Becht Bolts from Ames After Campbell’s Exit
Rocco Becht won’t be in Ames when the new coaching staff shows up. The three-year starting quarterback is hitting the transfer portal, according to multiple reports, in what’s shaping up to be a full-blown roster shakeup for the Cyclones.
The timing here isn’t exactly shocking. Matt Campbell just packed his bags for Penn State, and Becht’s following suit. When your head coach bounces, the quarterback usually isn’t far behind. That’s just how college football works now.
Here’s what Iowa State is losing: a guy who went 26-13 as a starter, threw for over 9,000 yards in his career, and racked up 64 touchdown passes. Becht leaves as the third-best passer in program history by yardage and second-best in touchdowns. Those aren’t numbers you just replace with a backup.
The Numbers Tell the Story
Becht’s final season was a mixed bag. He threw for 2,584 yards—decent, but his lowest output in the last three years. The whole team stumbled through a bizarre 8-4 campaign that included a four-game losing streak and a decision to skip their bowl game entirely. Not exactly the storybook ending anyone had in mind.
But zoom out, and you see a dude who completed over 60% of his passes and added 19 rushing touchdowns during his time in Ames. He was a dual-threat guy who could bail you out with his legs when plays broke down. That versatility is going to make him one of the hottest commodities in the portal.
One other detail that matters: Becht just had successful shoulder surgery on his non-throwing side in early December. Full recovery is expected in the coming months, so whoever lands him won’t have to worry about durability heading into next season.
Who’s Going to Land Him?
This is where it gets interesting. Becht is immediately one of the top quarterbacks available, and teams are going to come calling hard. He’s got starting experience in a power conference, wins on his resume, and the arm to run a modern offense. That’s a rare combination in the portal.
Iowa State was supposed to compete for a Big 12 title this year. Instead, they flamed out, lost their coach, and now their quarterback. It’s a brutal sequence of events for a program that had momentum just a few months ago. The new head coach—whoever that ends up being—will have a total rebuild on his hands.
For Becht, this is about finding the right fit. He’s got one more year of eligibility, and he’s going to want a situation where he can win, get exposure, and maybe play his way into an NFL conversation. Expect a long list of suitors and a quick decision once the right opportunity presents itself.
