The NFL is the peak of football and the end goal for almost every college football player.
Iowa States roster is no exception, and many Cyclones have done so, with 26 players on 2026 offseason rosters.
Some of these players are guaranteed starters for the 2026 season, but some other players are fighting for a final roster spot.
Atlanta Falcons Malik Verdon Malik Verdon played for Iowa State from 2021 to 2024 as a safety.
The Cincinnati native had five pass deflections and an interception in his final season for Iowa State.
In the 2025 NFL Draft, Verdon went undrafted, signing as an undrafted free agent (UDFA) to the Atlanta Falcons.
During the 2025-26 NFL season, Verdon didnt appear in any regular-season games for the Falcons, as the team finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs.
Baltimore Ravens T.J.
Tampa T.J.
Tampa played for Iowa State from 2020 to 2023, grabbing three interceptions and 19 pass breakups throughout his collegiate career.
In the 2024 NFL draft, Tampa was selected in the fourth round as the 130th pick overall by the Baltimore Ravens.
In Tampas freshman season in the NFL, he appeared in seven games, with four tackles.
His second season in 2025 was where he really stepped up, appearing in 17 games and grabbing his first career interception versus the New York Jets during week 11.
Tampa also had 29 combined tackles on top of two pass breakups.
Chicago Bears Anthony Johnson Jr.
Anthony Johnson Jr.
played for Iowa State from 2018 to 2022, entered the 2023 NFL draft, and was selected in the seventh round, 242nd overall, by the Green Bay Packers.
In Johnsons 2024 season, he played in 12 games, starting four and grabbed his first interception versus the Los Angeles Rams in week eight.
In 2024, Johnson was claimed off waivers by the New York Giants, recording 21 snaps and five tackles.
In 2025, Johnson failed a physical before being cut by the Giants and not being rostered at all for the season.
On May 21, Johnson signed with the Bears, hoping to make Chicagos 2026 53-man roster.
Denver Broncos Hakeem Butler, Tyler Miller and Eyioma Uwazurike The Denver Broncos have three players listed on their 2026 offseason roster coming from Iowa State, tied for the second most in the NFL.
Hakeem Butler joined the Broncos on June 15 after winning the 2026 UFL Offensive Player of the Year.
Butler played with the Cyclones from 2015 to 2018, joining the 2019 NFL draft.
Butler has been a journeyman in professional football since being drafted in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals.
Butler has now been rostered on 11 teams across the NFL, UFL and CFL.
Hes now looking to keep a stable spot with the Broncos in 2026.
Tyler Miller played for Iowa State from 2021 to 2025, appearing in 55 games, signing with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent (UDFA) after going undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Eyioma Uwazurike played for the Cyclones from 2017 to 2021, being drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Broncos.
In 2025, Uwazurike recorded his best season in the NFL, with 3.5 sacks and 39 combined tackles.
Green Bay Packers Dylan Barrett Dylan Barrett played for Iowa State in 2024 and 2025 after transferring from Wisconsin.
In the offensive linemans two-year stint with the Cyclones, he appeared in 20 games.
Barrett signed with the Packers on April 25 as a UDFA.
Houston Texans Jayden Higgins, Jake Hummel, Xavier Hutchinson, David Montgomery, James Neal III and Jaylin Noel The Houston Texans have the most Iowa State players in the NFL, with six total players, so much so that fans have nicknamed the team the Houston Cyclones.
Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel were both selected in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Texans.
The receiving duo both had over 1,000 receiving yards in their final season with the program.
Higgins had 525 yards receiving and six touchdowns in his rookie season with the Texans.
As for Noel, he had 292 yards with two touchdown receptions.
Xavier Hutchinson is the third Cyclone receiver on the Texans, playing for the team since 2023.
In 2025, Hutchinson had 428 yards receiving as well as three touchdown grabs.
David Montgomery joined the Texans from the Detroit Lions after being traded for multiple draft picks.
Montgomery has been in the NFL since 2019, playing for the Bears and the Lions before the Texans.
In 2020 and 2023, Montgomery recorded 1,000-yard seasons, with 2023 having his most touchdowns with 13.
Jake Hummel is also a new arrival to the Texans, joining from the Baltimore Ravens.
Before the Ravens, Hummel played for the Rams from 2022 to 2024.
Hummel has appeared in 58 career games, appearing in every game since 2023.
