Latest news with #IowaState
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
2026 DB Josiah Zayas Commits to Iowa State
This morning, Iowa State added another DB to its 2026 class in the form of Josiah Zayas from St. Thomas Aquinas in Edison, NJ. Zayas plays both ways at defensive back and wide receiver in high school, but will play in the defensive backfield for Iowa State. Though he currently is unranked by 247 Sports, he does boast other offers from P4 programs in Syracuse, Wake Forest, and Wisconsin along with a smattering of G5 offers. Advertisement Check out his highlights: More from
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Texans rookie WR Jayden Higgins expected to reach bold claim in Year 1
How good will Houston Texans rookie wide receiver Jayden Higgins be in his rookie season? Well, one publication has a bold take on a potential breakout year. The Athletic's Mike Jones recently released his list of "breakout players" for each team heading into training camp. For the Texans, options are limited since both cornerback Kamari Lassiter and defensive back Calen Bullock become fixtures of the secondary last season during their rookie campaigns. Since Higgins is still finding his footing in the pros, he's an option that's poised to perhaps exceed expectaions as the second-best weapon behind Pro Bowler Nico Collins. "With their wide receiver unit hit hard by injury (Tank Dell) and free agency (Stefon Diggs), the Texans set out this offseason to find young quarterback C.J. Stroud some impactful playmakers," Jones wrote. "Higgins, a second-round pick this year out of Iowa State, certainly seems capable of fitting the bill. The 6-foot-4, 214-pound receiver out of Iowa State brings size, athleticism and speed. Lining up along with Nico Collins and new veteran addition Christian Kirk, Higgins should receive plenty of opportunities to help the Texans. He can win 50-50 balls, gets good separation and should make a name for himself in Houston this season." Higgins, who made history earlier this offseason as the first second-round pick in league history to receive a four-year, fully guaranteed contract worth $11.7 million, is expected to step into a substantial role after the Texans selected him 34th overall in April. The 6-foot-4 Miami native was arguably college football's most consistent weapon over his two seasons in Ames. In 2023 as Cyclones' top weapon, he caught 53 passes for 983 yards and six touchdowns. Last year, while helping Iowa State secure its first-ever 11-win season, Higgins collected 87 receptions for 1,183 yards and nine touchdowns. He also has been praised for having exceptional speed and sure-fire hands, dropping just one pass in two seasons while playing in the Big 12. As a physical and athletic target, Higgins should pair well next to Collins as a promising addition on the outside for Nick Caley's offense. Given his speed and catch radius, Collins should provide more versatility in this receiving corps to help get C.J. Stroud back on track in a prove-it year ahead of contract negotiations. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio were high on Higgins coming out of college. Caley, who helped the Los Angeles Rams' passing attack finish top five last season, also has seen the flashes. Expect him to start Week 1 opposite Collins on the outside and newcomer Christian Kirk in the slot. The Texans and Higgins return to the Methodist Training Center for the start of training camp next Wednesday.
