When you think of college football powerhouses, you’re going to be thinking a long time before landing on the Iowa State Cyclones.
You’re going to be thinking even longer when it comes to powerhouse programs for the NFL Draft. Yet it shouldn’t go unnoticed the work head coach Matt Campbell has put in towards putting the Cyclones on the map, on both fronts. Iowa State has sent several players to the NFL in recent years, and the 2021 squad has a relative plethora of NFL-level talent.
The Matt Campbell era in Ames has been marked by a ton of on-field success, and sending numerous players to the NFL, with varying degrees of success. Former Cyclones wide receiver Allen Lazard went undrafted but has carved out a nice position in the Green Bay Packers wide receiver room.
Another former receiver, Hakeem Butler, had more success than Lazard when it came to the NFL Draft, going in the fourth round to Arizona. However, he has yet to carve out his own path in the league. This past NFL Draft, former running back Kene Nwangwu landed in Minnesota with their selection in the fourth round.
Now, Coach Campbell enters his sixth season with the Cyclones fresh off a Big 12 Conference Championship Game appearance and a big win in the Fiesta Bowl over Oregon. The 2021 squad may be the most talented team Campbell has had in his tenure and should send several players to the NFL. Here are the three players you should be watching for Iowa State in 2021.