Iowa State’s offense is heading into a reset, and one of the clearest bets on the board is Cameron Pettaway.
After a rough offseason that sent a majority of the Cyclones’ players into the transfer portal, the roster looks very different, and plenty of roles are still up for grabs. Jimmy Rogers had to work aggressively in the portal to rebuild the group, but this is not the same level of talent Iowa State had a year ago.
That uncertainty is exactly why Pettaway stands out. The incoming running back from Bowling Green looks like the most likely starter, and that gives him a real shot to become one of the team’s brighter offensive pieces in a season where Iowa State is not expected to be in the Big 12 title picture.
The backfield was a strength last season with Carson Hansen and Abu Sama III leading the way, but both are gone now. That leaves the Cyclones with a fresh group and, at least for now, Pettaway looks like the best candidate to handle the bulk of the work.
What Iowa State wants to be offensively is still taking shape, but the early signs point to a defense-first approach that could lean heavily on the run game. If that’s how the Cyclones choose to play, Pettaway’s role could grow quickly.
The big question is how much the coaching staff gives him right away. A strong camp would go a long way toward locking down the starting job, and if he gets there, a 1,000-yard season is very much in play.