USA Today
17-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Iowa football 2025 schedule preview: Week 2 vs Iowa State
The CyHawk game. The biggest sports game in the state of Iowa every year. And this year's matchup looks primed to deliver another classic game. Welcome back to my Iowa football schedule preview series, were we preview every single opponent on the Hawkeyes 2025 schedule. Last time out, we discussed the Week 1 matchup against Albany. And today, it's on to the Iowa State Cyclones, who the Hawks will face in Week 2. The Cyclones are riding a lot of momentum under head coach Matt Campbell, who's building a good program up in Ames. Let's take a closer look at Iowa State entering the 2025 season. Week 2: Iowa football vs. Iowa State Iowa will travel to Jack Trice stadium to play the Cyclones on September 6, with kick-off scheduled for 11 a.m. Iowa State is coming off an impressive 11-3 record in 2024, including a win over Miami in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. They made the Big Twelve Championship game, losing 45-19 to Arizona State. Those 11 wins are the most in a single season in school history for the Cyclones, a testament to the job Matt Campbell has done there. Campbell took the Iowa State job in November of 2015 after Paul Rhoades was fired. He's 64-51 overall and 45-36 in conference play across his nine seasons in charge. He has three bowl wins and Iowa State has finished in the top 25 twice during his tenure. And he's got the players this season to make another Big Twelve championship run. Who are some of the key returners for Iowa State? Who are some exciting newcomers for the Cyclones? History between the Hawkeyes and Cyclones Unlike their week one opponent, Iowa has plenty of experience with Iowa State over the years. In their last meeting in 2024, the Cyclones shocked Iowa in Iowa City 20-19 on a game-winning field goal. The last time these two teams played in Ames resulted in a 20-13 win for the Hawkeyes. Overall, Iowa leads the series 47-24, but the Cyclones have won two of the past three matchups and will look to defend home turf in the 2025 installment of the greatest rivalry in the state of Iowa. Buckle in folks, this will be the first of many tests for Iowa in 2025. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Zach on X: @zach_hiney
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Iowa State football: Matt Campbell on under-discussed players that may break out in 2025
Iowa State football coach Matt Campbell discussed some under-the-radar and under-discussed players that can potentially shine for the Cyclones.
USA Today
16-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
5 position battles to watch for at Chargers training camp
The Chargers' veterans report to training camp on Thursday, marking the start of their preseason program early due to their participation in the Hall of Fame Game on July 31. While most of the roster is set, a few key battles on the roster bubble will begin to play out with the entire 90-man team on the field. Here are a few battles on the back end of the roster to watch. RB4: Hassan Haskins, Jaret Patterson, Raheim Sanders With Najee Harris set to miss some of camp with a "superficial" eye injury suffered over the 4th of July weekend, the running backs at the back end of the roster may get more of an opportunity to prove themselves. First-rounder Omarion Hampton will be the unquestioned starter with Harris out, which may lessen the reps the Chargers give the rookie in preseason action. With 2024 sixth-rounder Kimani Vidal expected to play a role as well, the final spot will be decided by special teams upside. Haskins returned kickoffs for the Chargers last season, Patterson mainly was on the practice squad, and Sanders is one of the more high-profile UDFAs on the squad. TE4: Tucker Fisk, Stevo Klotz Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers coaching staff have raved about Klotz, a UDFA from Iowa State who Los Angeles thinks will start to shine when the pads come on. It's difficult to find a path to a roster spot for Klotz, however, unless he can unseat Fisk or prove he's a better fullback than two-way player Scott Matlock. Fisk has been a fringe roster player for most of his NFL career, but his blocking ability opens up a lot of what Greg Roman wants to do on offense. DL: Naquan Jones, Scott Matlock Speaking of Matlock, there's no guarantee that the Boise State alum will crack the rotation on the defensive line, either. LA added Da'Shawn Hand, Jamaree Caldwell, and Jones last season to a group that already included Otito Ogbonnia, Teair Tart, and Justin Eboigbe. If the competition at fullback is close and Jones is repping ahead of Matlock, his utility as a two-way player may not end up mattering. CB6: Ja'Sir Taylor, Trikweze Bridges The Chargers are deep at corner, with Donte Jackson, Tarheeb Still, Cam Hart, Benjamin St-Juste, and Deane Leonard set to form a solid first five. Taylor has started on and off at nickel, but Still and Derwin James excelled in that role last season, and special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken has been overhauling the core special teams unit that Taylor once belonged to. Bridges, a seventh-round rookie, has the flexibility to play corner or safety. S4: RJ Mickens, Tony Jefferson Mickens and Jefferson may get away without having to battle too much if Elijah Molden (meniscus) remains on the PUP list to start the season, but the sense from minicamp is that Molden will be active to start the year. That leaves the rookie and veteran to battle over the last spot in a room occupied by James, Molden, and Alohi Gilman, all of whom will play crucial roles on defense. Mickens has more special-teams upside, but the Chargers value Jefferson's veteran presence after keeping him around last season.
