Willie Breland III’s journey to the Iowa State football field began far from Ames, in the small town of Wiggins, Mississippi. As a sophomore at Stone High School, Breland walked away from the sport, citing a grueling “snake drill” that left him physically and mentally exhausted. He turned to baseball, hoping a new arena would suit his athletic talents.

From baseball back to football

Baseball, however, proved challenging in its own way. “You get in slumps. It’s a mental thing,” Breland said, noting that football offered a more immediate, physical outlet. By his junior year, he returned to the gridiron, determined to give the sport another chance.

Junior college opportunity

His renewed effort caught the attention of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, where he spent two seasons honing his skills. “My coach was preaching to me, ‘Just trust the process,'” Breland recalled. After a solid sophomore campaign, head coach Jimmy Rogers and his staff reached out with an invitation to Washington State University.

Coaching changes lead to Iowa State

Before Breland could join the Cougars, Rogers accepted the head‑coaching position at Iowa State, creating uncertainty for the young linebacker. Undeterred, Breland consulted with Washington State assistant coach Jesse Bobbit, who encouraged him to stay the course. “I didn’t know if I was going to stay down south, but I liked the coaching staff, so I wanted to follow them,” Breland explained.

Two weeks later, the call came: an offer to join the Cyclones. “Best thing that happened to me,” Breland said, describing the move as a turning point. Coach Rogers praised his new recruit, noting, “Willie’s been great. He is a team‑first guy, low ego, willing to work and be the best he can be.”

Early contributions at the Division I level

In his first four games as a Cyclone starter, Breland has already logged 11 tackles, seven of them solo, and defended a pass. He attributes his rapid adjustment to the same mindset that helped him persevere through earlier setbacks. “I always had the mindset of being here, but I never pictured it. I didn’t know what it was like, so it’s all new to me. I would just say, ‘Trust the process, you got it,'” he said.

Looking ahead

Iowa State will host West Virginia on Saturday at 11 a.m., giving Breland another chance to showcase his growth on a national stage. Fans and teammates alike are eager to see how his tenacity and work ethic will continue to shape the Cyclones’ defense this season.

Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.