Going into the 2026 season, Iowa State looks a lot different than it has in recent years. With former head coach Matt Campbell gone to the Penn State Nittany Lions and a wave of players leaving with him, the Cyclones are staring at a roster that has been heavily reshaped.
That turnover has left plenty of question marks around the roster. The secondary could use work, the offensive line is not strong, and the running back room still needs a lot of improvement. But one area stands out as a real strength: special teams.
In fact, Iowa State could end up with one of the best special teams units in the country.
At the center of it is kicker Kyle Konrardy. He’s already built a reputation for the big moment, including back-to-back game-winning kicks against the Iowa Hawkeyes in back-to-back years.
But his value goes beyond those headline plays. Konrardy’s mix of a powerful leg and a clutch touch has made him one of the premier kickers in the nation.
Punting should belong to Jonah DuPont, who is expected to handle that role next season. DuPont has spent his entire football life in Iowa, moving from high school to junior college and then to FBS football.
He was an All-American at the NJCAA level in 2024, and he was on Iowa State’s roster last year, though he redshirted and never saw game action. There’s still uncertainty about what he’ll become at this level, but the upside is there.
The return game looks strong too. Aiden Flora is back after flashing last season, including a touchdown return against the TCU Horned Frogs.
Iowa State also added Cameron Pettaway from the Bowling Green Falcons, where he earned freshman All-American honors for his return work. Pettaway and Flora should give the Cyclones real juice on kickoffs, while Flora is also set to handle punt returns.
For a team with a lot of uneven spots elsewhere, that matters. The offense has some pieces but not much cohesion, and even a defense expected to define the team still has holes. Special teams, though, looks like the cleanest, deepest, and most dangerous part of the roster.
That could make a real difference in close games. And if Iowa State does find itself in a string of tight finishes this season, special teams may be the unit that tips the balance.
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