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Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht announces his intent to transfer
College football: Becht recently underwent surgery on non-throwing shoulder, but is expected to be healthy in time for 2026 season
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AMES — No one represented Iowa State football like Rocco Becht in the latter years of the Matt Campbell era.
That’s a quarterback’s job — to be the face of the program, in good times and bad.
Now that face will change.
Becht, a three-season starter, announced Saturday on social media that he intends to enter the transfer portal roughly two weeks after Campbell ended his 10-season tenure with the Cyclones by accepting the Penn State head coaching position.
“This program, this community, and this fanbase have shaped me in ways I’ll carry for the rest of my life,” Becht said in a tribute-filled Instagram post. “I’ve had meaningful conversations with (new ISU head) Coach Jimmy Rogers, and I’m confident he will elevate this program to new heights. But after deep consideration, I’ve decided to pursue new opportunities for my senior season. This decision was not taken lightly — it comes from a place of growth, purpose, and belief in where my path is leading.”
Becht recently underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder and is expected to be fully healthy next season after battling through an array of health conditions while leading the Cyclones to an 8-4 mark in 2024.
The 6-1, 205-pound senior from Wesley Chapel, Fla., threw a career-low 16 touchdown passes this season and a career-high-tying nine interceptions. But Becht’s career touchdown-to-interception ratio is 65-to-27 — and he led ISU on seven career game-winning fourth-quarter drives, which ranks third nationally among active FBS quarterbacks. Becht ends his Cyclone career as the second winningest quarterback (26 wins, behind Brock Purdy’s 30) in program history.
“You embraced me, supported me, and pushed me to become better — not only as a player, but as a man,” Becht concluded in his social media post addressed to ‘Cyclone Nation.’ “Iowa State will forever be a part of who I am. Thanks you for every moment, every cheer, and every ounce of belief you poured into me. I’ll always represent Cyclone Nation with pride.”
Iowa State standout cornerback Jontez Williams also announced on social media Saturday that he plans to enter the portal. Williams led the Cyclones in interceptions last season with four, but recorded none in five games in 2025 before suffering a season-ending injury.
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