Iowa State transfer portal updates

Iowa State’s leading rusher (Carson Hansen) and wide receiver (Brett Eskildsen), along with one of its most experienced linebackers (Caleb Bacon), committed to Penn State on Sunday.

ESPN and On3 reported the news on the former Cyclone trio’s movement first.

Hansen rushed for 1,704 yards and 19 touchdowns the past two seasons. Eskildsen averaged 17.5 yards per catch and totaled 526 yards while hauling in five touchdowns this season.

Bacon totaled 128 tackles, six sacks and two forced fumbles in two seasons as a starter. — Rob Gray, correspondent

Former Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht follows Matt Campbell to Penn State (1/4/26)

  Buy Photo

Former Iowa State star quarterback Rocco Becht intends to transfer to Penn State, according to a report from CBS Sports.

Becht — the Cyclones’ second-winningest quarterback in program history — threw 16 touchdown passes to nine interceptions while battling myriad injuries this season. His career touchdown-to-interception ratio is 64-to-27 and he’s also rushed for 19 touchdowns in his career.

Former Cedar Rapids Prairie star Gabe Burkle commits to Penn State (1/4/26)

  Buy Photo

Former Cedar Rapids Prairie star Gabe Burkle announced his commitment to to Matt Campbell and Penn State Sunday on social media.

The 6-6, 255-pound tight end caught 26 passes for 302 yards and a touchdown this season before being sidelined with an injury sustained in the 20-17 win at TCU in early November.

Burkle's one of a handful of former Cyclones to already commit to the Nittany Lions, joining fellow tight end Ben Brahmer, safety Marcus Neal, and others.

ISU’s Jimmy Rogers lands three more from the transfer portal (1/4/26)

A former familiar foe and one of the MAC’s top offensive lineman are among the recent commitments to Iowa State.

Former Arkansas State quarterback Jaylen Raynor and former Akron offensive tackle Maasai King told CBS Sports late Saturday and early Sunday, respectively, that they plan to join Jimmy Rogers’ program in Ames.

Raynor — who played against the Cyclones in each of the past two seasons — accounted for 67 total touchdowns (52 passing, 15 rushing) in three seasons with the Red Wolves. He’s also thrown 28 career interceptions and retains one season of eligibility.

The Cyclones also recently picked up a commitment from 6-7, 300-pound former Northern Iowa offensive tackle Gavin Proudfoot, who also retains one season of eligibility.

King, a 6-4, 305-pound senior to be, allowed just two sacks last season for the Zips, according to PFF College.

Comments: robgray18@icloud.com