Iowa State QB to transfer, could follow former coach to Penn State

Field Level Media|published: Sat 20th December, 14:43 2025

Nov 8, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht (3) walks off the field after the Cyclones defeat the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Quarterback Rocco Becht will leave Iowa State and enter the transfer portal to "pursue new opportunities for my senior season," he posted on social media Saturday.

"I've had meaningful conversations with Coach Jimmy Rogers, and I'm confident he will elevate this program to new heights," Becht posted in announcing the decision to leave. "This decision was not taken lightly -- it comes from a path of growth, purpose and belief in where my path is leading me."

Becht will immediately become one of the top available starting quarterbacks in the portal, having tallied 26 wins for the Cyclones over his past three seasons at the helm.

His 64 touchdowns passes and 83 total touchdowns at Iowa State rank in the top five among projected returning quarterbacks. Only TCU transfer Josh Hoover has more passing yards than Becht's 9,274 passing yards among that same group of players expected to return to college football.

The redshirt junior with one year of eligibility remaining has also rushed for 499 yards and 19 touchdowns in his career.

Becht's coach at Iowa State, Matt Campbell, took the head coaching position for the Nittany Lions on Dec. 8, making Penn State a likely projected landing spot for Becht, but ESPN reported Saturday Becht is expected to entertain multiple offers.

In 2024, Becht led Iowa State to an 11-3 record, the first time in school history the team had double-digit wins. The Cyclones reached the Big 12 title game that year, losing to Arizona State, but won the Pop-Tarts Bowl 42-41 over Miami.

The Cyclones finished this season at 8-4, with Becht dealing with injuries, including an AC sprain in his throwing shoulder and he underwent labrum surgery on his non-throwing shoulder earlier this month. Becht passed for 2,584 yards and 16 touchdowns against nine interceptions and also rushed for eight scores.

"You embraced me, supported me, and pushed me to become better -- not only as a player, but as a man," Becht posted Saturday. "Iowa State will forever be a part of who I am. Thank for you for every moment, every cheer and every ounce of belief you poured into me. I'll always represent Cyclone Nation with pride."

Iowa State decided not to play in a bowl game after Campbell departed for Penn State.

--Field Level Media