Iowa State’s first real chance to show what this rebuilt roster can be starts at home in Week 1 against Southeast Missouri State, and the wide receiver room is one of the more intriguing pieces to watch.
The Cyclones come into the season in a very different place after a strong run last year gave way to the departure of long-time head coach Matt Campbell. In the transfer portal era, that meant plenty of turnover, with most of the roster leaving and many following him to the Penn State Nittany Lions. That left new head coach Jimmy Rogers to piece things back together through the portal, and the expectation now is that coaching can help the new additions take another step.
One area that could end up looking better than expected is receiver. It’s a group with a fresh feel, but not one without upside.
That matters because quarterback Jaylen Raynor is arriving off a 3,000-yard passing season with the Arkansas State Red Wolves, and Iowa State will be counting on him to bring that production into the Big 12. To get there, he’ll need quick chemistry with a new set of targets, and there are a few names that stand out.
Omari Hayes looks like the most proven option in the room. He’s coming off a solid season with the Tulane Green Wave, where he posted 39 catches for 515 yards and one touchdown.
Cody Jackson is another receiver worth tracking. The senior began his college career at Oklahoma before spending the last two seasons at Tarleton State, and while the jump in competition will be real, he still put up 799 receiving yards last year.
Then there’s Dominic Overby, the returning sophomore who got his first taste of action with the Cyclones last season. He showed enough promise to put himself in position for a meaningful role this fall.
So while the roster is new and the offense still has to prove it can click, Iowa State may have more at receiver than people realize. Week 1 against Southeast Missouri State gives that group an early chance to show it.
In Other News...
Jimmy Rogers Kept An Iowa State Tradition Fans Truly Care About
For Iowa State, Victory Day has long been one of the most meaningful dates on the football calendar, and this years edition carried that same familiar warmth under new head coach Jimmy Rogers. The annual event gave children with disabilities a chance to tour the programs facilities, spend time with Cyclone players and take part in football drills, keeping alive a tradition that has become about much more than the sport itself.
The gathering also drew a bigger crowd than before, with participation climbing to 86 children. Each participant got the chance to score a touchdown during a simulated scrimmage at Jack Trice Stadium, a simple but memorable moment that has helped make Victory Day so special for families and fans who see the event as one of the clearest reflections of what Iowa State football wants to stand for. [Read more 🡒]
Dominick Nelsons Exit Revives An Uncomfortable Iowa State Portal Debate
Dominick Nelsons brief run at Iowa State had already taken on the shape of a cautionary tale for portal-era roster building. After arriving from Utah Valley, where he had been WAC Player of the Year, Nelson saw his scoring average dip sharply in Ames, a reminder that a productive fit in one system does not always translate cleanly to another. Now that he has been granted a fifth year of eligibility, his decision to head back to Utah Valley for the 2026-27 season closes the loop on a move that never quite clicked.
For Iowa State, the departure brings back a familiar and uncomfortable question about how much certainty there really is in the transfer market. The Cyclones have leaned into the portal like everyone else, but Nelsons path underscores the risk built into those bets, especially when a players best basketball has already come in a different environment. His return to Utah Valley gives him a chance to reset, while Iowa State is left to keep sorting through what portal success is supposed to look like. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa State Fans Get An Early Look At The Future Friday Night
Friday night offers Iowa State fans an early peek at what the program is trying to build for the future, with several members of the Cyclones 2027 recruiting class heading into their season openers. The class is currently ranked 43rd nationally by 247 Sports and already includes 24 hard commits, among them four prospects from Iowa, giving the staff a solid base to work with before those players ever reach Ames.
Names such as Will Slagle, Isaiah Hansen, Joe Vinyard and Drew Bergfield are all scheduled to take the field this week, and those opener games carry extra weight because they give committed recruits a chance to show how their games are developing. For Iowa State followers, it is the kind of under-the-radar September watching that can make the next few years feel a little more tangible, even if the full shape of the class is still taking form. [Read more 🡒]