Iowa State football hits rock bottom after 40+ starters enter transfer portal, what Jimmy Rogers announced about the rebuild shocks Cyclones fans

Iowa State football faces an unprecedented crisis as more than 40 players have entered the transfer portal following the departure of coach Matt Campbell. New head coach Jimmy Rogers announced his support staff hires on December 30, beginning a massive rebuild. The Cyclones lost 16 starters, including star quarterback Rocco Becht, in what insiders call the worst roster exodus in program history.

The Magnitude of Iowa State’s Portal Crisis

Iowa State football has never experienced a roster exodus of this scale. With over 40 players departing for the transfer portal, the Cyclones roster is fundamentally dismantled after the Campbell era. Key contributors like starting quarterback Rocco Becht and running back Carson Hansen announced their departures within days of the coaching change.

The departures reveal a program in turmoil. Losing 16 starters from an 8-4 squad creates an unprecedented challenge for any new coaching staff. Iowa State and Oklahoma State combined for 85 departures in 30 days, setting a concerning precedent for Big 12 football that catches the nation’s attention.

The transfer portal window showed no mercy to the Cyclones. Even players who finished the 2025 season with eight wins opted out, signaling deeper concerns about the program’s direction and culture moving forward.

Key Departures That Define the Exodus

The list of Iowa State departures reads like a who’s who of the offensive roster. Starting quarterback Rocco Becht led the way, followed closely by Brett Eskildsen at wide receiver and Carson Hansen at running back. These weren’t complementary players—they represented the foundation of the Cyclones offense.

On the defensive side, corner Jontez Williams and Jeremiah Cooper headlined the secondary departures. Williams was identified as a top-tier transfer portal cornerback prospect, while Cooper represented elite defensive production. Losing both corners simultaneously crippled Iowa State’s secondary depth.

Wide receiver Chase Sowell became the 41st player to enter the portal on December 30, illustrating the continuous nature of the exodus. Each departure announcement added another layer of concern for the Cyclones fanbase already reeling from Matt Campbell’s abrupt exit to Penn State.

Jimmy Rogers Announces Staff Hires to Begin Rebuilding Efforts

Position	Staff Member	Background
Chief of Staff	Jon Shaeffer	13 years with Jimmy Rogers
Head Coach	Jimmy Rogers	From Washington State, led South Dakota State to FCS National Championship
Support Staff	Additional hires announced	Veteran assistants from Washington State program
Debut Season	Fall 2026	Opener vs Southeast Missouri State on September 5, 2026

Jimmy Rogers made staff announcements on December 30, 2025, signaling a commitment to building confidence within the program. Naming Jon Shaeffer as Chief of Staff brought continuity from their time together at Washington State, where Shaeffer had worked alongside Rogers for 13 consecutive years.

The hiring strategy points to “familiarity and trust,” according to Rogers in press conferences. Bringing experienced assistants from Washington State to Ames shows Rogers intends to establish a strong culture immediately. Iowa State needs leaders who understand Rogers’s philosophy and can help stabilize a fractured roster.

Recruiting and Portal Additions as Lifelines for the Cyclones

Jimmy Rogers is aggressively recruiting to fill Iowa State’s depleted roster. The Cyclones have flipped several recruits from Washington State, including Savion Barthelemy, who recently committed to Iowa State rather than stay with the Cougars. The strategy of leveraging relationships built at Washington State offers a lifeline during the crisis.

When the transfer portal window reopens on January 2, 2026, Rogers and his staff will target experienced portal prospects to quickly rebuild missing positions. The quarterback position sits vacant with Rocco Becht‘s departure, demanding immediate attention. Finding experienced transfer portal options at QB becomes essential for competitive viability in 2026.

Iowa State also hopes to retain key players who haven’t departed yet. Players like tight end Keaton Roskop, wide receiver Dominic Overby, and quarterback Connor Moberly committed to staying with the Cyclones. These commitments provide a foundation, though the roster remains critically thin heading into Rogers’s debut season.

What’s Next for Iowa State Football After the Exodus?

The 2026 season opener against Southeast Missouri State on September 5 gives Jimmy Rogers less than nine months to assemble a competitive roster. The challenge is monumental—rebuilding almost entirely while competing in the Big 12. Rogers arrives with legitimate credentials from winning at South Dakota State and making a bowl game at Washington State, but Iowa State demands immediate results.

The program faces questions about competitive timeline. Can Rogers field a bowl-eligible team in year one, or will Iowa State fans endure a rebuilding season following the worst exodus in school history? The answers will emerge during spring practices and training camp as Rogers and his staff attempt to build team chemistry with mostly new faces at critical positions.

“At his hiring press conference, Rogers announced that his chief of staff would be Jon Shaeffer, who has worked the last 13 years alongside Iowa State’s new head coach.”

— Iowa State Athletics, Official Statement

The Cyclones turned to Rogers because athletic director Jamie Pollard believed in his ability to rebuild programs from foundations up. From South Dakota State‘s national championship to Washington State‘s immediate bowl bid, Rogers has proven he can turn around struggling programs relatively quickly. However, the Iowa State situation presents unique urgency and magnitude.

Sources

• Sports Illustrated – Iowa State transfer portal analysis and departures tracking
• Des Moines Register – Staff hiring announcement and rebuilding coverage
• Cyclone Fanatic – Official program transfer portal tracker