The Iowa State Cyclones football team is in the middle of a wild transformation as they gear up for the 2026 season. With Jimmy Rogers stepping in as head coach, the roster’s gone through a near-complete overhaul thanks to the transfer portal.
More than 50 players have left, and about 45 new faces have arrived. That leaves them with a roster hovering around 105 players.
Let’s dig into what’s changing for the Cyclones, what kind of challenges they’re facing, and some early glimpses at how things might be shaping up under this new staff.
Massive Roster Overhaul
January 2026 felt like a turning point for Iowa State football. The Cyclones’ roster got almost completely reworked in just a few weeks.
With so many departures, Coach Rogers had to hustle to bring in replacements. About 45 new players joined to fill the gaps, swelling the roster to around 105 for the season ahead.
The Impact of the Transfer Portal
The transfer portal has turned into a lifeline for programs looking to rebuild fast. For Iowa State, it meant a shot at snagging fresh talent after so many left.
Sure, it’s a chance to reset, but it’s also a ton of work to blend all these new personalities into a real team. That’s a tall order, and it’s not always clear how quickly things will click.
Coach Jimmy Rogers’ Approach
Coach Rogers has been pretty blunt about it: “You have what you have.” He’s focused on the guys in the room instead of daydreaming about what could be.
It’s a practical—maybe even urgent—approach, since there’s not much time to get this group ready for 2026.
Building Synergy and Continuity
One of the toughest jobs ahead is building some real chemistry between the new coaches and all these players. On defense, there’s at least a little familiarity with the coaches.
But offensively, most of the group is still figuring out the new playbook and what the staff expects from them.
The Importance of Experienced Leadership
There’s one spot where experience is paying off: quarterback. Keith Heckendorf, the new QB coach, and Jaylen Raynor, the quarterback, go way back—three years together with the Red Wolves.
That existing bond is already helping as Raynor makes the leap to a Power Conference gig with the Cyclones. Sometimes, that kind of continuity just matters more than people realize.
Early Signs of Progress
Early on, it looks like the offense is picking things up fast. Heckendorf even mentioned that Raynor can already name every single player on the roster.
That’s some serious dedication. It’s the sort of thing you want to see when you’re trying to build something from scratch.
Introducing the New Offensive Coaching Staff
The Cyclones rolled out their new offensive coaching staff recently. Here’s who’s running the show:
- Tyler Roehl – Offensive Coordinator
- Keith Heckendorf – Quarterbacks Coach
- John Johnson – Running Backs Coach
- Derrick Sherman – Wide Receivers Coach
- Seth Hestness – Tight Ends Coach
- Jake Thornton – Offensive Line Coach
A Unified Vision
At their first sit-down with reporters, the staff talked a lot about having a shared vision for the offense. Even with their different backgrounds, they sounded pretty synced up about what they want to build.
That kind of unity is going to be huge as they try to blend all these new players into something that actually works on the field.
Challenges Ahead
Of course, it’s not going to be easy. The Cyclones have to get everyone on the same page, nail down a workable game plan, and prove they can hang in a Power Conference.
That’s a lot to juggle, and it’ll take some real focus and grit from everyone involved.
Looking Forward to Spring Practices
Spring practices are coming up, and they’ll be a big test for this new-look team. Coaches will keep a close eye on how players are coming along and try to fix any glaring issues.
Position-by-Position Analysis
In the next few days, Cyclone Alert plans to break down every position group on the 2026 roster. They’ll look at who left, who’s stepping up during winter workouts, and what it all means for the team.
Kicking things off, they’ll start with the running backs—spotlighting the main guys and what kind of impact they could have this year.
Stay Updated
For more coverage and analysis of the Iowa State Cyclones’ 2026 roster, take a look at 247Sports. They keep up with the team’s progress, share player evaluations, and offer insights from the coaching staff as the Cyclones gear up for the season.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
