The Iowa State football program is entering a new era - and it’s not easing into it. With Matt Campbell now at Penn State and much of the 2025 roster heading for the exits, the Cyclones are facing a full-scale rebuild.
First-year head coach Jimmy Rogers steps into a situation that’s light on returning talent but full of opportunity. The task?
Rebuild the roster from the ground up while maintaining the competitive edge Iowa State fans have come to expect.
This is no small job. Rogers and his staff will need to bring in a significant number of players - not just to fill out the 2026 roster, but to lay the foundation for the program’s long-term future.
Expect Iowa State to be extremely active in both the high school recruiting landscape and the transfer portal. The goal is twofold: field a team that can compete right away and build the kind of depth that sustains success in the Big 12.
The good news? Rogers has been here before.
Just last winter, he took over a depleted Washington State roster and managed to lead the Cougars to a 6-6 season. That experience - navigating a rebuild on the fly - gives him a valuable blueprint as he begins this new chapter in Ames.
While the stakes are different at a Big 12 program with a recent track record of success, Rogers brings a steady hand and a proven approach.
With the transfer portal set to open on Friday, Jan. 2, expect Iowa State to be aggressive. The Cyclones will be looking to reload quickly, and the early signs show a clear strategy: bring in players who already know Rogers’ system and can help set the tone in Year 1.
Here’s a look at the early additions to the new-look Cyclones roster:
Transfer Portal Addition
- Caleb Schmidt, LS, Minot State (Division II) At 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, Schmidt brings size and experience to the special teams unit. Long snappers don’t often make headlines, but consistency at that position is a must - and Schmidt could bring just that.
Class of 2026 Recruits
A clear pattern is emerging: Rogers is leaning on familiarity. Many of these early commits had previously signed with him at Washington State. That continuity could pay dividends as Iowa State lays the groundwork for its next chapter.
- Derek Worden, Offensive Tackle A 6-foot-5, 280-pound lineman from Arizona, Worden had originally committed to Washington State and held an offer from Arizona. A three-star prospect, he brings size and upside to a position group that’s always at a premium.
- Landon Kalsbeck, Athlete At 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds, Kalsbeck is a versatile three-star recruit out of Littleton, Colorado.
Like several others on this list, he was previously committed to Washington State. His athleticism gives the staff flexibility in how they choose to deploy him.
- Bradley Esser, Safety A 6-foot-2, 209-pound safety from South Dakota, Esser is another three-star recruit who had been headed to Washington State. He also held an offer from Northwestern, signaling that Power 5 programs saw real potential in his game.
- Kingston Fotualii, Offensive Lineman At 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds, Fotualii brings mass and mobility to the trenches. Another Washington State flip, he hails from Washington and fits the mold of linemen who can develop into Big 12 contributors.
- Jake Jones, Defensive Lineman A 6-foot-2, 275-pound defensive lineman from Arizona, Jones had offers from Boise State and Colorado State before choosing to follow Rogers to Ames. He’s the kind of player who could carve out a role early if he adjusts quickly to the Big 12 level.
- Tyler Burnstein, Defensive End Burnstein brings length and power at 6-foot-4, 235 pounds.
The Arizona native had offers from Arizona State and Nevada, among others. He’s another Washington State signee who’s making the move to Iowa State, adding to the defensive front’s potential.
- Drew Byrd, Tight End A native of Meridian, Idaho, Byrd was expected to enroll early and is rated a three-star prospect across major recruiting services. At a position where Iowa State has traditionally found success, Byrd could be a name to watch in the coming seasons.
- Savion Barthelemy, Defensive Lineman At 6-foot-3 and 280 pounds, Barthelemy brings SEC-level size to the defensive line. The Louisiana native is a three-star prospect and adds another layer of depth to a unit that’s clearly a priority in this rebuild.
What we’re seeing from Iowa State is a clear, calculated approach. Rogers isn’t just collecting bodies - he’s bringing in players who already understand his system, many of whom were part of his plan at Washington State.
That familiarity could be crucial in accelerating the rebuild. The Cyclones aren’t starting from scratch; they’re bringing in pieces that fit a vision.
The road ahead won’t be easy. The Big 12 is as competitive as ever, and rebuilding a roster takes time. But with Rogers at the helm and a clear strategy in place, Iowa State is setting the stage for a new era - one that could take shape faster than expected if these early additions live up to their billing.