An update on Iowa State starting quarterback competition

Another team with a starting quarterback competition that’s still ongoing heading into the season: Iowa State.

Redshirt freshman Rocco Becht and four-star true freshman JJ Kohl are both expected to play early in the Cyclones’ season-opening game against Northern Iowa today, a source tells On3.

The game against Northern Iowa comes in advance of a matchup against No. 25 Iowa next week.

“All (the quarterbacks) have had really good camps,” Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell said early this week. “They’ve grown forward. Would I feel like anyone has separated themselves from the other? I would say right now probably no. But I think one of the things, if you asked the kids in our locker room, our kids have elite belief in what’s going on at quarterback and I think we all (as a staff) do too. … I think we’re really excited about what that group looks like.”

Whoever ends up starting at QB for Iowa will replace 2022 starter Hunter Dekkers, who isn’t with the team with him being among the Cyclones players accused of betting on Iowa State sporting events.

Becht, the son of former NFL tight end Anthony Becht, was a Class of 2022 three-star recruit. He played in three games last season, including going 7 of 13 for 65 yards with an interception during a loss to TCU last November. Becht ranked as the 36th-best quarterback and 631rd-best overall prospect in the 2022 recruiting class according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

Kohl, meanwhile, was the highest ranked player in the Cyclones’ 2023 recruiting class. He ranked as the 11th-best quarterback and 155th-best overall prospect in the 2023 class.

“Both guys have mobility,” Campbell said. “Both guys can make all the throws. And both guys certainly have great leadership ability. … What’s been fun is to watch those guys really grow over camp. I think (offensive coordinator and QB coach Nathan Scheelhaase) has done a great job with that group. And I really think that group’s grown immensely, maybe as much as anybody since where they were at the start of the summer to where they are now.”

Iowa State is entering its eighth season under Matt Campbell as head coach. The Cyclones posted winning records each year from 2017 through 2021 but finished last season 4-8. They were picked to finish 10th out of the Big 12’s 14 teams in the conference preseason poll.