Aug 23, 2025 7:10 PM EDT
The 2026 NFL Draft class is expected to feature a star-studded quarterback class, stuffed full of big names from powerhouse programs, from Arch Manning at Texas and Cade Klubnik at Clemson, to South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers and Penn State’s Drew Allar.
But if you’re looking for the sleeping giant lurking under the radar in next year’s crop of potential franchise passers, look no further than Iowa State’s Rocco Becht.
Listed at 6-1, 210 pounds, Becht doesn’t have prototypical size for the position, but that’s where the list of his deficiencies end when projecting his skill set in term of value and potential at the next level.
In Saturday’s season-opener in Dublin, Becht showed off a long list of NFL-ready traits while leading the 22nd-ranked Cyclones to a huge win over No. 17 Kansas State.
After a slow start from both offenses due to consistent rain, Becht kicked off the scoring late in the first quarter with this absolute dime of a touchdown pass, showing off an ideal blend of touch and ball placement after reading the defense perfectly and finding the ideal matchup downfield:
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Late in the third quarter, Becht did it again, taking advantage of a perfect double-move route to deliver his second touchdown pass of the day, breaking a tie and giving the Cyclones a lead they wouldn’t relinquish:
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The modern NFL quarterback needs to be athletic enough to make big plays happen with his legs, too, and Becht didn’t disappoint in that department Saturday. He called his own number to extend the lead to two scores in the fourth quarter, getting into the end zone on the ground this time:
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A cursory look at Saturday’s box score might not generate much buzz for Becht (14-for-28 passing, 183 yards, lost fumble), but his three total touchdowns were obviously the difference in the game, and a deeper look at the film still reveals a player with skills that always translate well to the pro game.
NFL teams will always be enamored with big, athletic quarterbacks who have elite arm strength and blazing speed, but there are intangible traits they’ll always value, and those were on display throughout Becht’s performance Saturday. He showed mental toughness in overcoming a wide range of exterior challenges, and the ability to come through in the clutch.
Despite sloppy conditions against a ranked rival in a game that was played 4,000 miles away from Ames, Becht bounced back from a somewhat slow start to make big plays throughout the game when they were needed most, leading his team to a massive win that will have College Football Playoff implications.
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After appearing in just three games to maintain his redshirt back in 2022, Becht entered the 2023 season as the Cyclones’ starter as a redshirt freshman. He earned Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year honors, then led Iowa State to an 11-3 record and an appearance in the Big 12 title game, falling just short of a CFP berth.
Now as a redshirt junior, Becht already has 28 career starts under his belt following Saturday’s win over Kansas State. If he’s able to stay healthy for the entire 2025 season, he could be an early entrant into the 2026 NFL Draft as the rare underclassman quarterback prospect with 40+ college starts to his credit. That level of starting experience is highly valued by many decision-makers throughout NFL front offices.
It’s always a challenge for undersized passers to crack the first-round conversation without any particular physical trait that leaps off the screen. But the collective value of what Becht brings to the table should keep Iowa State in the playoff hunt throughout the college football season, and no matter where he lands at the next level (whether that’s next offseason or the year after), it won’t be surprising if he finds the same level of success he’s enjoyed in college.
About the Author
Luke Easterling
NFL Draft analyst
Luke is the NFL Draft analyst for Athlon Sports, with more than two decades of experience covering college football, the NFL, and the NFL Draft.