Cyclones expected to contend for Big 12 Title

AMES — “How do we grow greatness forward?”

That — Iowa State football coach Matt Campbell said earlier this month at Big 12 media days in Dallas — has been his program’s “mantra" since it regrouped in January in an effort to build off a historic 11-win season.

The Cyclones return most of their key players from that record-breaking Pop-Tarts Bowl-winning team and recently began training camp in advance of a unique and vitally important Week 0 season opener against arch-rival Kansas State in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic on Aug. 23 in Dublin, Ireland.

Campbell often talks about ISU’s vanishingly small margin for error each season — and that truism will accompany the 2025 Cyclones from the opening snap on the Emerald Isle.

Bottom line: Campbell’s team will be among several teams expected to contend for a Big 12 title again this season. But plenty of question marks — as usual — color ISU’s hopes for a first league championship, and here are five entering Friday’s annual media day at Jack Trice Stadium.

1. Who steps up at wide receiver? Former stars and current Houston Texans Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel accounted for 60.3 percent of the Cyclones’ receptions last season and 68 percent of the team’s touchdown catches. It’s impossible to replace the second- and third-round NFL Draft picks, but the return of oft-injured senior wideout Daniel Jackson — who missed all of last season — and dynamic running back Carson Hansen, who caught two touchdown passes out of the backfield, should help quarterback Rocco Becht remain productive in 2025. Returning tight ends such as Ben Brahmer and Gabe Burkle also will help in that area, but it will be much more of a by-committee approach through the air for ISU this season.

2. How “violent and versatile” can the offensive line be? This is an annual question but the Cyclones’ front five were as good as they’ve been under Campbell last season. ISU returns several offensive linemen with starting experience — including four-year starting tackle Tyler Miller — so expect this group to take strides forward again in both run blocking and sacks allowed, where they tied for 20th nationally last season.

3. Can the D-line produce pressure? The Cyclones’ struggles in terms of getting to and taking down opposing quarterbacks deepened last season, as their defensive front produced just 16 sacks. That tied for 125th nationally — and was better than just eight FBS teams. The return and ongoing development of players such as Domonique Orange and Ikenna Ezeogu should help, but their snap counts must increase.

4. What’s the “next level” look like for Rocco Becht? It’s remarkable that ISU’s soon-to-be third-year starting quarterback has broken several of Brock Purdy’s records, but he hasn’t come close to hitting his ceiling. He can certainly improve on his 59.4 percent completion rate and has shown flashes of brilliance in the run game. So if Becht stays healthy, expect his best season yet.

5. Who steps up at cornerback opposite of Jontez Williams? Williams is one of the best corners in the Big 12, so whoever lines up at the other corner spot will likely get a major workout this season. Transfer Tre Bell, redshirt freshmen David Coffey and Quentin Taylor, and converted wide receiver Beni Ngoyi will all be in the mix to start alongside Williams and/or serve as his primary backup.

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