Updates on the Iowa State transfer portal: Jimmy Rogers ushers in a new era The transfer portal didn’t take long to remind everyone that the offseason for college football can be just as exciting as fall Saturdays.
That reality struck Iowa State right away when head coach Jimmy Rogers took office in Ames with the portal open and decisions being made quickly on both sides of the ledger. There is movement in and out, and many well-known names are involved; some are going somewhere else, while others have decided to commit their final season of eligibility to Rogers’ plans for the Cyclones.
Gabe Burkle, a former standout from Cedar Rapids Prairie, announced his commitment to Penn State on social media on Sunday, making it one of the most significant departures. Burkle, a 6-foot-6, 255-pound tight end, is the most recent former Cyclone to sign with the Nittany Lions after reuniting with former Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell in Happy Valley. Although brief, Burkle’s tenure at Iowa State was fruitful.
Before his season ended abruptly in 2025, he established himself as a dependable target in the passing game by catching 26 passes for 302 yards and a touchdown. He was sidelined for the rest of the season due to an injury he suffered during Iowa State’s tough 20-17 road victory at TCU in early November, which put an end to what seemed to be a late-year surge.
The Penn State staff was obviously impressed by Burkle’s potential despite the setback. He is currently a part of the expanding Ames to State College pipeline. Burkle joins safety Marcus Neal, former Cyclone tight end Ben Brahmer, and other players who have already committed to Penn State since Campbell’s arrival.
It serves as a reminder of how connections formed over many years of hiring and training continue to influence the current transfer environment. Iowa State has not been idle in the portal, despite the fact that departures always hurt. In actuality, Rogers and his team haven’t spent much time attending to important needs, especially on the offensive end of the ball.
Two important additions were confirmed late Saturday and early Sunday. Both former Akron offensive tackle Maasai King and former Arkansas State quarterback Jaylen Raynor told CBS Sports that they plan to transfer to Iowa State, providing the Cyclones with immediate assistance at two critical positions.
Fans of the Cyclones are already familiar with Raynor. The former Red Wolves quarterback demonstrated his athleticism and competitiveness by playing Iowa State in each of the previous two seasons. Raynor scored an incredible 67 touchdowns in his three seasons at Arkansas State, 15 on the ground and 52 through the air. But there were risks associated with that production. Additionally, he threw 28 interceptions in his career, which highlights both his aggressive style of play and the fine line Iowa State’s staff will try to manage.
However, quarterbacks with Raynor’s level of experience are rare in the portal, particularly those who are still eligible for a season. Rogers believes that adding a seasoned signal-caller who has firsthand experience with Big 12 defenses will provide the team with instant stability during a period of transition. Iowa State made several upfront moves to protect that quarterback, which was another obvious priority. Along with King, former Northern Iowa offensive tackle Gavin Proudfoot recently committed to the Cyclones.
Proudfoot offers a wealth of experience and size. The 6-foot-7, 300-pound lineman contributes significant depth and competition along the offensive line and has one season left in his eligibility. He projects as a player who can contribute immediately in a league where line play frequently decides close games, and his UNI background should facilitate the transition to Ames both geographically and culturally.
King, on the other hand, comes from Akron with the physical profile Iowa State has been looking for in the trenches as well as experience against MAC opponents. King and Proudfoot together demonstrate Rogers’ emphasis on building from the inside out and safeguarding the offense while it adjusts to new leadership.
Naturally, the portal is more than just an offensive tool. Images from the 2025 season, such as defensive back David Coffey breaking up a pass in the end zone against Kansas while celebrating with Drew Surges and Carson Van Dinter, serve as reminders of the effort and energy the Cyclones want to maintain on that side of the ball. Iowa State’s defensive identity is still fundamental to the program.
In his first offseason, Rogers must walk a tightrope between modernizing the offense and maintaining a defensive edge. Despite its unpredictability, the portal presents both opportunity and urgency. There are expectations with every addition. Every departure necessitates modifications.
Fans of Iowa State feel as though they are on the verge of something new. Yes, there is uncertainty, but there is also hope. By focusing on players with experience, adaptability, and a desire to make their final season matter, Rogers is making his mark on the roster piece by piece. Since the transfer portal window is still in its infancy, additional movement is practically certain. However, preliminary results indicate Iowa State isn’t holding out. Rather, one pledge, one choice, and one audacious action at a time, the Cyclones are actively molding their future.
