Peterson: Iowa State football transfer-portal additions point toward improved offense

Could it be? Could Iowa State be headed toward an offense that includes more passes?

Returning quarterback. Top receivers are back. So is a tight end who’s among the nation’s finest. And the Cyclones picked up a transfer-portal receiver who appears to have a lot of talent.

Let’s put it this way: A freshman All-American quarterback and his top targets (plus one) aren’t just filling roster and sideline space.

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Don’t think Air-Raid. That’s not happening, nor should it in a program that includes star sophomore-to-be running back Abu Sama, a wonderful rookie recruit named Dylan Lee, and a portal transfer.

Given that Rocco Becht no longer is a rookie quarterback, and given that his receivers have proven to be good, the Cyclones certainly enter the spring phase in March with more passing-game confidence than they had at this time last year.

Does that translate to more passing attempts during a 2024 season that includes seven home games, plus a possible Iowa State-Kansas game at Arrowhead Stadium (due to construction on the Jayhawks’ Memorial Stadium)?

The Cyclones’ passing offense was solid last season. Against nine conference opponents, they averaged 243.0 passing yards a game, ranking sixth in the 14-team Big 12.

With everyone who’s returning, plus Army transfer receiver Isaiah Alston, Nate Scheelhaase’s offense should be a significant upgrade from 81st nationally in 2023.

Higher focus on passing is just an assumption, but given that the top four receivers return – Jaylin Noel, Jayden Higgins, Ben Brahmer and Daniel Jackson – that’s got to be appealing to a veteran quarterback. Statistically, that’s 67.6% of the receptions and 75.8 % of the yards coming back. That’s a bunch.