AMES - The college football calendar might say the transfer portal doesn’t officially open until January 2, 2026, but let’s be real - the wheels are already turning. Names are hitting the portal, conversations are happening, and programs across the country are recalibrating their rosters for the next chapter. Iowa State is right in the thick of it.
The Cyclones are entering a new era - and it’s a big one. After a decade at the helm, Matt Campbell has left Ames to take the job at Penn State.
That’s not just a coaching change; that’s the end of one of the most stable runs in Iowa State football history. In steps Jimmy Rogers, fresh off a strong run at Washington State, and now tasked with steering the Cyclones into the future.
With that kind of shift, roster turnover isn’t just expected - it’s inevitable. Rogers acknowledged as much during his introductory press conference last week, addressing the realities of the modern transfer landscape with refreshing honesty.
“Some players will go,” Rogers said. “Some will go to Penn State.
It’s a common thing now, and if we don’t like it, let’s change the rules. So, I don’t blame those kids at all.”
That’s the new normal in college football. Coaching changes trigger player movement.
Loyalty is often tied to relationships - and when those relationships shift, so do commitments. It’s not about betrayal; it’s about opportunity, fit, and sometimes just following the coach who believed in you first.
So yes, it’s likely some Cyclones will head east to join Campbell in Happy Valley. But the door swings both ways. Just as some Iowa State players may leave, others - especially those with ties to Rogers from his time in Pullman - could be heading to Ames.
That’s where the intrigue begins. Several former Washington State players have already entered the portal, and they’re names to watch for Cyclone fans.
These are players who know Rogers’ system, have been molded by his culture, and could help jumpstart his first season in Ames. Whether it’s defensive anchors or offensive weapons, don’t be surprised if a few familiar faces from the Pac-12 (or what’s left of it) find themselves at Jack Trice Stadium in 2026.
The full portal frenzy is still a couple of weeks away, but the groundwork is already being laid. For Iowa State, this offseason isn’t just about replacing a coach - it’s about reshaping a program. And with Jimmy Rogers leading the charge, expect a roster that looks different, plays with edge, and carries the DNA of a coach who’s not afraid to embrace the chaos of the modern game.