Iowa State's 2027 Recruiting Push Begins Under Jimmy Rogers’ Fast-Paced Vision
AMES - There’s no easing into the job for Jimmy Rogers. The new Iowa State head coach has wasted no time hitting the recruiting trail, and he’s made one thing clear: the Cyclones are playing catch-up when it comes to the 2027 class.
“We’re behind,” Rogers said candidly last week. “It’s high school recruiting right now.
We’re going to hit the state in recruiting. But, yeah, we’re behind.”
That kind of honesty is rare, but it’s also refreshing-and it sets the tone for what’s shaping up to be an aggressive push to build the future of Cyclone football. Since Sunday, Rogers and his new staff have been out on the road, making early impressions and laying the groundwork for what they hope will be a strong 2027 class.
Among the prospects already on their radar: offensive linemen Will Slagle and Nate Brenneman, tight ends Drew Kessel and Austin Dowd, wide receivers Landon Blum and Logan Van Den Broek, and linebacker Kason Clayborne. The Cyclones have also connected with Branden Sharpe, Braylon Lane, Sam Dostal, and Eli Fuller-early names to know as Iowa State builds out its recruiting board.
This early activity isn’t just about checking boxes or making introductions. It’s about establishing relationships, evaluating talent, and setting a tone for the kind of players Rogers wants in his program. And with the 2027 class still in its infancy, this is the critical window where programs can separate themselves with consistency and vision.
While recruiting efforts for the future are underway, the present roster is already taking shape for winter workouts and spring ball. Iowa State’s 2026 roster is a picture of class balance-something every coach covets when building sustainable success.
The 104-man roster heading into spring practices breaks down into 26 seniors, 28 juniors, 26 sophomores, and 24 freshmen. That freshman group will grow to 39 once the final 15 signees from the 2026 class arrive on campus this summer.
That kind of balance gives the Cyclones a stable foundation. It allows the coaching staff to develop talent across multiple classes, avoid depth chart bottlenecks, and maintain a healthy pipeline of contributors. But it also puts added importance on nailing the upcoming recruiting cycles-especially with a new staff looking to establish its identity.
As Rogers and his crew continue to evaluate high school prospects, the early signs suggest a clear priority: get back in the game, and fast. The Cyclones might be behind in the 2027 cycle, but they’re not staying there for long. The work is already underway, and for Iowa State fans, this marks the beginning of a new era-one that’s starting with urgency, transparency, and a whole lot of windshield time.