The Iowa State Cyclones used their spring practice to experiment with a revamped offensive line, a unit that will look dramatically different from a year ago. With a wave of graduations and portal departures, the coaching staff had to rebuild the entire trench depth chart from the ground up.
During the latest scrimmage, the staff unveiled a tentative starting five that includes holdover Garrett Rutledge, who transitioned from special teams to the line, alongside four newcomers: Caden Maas, Jake Taylor, Braden Smith and Colin Amick.
The competition does not stop there; transfers Gavin Broscious, DeAndre Carter and Maasai King, plus holdovers Austin Barrett and Gabe Greenlee, are all pushing for snaps, ensuring the position group remains unsettled.
Coach Jimmy Rogers has had to bring in nine transfer players to fill both starting roles and depth, a move that reflects the program’s aggressive approach to reshaping the line before the 2026 season.
With the upcoming campaign still months away, the battle for starting spots is expected to intensify through summer workouts and fall camp, making the offensive line one of the most watched storylines for the Cyclones.
A New Era in the Trenches
The early indications suggest that the Cyclones' offensive line will be a focal point of analysis as the team prepares for its next chapter, blending fresh talent with experienced holdovers in a bid to restore competitiveness on the field.