Jimmy Rogers takes over as head coach in Ames following the end of the Matt Campbell era, inheriting a roster heavily depleted after Campbell took a large group of players with him to Penn State. Jaylen Raynor and Zane Flores will compete for the starting QB job. Bowling Green transfer Cameron Pettaway is projected to be the number one running back ahead of Aiden Flora and Tulane transfer Arnold Barnes. It remains to be seen whether the running back room is of Big 12 quality. The Cyclones lost their top eight receivers from a year ago. There isn’t a player on this roster that has 20 or more career catches at the Power Four conference level. New offensive coordinator Tyler Roehl will have a tough task of putting together a game plan with the limited talent on the roster and a brand-new offensive line.

New defensive coordinator Jesse Bobbit has the challenging task of putting together a brand-new defense. The Cyclones lost their top nine tacklers from a season ago. Six of the top eleven tacklers followed coach Campbell to Penn State. Bobbit brought over a lot of players with him from Washington State, but it’s a tough ask for him to field a competitive defensive unit with the talent they have.

A bright spot for the Cyclones is that big-legged field goal kicker Kyle Konrardy returns. The Cyclones will have a new punter. Return man Aidan Flora will need to have a career year to help put his team in favorable field position. With massive turnover on both sides of the ball and a completely new coaching staff, 2026 shapes up as a full rebuild year for the Cyclones.