College football season is creeping up fast, and Iowa State is already turning the page toward its September 5 opener against SEMO. This year’s Cyclones are walking into a new era, too - after losing every offensive and defensive starter in the offseason, the 2026 roster looks almost entirely rebuilt.
With that in mind, here’s the first chunk of the top 25 Iowa State players heading into the season, starting at 25 and working up to 21.
At No. 25, Hawk stands out mostly because he’s one of the few returners from last year’s team.
He hasn’t made much of a mark in a Cyclones uniform yet, but there’s still something to work with. The problem is simple: Iowa State’s defensive line is its deepest position group, and that makes it hard to see Hawk carving out many snaps.
Bryson Lamb comes in at No. 24 after following head coach Jimmy Rogers and defensive coordinator Jesse Bobbit over from Washington State. He mattered on the Cougars’ defensive front in 2025, and having already lived in this system should give him a real head start. Even so, the numbers game up front is brutal, and playing time won’t come easily.
No. 23 is Pabst, another former Cougar who also played for Coach Rogers. He was a solid receiver in that system and already knows how to operate within it, which gives him a path to opportunities with the Cyclones. The catch is that Iowa State has plenty of wideouts fighting for the same reps.
Gain Broscious lands at No. 22 after spending his entire college career with Michigan State. He made four starts in 2025, and with limited competition on Iowa State’s offensive line, he should have a clear shot at plenty of action. The bigger question is whether all of that Power Four experience can help steady the unit and push the offense forward.
At No. 21, Evan Boyd brings another former Spartan background, along with a stop at Central Michigan.
He was productive enough with the Chippewas to earn his way to Michigan State, though his time in East Lansing was quieter. Still, those two catches for 40 yards against the future national champions in the Indiana Hoosiers hint at what he could bring to the Cyclones this season.
In Other News...
Iowa State Football Faces An Early Debate Fans Wont Ignore
Iowa State is heading into the 2026 conversation with an odd split profile that should interest anyone tracking what comes next in Ames. ESPNs SP+ has the Cyclones down at No. 102 in returning production, a number that sits near the bottom nationally and lower than almost every other Power Conference program outside Iowa and Vanderbilt, yet the experience picture is not nearly as bleak as that ranking might suggest. On career FBS/FCS snaps played, Iowa State checks in at No. 14 in the Big 12, which gives the roster a different kind of baseline than the raw return numbers first imply.
For fans, that creates an early debate about how much weight to give continuity versus the loss of proven production. The Cyclones have enough accumulated game reps to avoid being labeled a total blank slate, but the national models are clearly skeptical about what is coming back in key spots. Meanwhile, across campus, Iowa State soccer is trying to steady itself after a loss to Drake and a tie with Creighton, with regional matches ahead that include Iowa, adding another layer to a busy stretch for the athletic department. [Read more 🡒]
Cody Jackson Gives Iowa State Fans One More Reason To Watch This Offense
Cody Jackson has added another bit of preseason recognition to an Iowa State offense that already had a few familiar names on watch lists. The Cyclones wide receiver was named to the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award preseason watch list, an honor that goes to the top offensive player in Division I college football with Texas ties, giving Jackson one more reason to draw attention as he enters his redshirt senior year.
For Iowa State, the bigger picture is the collection of players showing up on national radars before the season even gets going. Quarterback Jaylen Raynor, running back Cameron Pettaway and defensive end Isaac Terrell have also landed on preseason watch lists, and Jacksons spot in that group reinforces how much is expected from him. He is projected to play a significant role in the offense, and this latest nod only adds to the anticipation around what Iowa State might get from him this fall. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa State May Have Found An Unusual 2026 Answer Up Front
Iowa States search for help up front may have led to one of the more unusual development paths in college football. Braden Smith, a Franklin, Texas native, started his career at Tarleton State on the defensive line in 2024, then shifted to offensive guard in 2025 and performed strongly there, giving him a rsum that already looks different from most linemen headed into a third college season.
Now he is preparing for 2026, and he is set to take on a new position for the third time in his career. Smith also brings an uncommon background from high school, where he was a four-year varsity player, spent most of his time at tight end and collected multiple honors, including two state championships, making him an intriguing fit for a Cyclones front that could use versatility wherever it can find it. [Read more 🡒]