cyclones, joining Malcolm Watkins, Derek Worden, and Landon Kalsbeck.
Esser originally signed with Washington State in early December, choosing the Cougars over a Power Conference offer from Northwestern. But when Rogers accepted the head coaching job at Iowa State, the writing was on the wall. Now, Esser is officially part of the Cyclones’ 2026 class - the tenth commit overall - and his addition could signal more movement ahead as Iowa State reshapes its recruiting board under the new regime.
Let’s break down why this matters.
Rogers and his defensive coordinator Jesse Bobbit have been in Esser’s corner for a while now. In fact, they were the first to offer him a scholarship back when they were still at South Dakota State.
That’s three different programs where this coaching duo has prioritized Esser - and that kind of consistency in recruitment says a lot. They see something special in the 6-foot-2, 210-pound linebacker, and they’ve made it clear they’re willing to bet on his upside wherever they go.
Bobbit described Esser as a physical, versatile defender who brings a unique blend of traits to the linebacker spot. “The biggest thing with Bradley is his size, physicality and multiplicity,” Bobbit said when Esser first signed at Washington State.
That versatility stems from Esser’s high school days, where he played safety before transitioning down into the box. That kind of positional flexibility is a big deal in today’s game, where hybrid defenders are becoming essential for modern defenses.
Esser’s athletic profile jumps off the page. He’s got track speed, a violent tackling style, and a knack for taking clean, efficient angles to the football.
And according to Bobbit, Esser’s frame is still filling out - which means his best football might still be ahead of him. “Only going to get bigger,” Bobbit noted.
That’s exactly what you want to hear if you’re a Cyclones fan looking for long-term upside in the linebacker room.
This move continues a clear trend for Iowa State: building a 2026 class around players who already have strong ties to Rogers and his staff. It’s not just about flipping recruits - it’s about bringing in guys who fit the system, understand the culture, and have already earned the staff’s trust. Esser checks all those boxes.
So while this might look like a simple commitment flip on paper, it’s part of a much bigger puzzle. Rogers is laying the foundation for his vision at Iowa State, and Bradley Esser is a key piece of that blueprint.