The hits keep coming for Iowa State. Just hours after news broke that starting quarterback Rocco Becht was hitting the transfer portal, another key piece is now on his way out. This time, it’s defensive back Jontez Williams.
Williams wasn’t just some rotational guy either. He was expected to be a leader in the Cyclones’ secondary next season. After battling through injuries and earning more reps over time, he was shaping up to be a reliable presence at the back end of the defense. Now, he’s out, and Iowa State is down another veteran.
This is what it looks like when a program’s foundation starts shifting. Matt Campbell built Iowa State on continuity and player development. But now that he’s off to Penn State, everything’s in motion. Jimmy Rogers is trying to patch it together on the fly, but it’s clear the guys who were here for the Campbell era aren’t all on board with sticking around for a reset.
Williams leaving right after Becht isn’t some coincidence. These decisions usually come in waves. One guy tests the waters, and the next guy follows. Especially when there’s a coaching change, and guys aren’t totally sold on the new setup yet. That’s not even a knock on Rogers; it’s just the reality of what happens when you flip a program’s leadership and expect players to ride it out.
From a roster standpoint, it stings. Becht was going to be one of the nation’s top quarterbacks going into 2026, and now he’s gone. Williams was one of the most experienced DBs on the roster, and now he’s gone too. That’s two guys with a lot of Big 12 reps under their belts walking out the same door on the same day.
So yeah, Iowa State’s got a problem. And it’s not just about filling holes with new bodies. It’s about selling the locker room on a new vision and keeping the guys you still have from jumping ship. The staff better get that part figured out quickly, or this portal cycle’s going to keep dragging more key players with it.
