After a rough stretch filled with transfer portal exits and swirling uncertainty, Iowa State finally got a win-and it came from an area that’s been unusually quiet lately: recruiting.
Three-star cornerback Torrence Sanders, a 6'1", 180-pound defensive back out of New Orleans, flipped his commitment from Washington State to the Cyclones. It’s not a headline-grabbing, program-altering move, but for a fanbase that’s been searching for any sign of positive momentum, it’s a much-needed breath of fresh air.
Sanders had been committed to Wazzu since early December, but the writing was on the wall once Jimmy Rogers, his head coach, made the move to Iowa State. The connection was too strong to ignore, and Sanders made it official via social media, pairing his announcement with a simple but powerful message: “Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Let’s be clear: this isn’t a five-star splash or a viral recruiting coup. But right now, that’s not what Iowa State needs most.
What they need is stability, a spark, and a reason to believe the program is still moving forward. Sanders provides that.
He’s a top-50 player in Louisiana-a state that consistently produces high-level talent-and his decision gives the Cyclones their 17th commitment in the Class of 2026. That group now includes seven signees and nine other hard commits.
It’s easy for a commitment like this to get lost in the shuffle, especially in a week where the Cyclones have seen a wave of exits and even some public criticism from former players like Jeremiah Cooper, who took to social media to call out the fanbase. But Sanders’ flip is a reminder that not everything is trending downward.
No, this won’t stop the bleeding entirely. The transfer portal era is what it is-volatile, fast-moving, and often unforgiving. But Sanders’ commitment is a sign of life, and right now, that’s more than welcome in Ames.
He may not move the national needle, but for Iowa State, Torrence Sanders arrived at just the right time.