Can The Cyclones Blow Rocco Becht To New York?

By Bill Carroll

The Iowa State Cyclones have in Matt Campbell a head coach whose résumé ensures he will be on the short-list of almost every FBS team in need of a leader. Rocco Becht is the on-field leader of a team that is now 5-2, sixth in the Big 12. Their quarterback, Rocco Becht, has shown reliable production: last season, he completed 59.4 % of his passes (271/456) for 3,505 yards, 25 TDs, and 9 INTs; he also ran 98 times for 318 yards and 8 rushing TDs. In 2025, he is connecting on 63.2% of his nine passing yards, and three interceptions. Via the ground, he has seven rushing touchdowns, 91 net rushing yards on 54 carries.

Iowa State Cyclones – Top 5 Prospects

Can The Cyclones Blow Rocco Becht To New York? — Picture Via Cyclones Athletics

Domonique Orange – Defensive Tackle (Jr.)
- Traits: Massive (6’4”, 325 lbs), explosive first step, athletic for size; upside as a disruptive interior defender. In 2025, the man known as “Big Citrus” had a bit of a down 2025, with 12 tackles, 7 of them solo, one hurry, and 5 assists. In 2024, he rang up 4 ¹/₂ TFLs, one of which was a sack, 13 solo stops, helping on 11 more, and a PBU.
- Projected Draft Range: Mid-round (3–5), could break out with refined technique.
- Carson Hansen – Running Back (Jr.)
  - Traits: Powerful, productive back (5.0 yards per carry, 13 TDs in 2024), pass-catching ability with stout build (6’1 ½” 218). In 2025, he rushed for 348 yards on 79 carries, 88 receiving yards on 11 catches,
  - Projected Draft Range: Mid-to-late rounds (4–6), three-down RB potential.
Abu Sama III-Running Back (Jr.)
Photo Via Iowa State Athletics
Traits: Explosive slasher with plus vision and burst. As of now, he is leading the team in rushing with 481 on 92 rushes, four TDs, and 5 catches for 19 yards. He reminds me of Donald Brown.
Benjamin Brahmer – Tight End (Jr.)
- Traits: Huge frame (6’7”), athletic mismatch provider, red-zone and intermediate threat. In 2025, he had 24 catches for 242 yards.
- Projected Draft Range: Mid-to-late rounds (4–6), high upside as developmental TE.
Dylan Barrett – Offensive Guard (Sr.)
- Traits: Mauler of the interior line (330 lbs), consistent run-blocker.
- Projected Draft Range: Late round to UDFA. I see him as a potential depth OL in the NFL.

? Iowa State Offensive Scheme (2025)

Coordinator: Taylor Mouser (2nd year)
Scheme Type: Spread Offense
Core Traits:

Balanced attack: Mix of run and pass, with emphasis on controlling the clock and red zone efficiency.
Multiple formations: Uses tight ends heavily, with motion and play-action to create mismatches.
Quarterback-centric: The offense leans on Rocco Becht’s decision-making and mobility to extend plays and lead game-winning drives.

Key Personnel:

RBs: Carson Hansen (power) and Abu Sama III (speed) are a versatile backfield.
WRs: New additions like Xavier Townsend (UCF) and Chase Sowell (ECU) provide explosiveness.
TEs: Benjamin Brahmer and Gabe Burkle are reliable targets, especially in short-yardage and red zone.
OL: Experienced but reconfigured; returning starters include the immense right tackle, Tyler Miller, and Brendan Black.

? Rocco Becht: Strengths & Weaknesses

✅ Strengths

Leadership & Poise
- Becht leads by example on and off the field.
- He has had many clutch performances: 5 game-winning drives in 2024.
- Coaches rave about his humility and mental toughness.
Dual-Threat Ability
- 7 rushing TDs in 2025 already; 8 in 2024.
- Can extend plays with legs and execute designed QB runs. [ourlads.com]
Efficient Passing
- Career completion rate: ~61%
- 2025: 1,622 yards, 9 TDs, 3 INTs, 142.8 passer rating.
- Strong in short-to-intermediate throws and play-action setups.
Situational Awareness
- Excels in late-game scenarios and red zone execution.
- Reads defenses well and adjusts protections.
Intangibles
- Academic All-Big 12, community leader, and NIL ambassador.
- Viewed as an “on-field coach” by staff.

