Iowa State Cyclones Football Depth Chart

Quarterback

Hunter Dekkers is the incumbent starter and should be considered the favorite to win the job again in 2023. The redshirt sophomore completed 64.8% of his passes for 3,199 yards with 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions last season. He also rushed for 216 yards and three touchdowns. Dekkers has a strong arm and good mobility, and he should be even better in Year 2 under head coach Matt Campbell.

Aidan Bouman is the backup quarterback and has started 10 games in his career. The redshirt junior is a solid passer with good accuracy and touch. He also has some experience running the ball and could be used in a dual-threat role if needed.

Deontae Craig is a redshirt freshman who is expected to compete for the backup job in 2023. The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder has a strong arm and good athleticism. He is still raw, but he has a lot of potential.

Running Back

Jirehl Brock is the leading returning rusher for the Cyclones in 2023. The redshirt junior rushed for 673 yards and eight touchdowns on 129 carries last season. He is a physical runner with good speed and agility.

Tyler Booker is a redshirt sophomore who is expected to compete for playing time at running back in 2023. The 5-foot-11, 220-pounder is a powerful runner with good balance and vision.

Chris Street is a redshirt freshman who could see some playing time at running back in 2023. The 5-foot-10, 185-pounder is a quick and elusive runner with good hands.

Wide Receiver

Xavier Hutchinson is the leading receiver for the Cyclones in 2023. The redshirt senior caught 58 passes for 807 yards and eight touchdowns last season. He is a big and physical receiver with good hands and route running skills.

Jaylin Noel is a redshirt sophomore who is expected to start opposite Hutchinson at wide receiver in 2023. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder caught 29 passes for 444 yards and four touchdowns last season. He is a speedy and athletic receiver with good hands and route running skills.

Greg Gaines is a redshirt freshman who could see some playing time at wide receiver in 2023. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder is a quick and elusive receiver with good hands.

Tight End

Charlie Kolar is the leading tight end for the Cyclones in 2023. The redshirt senior caught 44 passes for 548 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He is a big and physical tight end with good hands and route running skills.

Tyler Stephens is a redshirt sophomore who is expected to compete for playing time at tight end in 2023. The 6-foot-5, 225-pounder is a good blocker with good hands and route running skills.

Aidan Bitter is a redshirt freshman who could see some playing time at tight end in 2023. The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder is a physical tight end with good hands and route running skills.

Offensive Line

The Cyclones have a lot of experience on the offensive line in 2023. Four of the five starters from last season are back, including Trevor Downing, Darrell Wright, Jake Remsburg, and Robert Hudson.

Downing is a redshirt senior who started all 12 games at left tackle last season. He is a big and physical tackle with good strength and athleticism.

Wright is a redshirt junior who started all 12 games at left guard last season. He is a strong and physical guard with good athleticism.

Remsburg is a redshirt senior who started all 12 games at center last season. He is a smart and experienced center with good strength and athleticism.

Hudson is a redshirt junior who started all 12 games at right guard last season. He is a strong and athletic guard with good strength and athleticism.

Jake Campbell is a redshirt senior who started all 12 games at right tackle last season. He is a big and physical tackle with good strength and athleticism.

Defensive Line

The Cyclones have a lot of experience on the defensive line in 2023. Four of the five starters from last season are back, including Will McDonald IV, Matt Bernstein, J.R. Singleton, and Zach Petersen.

McDonald is a redshirt junior who started all 12 games at defensive end last season. He is a 6-foot-7, 265-pound freak with good speed, strength, and athleticism. McDonald is one of the best pass rushers in the country and should be in the mix for All-American honors in 2023.

Bernstein is a redshirt senior who started all 12 games at defensive tackle last season. He is a 6-foot-2, 295-pound nose tackle with good strength and athleticism. Bernstein is a good run stopper and can also generate some pressure on the quarterback.

Singleton is a redshirt junior who started all 12 games at defensive end last season. He is a 6-foot-6, 255-pound defensive end with good strength, speed, and athleticism. Singleton is a good pass rusher and can also set the edge against the run.

Petersen is a redshirt senior who started all 12 games at defensive tackle last season. He is a 6-foot-2, 285-pound defensive tackle with good strength and athleticism. Petersen is a good run stopper and can also generate some pressure on the quarterback.