Offense
The quarterback position should belong to Arkansas State transfer Jaylen Raynor. The dual threat signal caller should work well in new Offensive Coordinator Tyler Roehl’s downhill running and play-action passing schemer. Raynor threw for 3,361 yards and 19 touchdowns last season. Oklahoma State transfer Zane Flores will push him.
The running back room returns Aiden Flora, who has more experience as a punt returner, but is dynamic. The additions of Arnold Barnes III (Tulane), Salahadin Allah (Oregon State), and Cameron Pettaway (Bowling Green) are crucial. Pettaway was the 2025 MAC Freshman of the Year.
The wide receiver room returns Dominic Overby but will be very transfer heavy. The additions of Jordyn Bailey (TCU), Omari Hayes (Tulane), Evan Boyd (Michigan State), Cody Jackson (Tarleton State), Carter Pabst (Washington State), and tight ends Christian Greenlaw (Hampton), Tyler Fortenberry (Arkansas State), and Jordan Vyborny (Oklahoma State) are massive.
The offensive line room returns Garret Rutledge and Austin Barrett but will need transfers to emerge. The additions of Trevor Bindel (Washington State), Caden Maas (d2 Sioux Falls), Braden Smith (Tarleton State, FCS All-American), Colin Amick (Montana), Jake Taylor (Oklahoma), DeAndre Carter (Auburn), Gavin Brosious (Michigan State), Gavin Proudfoot (Northern Iowa), Cade Myer (D2 Colorado School of Mines), and Maasai King (Akron) are big.
Defense
The defensive line room returns some experience in Zaimir Hawk and Jace Gibert. The additions of Isaac Terrell (Washington State), Jareb Ramos (Montana), Jack Janikowski (Washington State), Bryson Lamb (Washington State), Donovan Fitzmaurice (Washington State), Caden Crawford (South Dakota), Kaleb Bilal-Jones (Arizona), Malaki Talase (Washington State), and Max Baloun (Washington State) are game changers.
The linebacker room returns some experience in Carson Willich, Beau Goodwin, and Rylan Barnes. The additions of Montreze Smith Jr. (Austin Peay), Sullivan Schlimgen (Washington State), Tristan Exline (D2 Texas-Premian Basin), Malcolm Jones (Jacksonville State), and Willie Breland III (JUCO) are exactly what this unit needs.
The secondary returns experience in Drew Surges and David Coffey. The additions of Jaheim Singletary (Arkansas), Seth Johnson (Montana State), Tyrone Cotton III (Washington State), Micah Harper (Montana), Duhron Goodman (Washington State), Trillion Sorrell (Washington State), Brody Miller (Washington State), Damarius Russell (Washington State), and Keyon Washington (Bowling Green) provide a lift.
Specialists
Kicker Kyle Konrardy is as solid as they come. Iowa State is lucky to have him. The punting duties should belong to Australian Ethan Gurney. The return game will feature two of the best. Cameron Pettaway led the nation last season with 33 yards per kickoff return while at Bowling Green. While Aiden Flora averaged 26.1 yards per punt return with one touchdown.
2026 Schedule
- 9/5 Southeast Missouri State
- 9/12 at Iowa
- 9/19 Bowling Green
- 9/26 Utah
- 10/3 West Virginia
- 10/9 at BYU
- 10/24 at Arizona
- 10/31 Oklahoma State
- 11/7 at Baylor
- 11/14 Cincinnati
- 11/20 at UCF
- 11/38 Kansas State
Final Analysis
Jimmy Rogers takes over and this will be one of the most transformed rosters in the country. Rogers is a good coach and will have this team competing from Day 1. Given time, he will reshape this roster and have the cyclones competing for Big 12 Titles once again.
