Iowa State quarterback Conner Moberly is planning to stick around in Ames, even after Rocco Becht hit the portal and the quarterback room thinned out fast. Moberly didn’t play hardly at all and didn’t record many stats, but the redshirt freshman is staying in the mix heading into 2026.
It’s not some game-changing update, but it’s still worth noting. The kid could’ve left with a handful of other Cyclones who entered the portal after the season. Instead, he’s hanging around and seeing how things play out. That’s not super common these days, especially for guys who just spent an entire year watching from the sideline.
Moberly was a three-star prospect in the 2024 class and came in from Southeast Polk with some good buzz. He’s got size and arm strength, and Iowa State has liked what he brings from a developmental standpoint, but he was always going to be a guy who needed some time before being ready for real reps. Now, with Becht out, there’s at least some uncertainty about what comes next at the position.
That said, Iowa State’s going to have to go get a quarterback. There’s no getting around that. Moberly might be part of the future, but he’s not ready to lead the offense right now. With Becht gone and the depth chart pretty thin behind him, the Cyclones need to bring in someone who can play right away. Whether that’s a veteran Power Four guy or a Group of Five transfer looking to level up, they’ll need to hit the portal hard and figure it out fast.
Still, it’s good to have a guy like Moberly stick around. Even if he’s not in the running for the starting job next fall, having a quarterback who already knows the system and is bought in makes a difference. He’s a young guy who’s already spent a full year in the program, and in today’s world, that’s a small win.
There’s still a lot to figure out in that quarterback room before spring ball rolls around. But for now, Moberly staying gives Iowa State at least one familiar face behind center.
