There are moments in a program’s offseason that stop you in your tracks. This is one of them.
Iowa State head coach Jimmy Rogers confirmed Monday that safety Braden Awls tore his ACL during spring practice. For a player who came to Ames with significant expectations as one of the more highly regarded transfers in Rogers’ first full recruiting cycle, the timing could not be more cruel.
Awls never got the chance to play a single snap in a Cyclone uniform before suffering one of the most dreaded injuries
in football. That is the part that stings the most.
What Awls Brought to the Table
The 6 foot, 196 pound junior out of Sylvania, Ohio, was one of the more productive safeties in the MAC at Toledo. In 2025 he recorded 52 total tackles, 30 solo, 5 interceptions, 4 pass deflections and 0.5 sacks. His 2024 season was equally impressive with 72 total tackles, 4 interceptions and a touchdown. Over two full seasons as a starter he proved himself as a ball hawking safety who can make plays in coverage. Five interceptions in a single season is not something you replace easily.
That production is exactly why Iowa State came calling. A rangy, turnover creating safety fits precisely what Rogers is building defensively in Ames.
What This Means for the Cyclone Secondary
Iowa State’s defense was already navigating the transition from Matt Campbell’s staff to Rogers’ new system. Losing a key piece in the secondary before the first real evaluation period is complete creates an immediate depth concern the coaching staff will need to address.
The Bigger Picture
ACL tears in spring practice are unfortunately not rare in college football. What matters now is the response from the program in finding solutions and from Awls himself in beginning what will be a long rehabilitation process.
