Iowa State’s redshirt junior quarterback Rocco Becht has announced his intention to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, a move confirmed by On3’s Brett McMurphy and Pete Nakos. Becht has been a pivotal player for the Cyclones over the past three seasons, boasting a commendable 26-13 record as the starting quarterback.
Throughout his tenure at Iowa State, Becht has demonstrated impressive statistics, passing for over 3,000 yards in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons, although he finished the most recent season with 2,584 passing yards. Over his four years at the program, he has accumulated 9,274 passing yards, becoming the third highest in Iowa State history, and tossed 64 touchdowns, ranking second all-time for the Cyclones. Additionally, Becht recorded 499 rushing yards and scored 19 touchdowns on the ground.
His decision to leave follows head coach Matt Campbell’s move to Penn State, which has resulted in speculation around the future direction of the program. Reflecting on the recent season, Becht acknowledged the challenges faced, noting, “We’re gonna look back at this season, which had a lot of lows and a lot of highs… I’m super proud of this team because it’s really hard to go through a four-game losing streak and come back and win four games in a row.”
Despite entering the season as a potential contender in the Big 12, the Cyclones concluded with an 8-4 record, notable for a mid-season four-game losing streak followed by a three-game winning finish. Iowa State opted out of a bowl game, marking only the second time in nine years that they will not participate in postseason play.
Becht’s potential in the Transfer Portal is significant, especially as he recently underwent successful labrum surgery on his non-throwing shoulder on December 11. Reports indicate he is expected to make a full recovery in the coming months, hinting at his readiness to take on new challenges.
Fans and analysts alike will be keen to follow Becht’s journey as he seeks his next opportunity, while Iowa State prepares for a new chapter post-Campbell. For those interested in tracking player movements in college football, resources like the On3 Transfer Portal Instagram and Twitter accounts provide valuable updates.