Iowa State Cyclones’ Update (Bye Week #2)

Larkdight Studios Iowa State Cyclones' Program Rebuild (Season 1) July 14, 2025 5:00PM CST

With the Iowa State Cyclones entering their second bye week, still undefeated, now is a perfect time to look at where they stand as a program before heading into the meaty end of their regular season schedule.

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OVERVIEW

Cyclones’ HC Axel Armani continues to lead them through the schedule on a run at the College Football Playoffs. There was a scare in Week 6 against the Baylor Bears, but the Cyclones were able to plant their feet and trust each other to get the win. This team is full of life and energy, and they believe in each other. It is a little early to project what this team can become, but the sky is the limit under HC Armani it seems.

Since the last update, there hasn’t been a whole lot of news in the recruitment trail. It’s quite odd for an undefeated program in the top ten to struggle in recruiting, but it is what it is. You can only control what you can control. The Cyclones did land one commitment though, from the third best WR in the country. Five-star recruit WR Josh Karapateas has committed to play for the Cyclones next season and can’t wait to jump right into this high-flying air-raid offense. He’ll get the start next season and be highly featured as guys like senior WR Jayden Higgins and senior WR Daniel Jackson will be graduating then pursuing the NFL. Let’s just give HC Armani some more time to get his feet wet with recruiting. It doesn’t always just happen overnight, but when it clicks it seems to really click for these coaches.

For now, the Cyclones prep for their final five games. We will check back in before the Big 12 Championship game.

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RECORD UPDATE

Week 1 vs Pitt Panthers W 42-17 Watch

Week 2 vs Northern Illinois Huskies W 41-17 Watch

Week 3 @ Iowa Hawkeyes W 35-20 Watch

Week 5 @ Houston Cougars W 50-0 Watch

Week 6 vs Baylor Bears W 24-17 Watch

Week 7 @ West Virginia Mountaineers W 40-25 Watch

Week 8 vs UCF Knights W 45-7 Watch

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OVERVIEW

QB Rocco Becht (So): 144/182 (79%), 2084 YDS, 25 TD, 8 INT, FUM, 214.2 QBR

RB Jaylon Jackson (Sr): 89 CAR, 597 YDS, 6.7 AVG, 11 TD, 8 BTK

WR Jayden Higgins (Sr): 44 REC, 783 YDS, 5 TD

WR Daniel Jackson (Sr): 26 REC, 476 YDS, 7 TD, FUM

ED Kenard Snyder (Jr): 25 TKL, 15 TFL, 8.5 SACKS

ED Myles Mendeszoon (Jr): 16 TKL, 8 TFL, 6 SACKS

S Malik Verdon (Jr): 21 TKL, 6 TFL, SACK, INT

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WEEKLY AWARDS

• National OPoTW (Week 3 @ Iowa) – RB Jaylon Jackson (Sr)

• Big 12 OPoTW (Week 3 @ Iowa) – RB Jaylon Jackson (Sr)

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RECRUITING

Verbal Commitments

• WR Josh Karapateas (5*) (#22) (#3 WR) (MO)

  
  

Visits Scheduled

• Currently no recruit visits have been officially scheduled.