Iowa State just picked up a sneaky-good weapon out of the MAC, landing Bowling Green transfer Cameron Pettaway. The redshirt freshman was named MAC Freshman of the Year after a breakout 2025 season where he posted 365 rushing yards, three touchdowns, and over 900 all-purpose yards. He’s dynamic with the ball in his hands and adds some much-needed juice to Iowa State’s backfield and return game.
Pettaway’s role at Bowling Green kept growing as the year went on, and by the end of the season, he was one of the more electric players in the conference. He’s not a bruiser between the tackles, but he doesn’t have to be. His value comes in space, where he can make guys miss and turn average plays into chunk gains. He’s shifty, fast, and has a good feel for when to bounce things outside or cut it back inside.
Where Pettaway really stands out, though, is on special teams. He’s a legit threat in the return game. He forced teams to rethink how they kicked it, and he’s the type of player who can flip a field or even take one to the house. That’s an area where Iowa State has needed a lift, and Pettaway brings exactly that.
This isn’t a flashy five-star grab, but it’s a smart portal move for James Rogers and his staff. Pettaway still has plenty of eligibility left, and he’s already shown he can produce at the college level. He’s been through a full season, handled the physical toll, and made enough plays to earn conference honors.
For Iowa State, this gives them a versatile option to mix in with what they already have. Pettaway can line up in different spots, catch passes out of the backfield, and give them a reliable kick returner. He’s not coming in to carry the entire offense, but he doesn’t need to. He just needs to keep being the playmaker he was at Bowling Green, and if he does, he’ll carve out a real role in Ames.