❌ Weaknesses

Deep Ball Consistency
- Completion % drops against Top 25 teams (50%) and in road games.
- Needs more accuracy and timing on vertical throws.
Turnover Risk Under Pressure
- Becht has thrown costly interceptions in tight games (e.g., vs. Colorado).
- He occasionally holds the ball, leading to sacks or fumbles.
Limited Physical Traits
- At 6’1″, 209 lbs, his size is not prototypical NFL QB size.
- He has adequate arm strength and some speed, but Becht compensates with his IQ and toughness.
Receiver Chemistry
- Adjusting to new WRs after losing top targets Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins to the NFL.
- Timing and trust with new receivers are still developing.

? Summary

Rocco Becht is a high-IQ, dual-threat quarterback. He is a great fit for Iowa State’s spread system. He’s clutch, a proven leader, and is solid with regard to statistical production. He’s not a special athlete, but his mental toughness, accuracy, and leadership make him one of the top QBs in the Big 12. Continued development in deep passing and chemistry with new receivers will be key to his and Iowa State’s success in the second half of the season.

? Mental Processing & Defensive Reads

Strengths:

Quick processor: Becht excels in RPO (run-pass option) concepts, manipulating defenders with mesh fakes and firing into vacated zones quickly.
Accountability & awareness: He openly takes responsibility for mistakes and shows a deep understanding of play design and execution. For example, he recognized a missed RPO read against Colorado and explained the correct decision post-game.
Situational intelligence: Leads game-winning drives with poise, often making the right read under pressure.

Areas for Growth:

Aggressive decision-making: Becht can force throws into tight windows, risk turnover.
Processing speed under duress: An area of improvement is his discretion when blitzed or facing disguised coverage. At times, he can make a bad play worse.

? Footwork

Strengths:

Mobile and balanced: Becht is comfortable throwing on the run with exceptional balance when escaping the pocket.
Functional athlete: He executes designed QB runs and scrambles effectively, contributing 7 rushing TDs in 2025.

Areas for Growth:

Pocket mechanics: Occasionally drifts or resets late, affecting timing on intermediate throws.
Consistency: If Rocco Becht maintains tighter footwork on deep drops and play-action setups, his accuracy and effectiveness downfield would improve.

? Arm Strength

Strengths:

Quick release: Compact and efficient throwing motion allows him to get the ball out fast, ideal for timing routes and screens.
Good velocity on short/intermediate throws: Rocco Becht is strong in rhythm passing and perimeter concepts.

Areas for Growth:

Deep ball velocity: Rocco Becht shows a drop in firmness and zip on deep vertical throws, limiting Iowa State’s ability to stretch the field consistently.
Touch on long throws: Rocco Becht would benefit from refinement on trajectory and placement beyond 30 yards.

? Mental Toughness & Leadership

Strengths:

Elite maturity: He is a coach’s son; his very supportive family has stressed humility, emotional control, and leadership in adversity. His post-game reflections are candid and team-focused.
Locker room leader: Teammates and coaches praise his command and confidence in high-pressure moments.
Community impact: Uses his NIL platform for service, reinforcing his role as a program ambassador.

? Summary of Strengths & Weaknesses

✅ Strengths

Quick processor in RPO and short-game concepts
Efficient release and mechanics
Toughness and poise under pressure
Leadership and accountability
Mobility and red zone effectiveness

❌ Weaknesses

Inconsistent deep ball velocity and accuracy
Occasional forced throws into coverage
Needs refinement in pocket footwork
Durability concerns due to physical play style

Log on to Travelocity of No?

To be a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate, Rocco Becht needs a signature win, preferably at night with as many voters watching as possible. The problem is that the last two ranked teams on the schedule are the 11th-ranked BYU Cougars, this Saturday, and Arizona State, November 1st, at Jack Trice Stadium, [time not determined], but if those are both dramatic wins and Becht plays at a star level, he has an outside chance to be invited to New York. Perhaps in 2026, he will have a better chance to be a finalist or a winner.

Tags: Iowa State Cyclones Football Rocco Becht

Can The Cyclones Blow Rocco Becht To New York?