Iowa State football head coach Jimmy Rogers had a lot to say at the 2026 Monster Energy Big 12 Football Media Days about his expectations for the team this year, along with why Arkansas State transfer Jaylen Raynor is the answer at quarterback.
Team Expectations
In a USA Today poll, Iowa State was picked to finish last out of all 16 teams in the Big 12 this year, something Rogers says he’ll use as motivation. “I’m very confident in the players that we’ve been able to bring in, the team that we’ve assembled, that we will be extremely competitive this fall, and I look forward to the challenge of competing in one of the best conferences in the country,” Rogers said.
Iowa State brought in a large number of new players to their roster; one of those players is starting quarterback Jaylen Raynor, a senior from Arkansas State who has been a starter since his true freshman season in college. Throughout the spring, Raynor appeared to be the starter. Rogers finally confirmed that Wednesday to the media.
“People naturally gravitate to him. In a roster of what is 84 new players, but 125 new to him, the ability to be one week into a program and learn every player’s name and create a nickname for them, and those players to naturally gravitate towards his spirit and who he is and what he’s about has been extremely impactful, said Rogers.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
