Iowa State football was initially set to bring in one of the highest-rated recruiting classes of Matt Campbell’s tenure after the Dec. 3 early signing period began.
The Cyclones had 22 players signed, as well as four preferred walk-ons. Now, after Campbell’s departure and the transition to Jimmy Rogers as the new head coach, some of these players are decommitting.
Here is a look at who remains inked and which players are decommitting and reopening their recruitment:
Iowa State football 2026 recruiting class remaining commitments
Iowa State football 2026 recruiting class decommitted players
Mason Bandhauer
The three-star offensive lineman from Fort Collins, Colorado was the Cyclones’ very first commit of the 2026 class. He decommitted and announced that he’s flipping to Penn State on Dec. 23.
Bandhauer is the son of Todd Bandhauer, a former Iowa State football quarterback.
Ethan Beckman
The three-star offensive lineman from Prior Lake, Minnesota, was officially granted his release from his letter of intent on Dec. 12.
Kash Brock
The three-star wide receiver from Chandler, Arizona, was one of several former Colorado State commits who flipped to Iowa State following a coaching change with the Rams. Now, in the wake of Campbell’s departure, Brock has reopened his recruitment. He announced his decision on Dec. 10.
Tyrell Chatman
The three-star safety out of Lincoln, Nebraska, got his release from his letter of intent on Dec. 11. He was the No. 3-ranked prospect in the state of Nebraska for the class of 2026.
On Dec. 14, he officially announced that he will be following Campbell to Penn State as a Nittany Lion commit.
Pete Eglitis
The three-star offensive tackle out of Columbus, Ohio recently helped Bishop Watterson repeat as state champions. The following week, he announced his decommitment on Dec. 10.
Kase Evans
Originally an Oklahoma State commit who flipped to Iowa State after Mike Gundy’s firing, Evans decommitted after the Cyclones’ coaching change. The three-star quarterback from Lexington, Texas, announced his release on Dec. 11.
Three days later, on Dec. 14, he announced that he will be following Campbell to Penn State as a Nittany Lion commit.
Barry Fries
The three-star linebacker out of Elkhorn, Nebraska, got his release from his letter of intent on Dec. 13. Fries was tied for the No. 6-ranked prospect in the state of Nebraska for the class of 2026, according to 247 Sports Composite.
Amarion Jackson
The three-star wide receiver out of Omaha, Nebraska, reopened his commitment on Dec. 10. He was the No. 5-ranked prospect in the state of Nebraska for the class of 2026.
Keian Kaiser
The three-star linebacker from Sidney, Nebraska, announced his decommitment from the Cyclones on Dec. 15. He is the No. 10-ranked prospect in the state of Nebraska for the class of 2026.
Jeremy Lewis Jr.
One of the top JUCO prospects around, the three-star defensive lineman out of St. Louis, Missouri announced that his recruitment is wide open. As of Dec. 16, he is back on the market.
Arley Morrell
The three-star tight end of out of Pratt, Kansas, reopened his recruitment on Dec. 12. Morrell was originally a Colorado State commit, before flipping to the Cyclones in November following a coaching change with the Rams. He is now back on the recruiting trail in search of a new school.
Elijah Reeder
The three-star defensive end from Bayville, New Jersey got his release from his letter of intent on Dec. 16.
Lucas Tenbrock
The No. 1 overall punter for the class of 2026, per Chris Sailer Kicking rankings, Tenbrock reopened his recruitment on Dec. 11. The St. Charles, Illinois, native also chose to follow Campbell and announced his commitment to Penn State on Dec. 14.
Bryson Williams
The three-star safety out of Omaha, Nebraska, announced his decommitment on Dec. 9. He was tied for the No. 6-ranked prospect in the state of Nebraska for the class of 2026. After fielding a few offers upon reopening his recruitment, Williams decided to take his talents to Penn State and follow Campbell, announcing his decision on Dec. 13.
Owen Winder
The three-star offensive tackle from Dexter, Michigan, decommitted from Iowa State and announced his recruitment is wide open on Dec. 13.
Josiah Zayas
A three-star cornerback out of Piscataway, New Jersey, Zayas decommitted from Iowa State and also flipped over to Penn State.
Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at erapay@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @erapay5.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa State football 2026 recruiting class decommitment tracker
Reporting by Eugene Rapay, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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