⚡ CFB Dashboard

- Iowa State used simultaneous double-rep practice groups throughout the offseason to accelerate installation of Jimmy Rogers' new culture and the schemes of coordinators Tyler Roehl and Jesse Bobbit. - Jaylen Raynor is Iowa State's established starting quarterback and should be a significant part of the designed run game, while deep-ball accuracy remains his main preseason question. - Ryver Peppers will miss the earliest part of the season, leaving speed backs Aiden Flora and Cameron Pettaway atop the depth chart with Arnold Barnes III handling many conversion and goal-line situations. - Iowa State's top receiving group separated as Cody Jackson, Evan Boyd, Dominic Overby, Carter Pabst and Omari Hayes, with Jackson and Boyd expected to lead the room and freshman Jamal Polite Jr. closest to an early role. - Iowa State expects Caden Crawford, Max Baloun, Bryson Lamb and Isaac Terrell to form its opening defensive front, while improved corner depth allows Seth Johnson to shift between outside corner and nickel.

- Jaylen Raynor is Iowa State's starting quarterback, while Connor Moberly appears to have moved ahead of Zane Flores for the first backup opportunity after progressing in Tyler Roehl's offense through spring and fall camp. - Aiden Flora and Cameron Pettaway are Iowa State's top two running backs and are expected to add speed, burst and receiving value, with Arnold Barnes III projected for between-the-tackles and conversion-down work. - Iowa State's first offensive line lists Jake Taylor at left tackle, Caden Maas at left guard, first-time center Braden Smith, Trevor Bindel or Austin Barrett at right guard, and Maasai King at right tackle. - Isaac Terrell leads Iowa State's edge group after recording more than seven sacks at Washington State, while Caden Crawford and Malaki Ta'ase are both expected to play heavily on the opposite side. - David Coffey and Seth Johnson top Iowa State's cornerback depth chart, with Johnson also capable of shifting to nickel and Jaheim Singletary or Keyon Washington competing behind him.

- Iowa State replaced its entire coaching staff and more than 50 players after Matt Campbell left, with over 15 starters transferring and Jimmy Rogers importing more than 40 transfers. - Arkansas State transfer Jaylen Raynor becomes Iowa State's new quarterback after producing more than 3,360 passing yards and 25 total touchdowns in 2025, though consecutive double-digit-interception seasons create clear turnover risk. - MAC Freshman of the Year Cameron Pettaway was added to support the run game, while Iowa State's offensive line and receiving corps will both depend heavily on transfers replacing lost production. - Iowa State also rebuilt its defense through the portal, including several Washington State additions, but enters camp without many proven Power Four contributors. - Utah retained more roster and staff continuity than Iowa State and is expected to be favored when the Utes visit the Cyclones for their Big 12 opener.

- Iowa State's preferred safety pairing appears to be Braden Ales, health permitting, alongside Michael Harper, whose prior experience and production give him an edge for the other starting job. - Ales' availability remains the key variable because the hosts would have placed him at the top of the position group if fully healthy. - Duran Goodman and Demarius Russell are expected to rotate behind the starters, with Goodman drawing positive preseason reviews and projecting as a useful depth piece.

- Defense: I love the double reps.

- Cyclone Alert publisher Alec Busse offers thoughts on the Iowa State defense position-by-position as he continues to work through his position primer series at the Cyclone Alert website.