The winds of change continue to blow through Ames, and while the headlines around Iowa State football have mostly focused on departures in recent weeks, there’s another side to the story - one that’s beginning to take shape under new head coach Jimmy Rogers.
Yes, the Cyclones have lost players. That much is clear. But they’re also gaining some key pieces, and over the weekend, Rogers wasted no time tapping into familiar territory to start rebuilding the roster his way.
Several of the newest additions to Iowa State’s 2026 class are players who initially committed to Washington State - where Rogers was head coach before making the move to Ames. That pipeline has now become a lifeline for the Cyclones as they reload for Year 1 of the Rogers era.
Let’s take a closer look at the newest Cyclones:
Derek Worden, Offensive Tackle
At 6-foot-5 and 280 pounds, Worden brings ideal size for the edge of the offensive line.
The Arizona native had previously committed to Washington State and also held an offer from Arizona. He’s a three-star prospect who fits the mold of a developmental tackle with high upside - long frame, good movement skills, and familiarity with Rogers’ system.
Landon Kalsbeck, Athlete
Kalsbeck, listed at 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds, is another three-star recruit who followed Rogers from Pullman to Ames.
Hailing from Littleton, Colorado, he’s the kind of versatile athlete coaches love to mold. Whether he ends up on offense or defense, he brings size and physicality to the table, with a skillset that could translate to multiple roles.
Bradley Esser, Safety
Esser is a 6-foot-2, 209-pound safety out of South Dakota - a three-star recruit who had also drawn interest from Northwestern.
That tells you something about both his football IQ and athleticism. He’s got the frame to play downhill and the range to cover ground in the secondary, and he’s another player who had committed to Washington State before flipping to the Cyclones.
Kingston Fotualii, Offensive Lineman
At 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds, Fotualii adds more muscle to the trenches.
The Washington native is yet another former Wazzu commit making the transition with Rogers. He’s a physical presence up front, and while he may need time to develop, he fits the blueprint of a mauler who can help set the tone in the run game.
Jake Jones, Defensive Lineman
Jones brings a 6-foot-2, 275-pound frame to the defensive front.
He’s an Arizona product who had offers from Boise State and Colorado State, among others. His flip to Iowa State adds depth and power to the defensive line - a unit that will likely be a focal point for Rogers as he instills his brand of physical football.
Tyler Burnstein, Defensive End
Burnstein stands 6-foot-4 and weighs in at 235 pounds.
Another Arizona native, he had offers from Arizona State and Nevada, and like the others, originally committed to Washington State. He projects as a pass rusher with length and burst - exactly the kind of edge presence that can thrive in an aggressive defensive scheme.
Caleb Schmidt, Long Snapper (Transfer)
Rounding out the group is Schmidt, a 6-foot-3, 240-pound long snapper transferring in from Division II Minot State in North Dakota.
Special teams might not always get the spotlight, but having a reliable long snapper is critical, especially for a program in transition. Schmidt brings experience and size to a specialized role.
With the transfer portal set to open on January 2, expect the movement - both incoming and outgoing - to continue at a rapid pace. Rogers is clearly wasting no time putting his stamp on this roster, and if this weekend’s activity is any indication, he’s leaning heavily on players who already know his system, his style, and his expectations.
There’s still a long way to go before Iowa State’s 2026 class is finalized, and plenty of roster reshuffling is likely on the horizon. But for now, the Cyclones are starting to take shape - and the early returns suggest Rogers is bringing a familiar foundation to Ames as he begins building something new.