Hummel recorded a career high of 18 tackles with the Ravens in 2025.
Finally, James Neal III rounds out the Texans, joining the team as a rookie for 2026.
Neal appeared in 41 games for the Cyclones from 2022 to 2025.
Indianapolis Colts Ben Nikkel and Jalen Travis Jalen Travis joined Iowa State in 2024 from the Princeton Tigers of the Ivy League and appeared in a total of 12 games of the teams 14 that season.
Travis was selected as the 127th pick in the 2025 NFL draft by the Colts.
In 2025, Travis played in 17 games for the Colts, starting in four.
Ben Nikkel has been with the Colts since 2025, after being a part of the Washington Commanders in 2024.
The two-year Cyclone hasnt appeared in any NFL games in his career.
Los Angeles Chargers Charlie Kolar and Myles Purchase Charlie Kolar joined the Chargers in 2026 after all four career seasons with the Baltimore Ravens.
Kolar appeared in 47 games for the Ravens during his four years, starting in 13.
In 2025, Kolar had 142 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions.
Myles Purchase went undrafted in 2025, signing with the Chargers as a UDFA.
Just before the 2025 season, Purchase was cut from the Chargers before joining the Giants later that season.
On April 6, Purchase was released by the Giants, and just a month later, he returned to Southern California, signing with the Chargers.
Purchase didnt appear in any games during his rookie season.
Las Vegas Raiders Darien Porter Darien Porter is the lone Cyclone on the Raiders, being drafted 68th in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Porter played in all 17 games for the Raiders in 2025, with three pass deflections and a fumble recovery.
Unfortunately, Porters efforts werent able to help a struggling Raiders team, finishing the 2025 season 3-14, last in the NFL.
Miami Dolphins Jim Bonifas After going undrafted in 2025, Jim Bonifas was signed to the Miami Dolphins as a UDFA for the 2026 season.
Bonifas appeared in games for the Cyclones from 2022 to 2025, playing in 37 as an offensive lineman.
Minnesota Vikings Domonique Orange Domonique Orange was the earliest and only Cyclone selection in the 2026 NFL draft after being selected in the third round at 82nd overall.
Orange appeared in games for the Cyclones from 2022 to 2025, combining for 32 tackles and seven tackles for loss.
New York Jets Breece Hall, Will McDonald IV and Kene Nwangwu Just like the Denver Broncos, the Jets have three Cyclones on their 2026 roster.
Breece Hall has been in the NFL since 2022, with every season being with the New York Jets.
Hall was selected as the 36th pick of the 2022 NFL Draft.
In 2025, Hall broke the 1,000 rushing yard barrier, ending the year with 1,065 yards.
Hall re-signed with the Jets on a three-year, $45.75 million contract extension, meaning hell be staying in New York for the next couple of seasons.
Will McDonald IV was selected 15th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Jets.
In 47 games, McDonald has combined for 72 tackles and 21.5 tackles, being a rare bright spot on a struggling Jets defense.
Finally, Kene Nwangwu is the one Cyclone on the Jets that hasnt been a part of the team his whole career.
In 2021, Nwangwu was selected 119th by the Minnesota Vikings before joining the Jets in 2024.
Nwangwu has been a return specialist throughout his career, with five total return touchdowns.
Seattle Seahawks J.R.
Singleton The reigning champions have one Cyclone on their 2026 roster in J.R.
Singleton.
Singleton played for Iowa State from 2020 to 2024, combining for 27 tackles and 7.5 sacks.
San Francisco 49ers Brock Purdy Brock Purdy has put himself forever in Cyclone history with his impressive NFL career to this point.
Purdy was selected last in the 2022 NFL Draft at 262nd overall.
Playing for Iowa State from 2018 to 2021, Purdy combined for 12,170 passing yards and 81 touchdowns throughout his time with the Cyclones.
In the NFL, Purdy has played in four seasons with the 49ers, appearing in a Super Bowl with the team from the Bay Area.
In 2025, Purdy played just nine games after an injury derailed his season.
Despite the injury, he finished the year passing for 2,167 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Washington Commanders Julian Good-Jones Julian Good-Jones went undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft after playing with the Cyclones from 2016 to 2019.
Good-Jones was on the Eagles practice squad in 2020 and 2023, with a tenure with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League in 2021 and 2022.
Good-Jones has been on and off the Commanders roster since 2023, but was signed to the active roster on New Years Eve of 2025..