Iowa State’s offseason reset has brought a lot of change, but one of Jimmy Rogers’ biggest additions is already earning national attention.
Defensive end Isaac Terrell, one of the familiar faces Rogers brought with him from Washington State, has been named to the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list. The annual honor, presented by the Maxwell Football Club, goes to the most outstanding defensive player in college football.
That kind of preseason recognition makes sense after the season Terrell just put together. He went from a quiet start to a breakout 2025 campaign with the Cougars, and the jump was dramatic.
Through his first two college seasons, he appeared in 21 games and totaled just 12 tackles with one tackle for loss. Last year, he turned into a force off the edge, finishing with 28 combined tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks, one pass deflection and one forced fumble.
He also showed he could do it against high-level competition. Against Ole Miss, a College Football Playoff team last season, Terrell racked up four tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble.
That production is part of why Cyclone fans have plenty to watch as the season approaches. The defensive line appears to be Iowa State’s strength early on, and Terrell may be the centerpiece of that group.
There’s also a built-in comfort level here. Terrell already knows Rogers and defensive coordinator Jesse Bobbit from their time together, which should make his move into the Iowa State defense smoother. He’s expected to be one of the top players on the unit, and the team has also named him one of its captains.
For a roster that looks very different after the coaching change, Terrell gives Iowa State a proven edge rusher with a track record of disrupting games. That’s exactly the sort of player who can set the tone from day one.
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