This is it! The last football game in Jack Trice Stadium for the 2025 Iowa State Cyclones. And with the last game of the season tomorrow, I thought we should stop and thank the seniors one last time for their hard work, determination, dedication, and support of not only Iowa State football and the athletics department, but also the memories along the way.
TYLER MOORE
Tyler was a 6’5”, 245-pound tight end prospect out of Johnston, IA. He was a high 3-star recruit and was a top 10 player in the state of Iowa for
the 2021 recruiting class. In his three seasons of playing time before this year, Tyler had accumulated 32 games played (plus one from his redshirted season), 14 receptions, 127 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. He has also received the Academic All-Big 12 honors in 2024, the Academic All-Big 12 First Team in 2022 and 2023, the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll every semester, the Nick Bassett Perserverance Award this year, and the Dr. Gerald Lage Academic Award for 2024-25.
This season, Tyler had moved to our F-Back position and fit right in. His ability to block and still be effective in the pass game made him the perfect sneaky pick for Rocco in tight situations as well as help Abu Sama and Carson Hansen get loose. Since moving to the new role, Tyler has played in all 10 games this season, accumulating five receptions for 103 yards. Give credit where it’s due, and Tyler is the definition of a Loyal Cyclone. Even after getting jumped in the depth chart, he found his way to make an impact and stay in the Cardinal and Gold.
JAMES NEAL III
James started his career at Independence C.C. for a season and picked Iowa State over FAU and Georgia Tech. He was a top 60 JuCo and top 10 offensive tackle recruit in our 2022 class. He has made the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll for S23, F24, and S25. In 2022, he redshirted after playing two games, but took the starting roll at left tackle for the entirety of the 2023 season. In 2024, he played in 14 games while starting in seven. In 2024, he has collected starts as a left tackle, left guard, and one as a tight end.
Over the course of his career at Iowa State, James has been in charge of protecting Rocco’s blindside. He has started all 10 games this season.
TYLER MILLER
Tyler Miller was a 6’9” 300 300-pound offensive tackle from Scranton, Iowa. He was a Top 10 recruit from the state of Iowa in the 2020 recruiting class. Tyler picked Iowa State over Minnesota, Nebraska, and Purdue. He was a two-way player in High School and was heavily recruited by Jon Heacock. Tyler redshirted his freshman year (2020). In 2021, he got his first career start in the Cheez-It Bowl versus Clemson. After that season, he played left tackle for 12 games, including 10 starts, then switched to right tackle and started in 27 games prior to this year in that spot. He was awarded Academic All-Big 12 Second Team in 2021, Academic All-Big 12 First Team in 2023, and has been named to the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll for S22, F22, S23, F23, and S24.
Tyler’s versatility has been a major benefit while at Iowa State. Having a veteran presence to help younger players strive for improvement and success will also pay dividends for the next generation of offensive linemen.
JIM BONIFAS
Jim committed to Iowa State over Iowa, Northern Illinois, and Louisville. He was a Top 15 recruit in the state of Iowa for the 2021 class and is from Dubuque, Iowa. Jim redshirted his initial year at Iowa State and played in two games in 2022. In 2023, he started 13 games at center while taking a rotational role in 2024. Off the field, Jim has received the Dr. Gerald Lage Academic Award in 2024-25, Academic All-Big 12 First Team 2023, Academic All-Big 12 2024, CSC Academic All-District 2023, NFF Hampshire Honor Society 2025, and the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll every semester.
Jim has been a tremendous depth player who can fill in at the drop of a hat for injured linemen. In a position that receives some of the most wear and tear, being able to bring an experienced lineman off the bench to help others who need a breather or go down is a huge benefit.
DYLAN BARRETT
Dylan started his career at Wisconsin in 2020. While there, he accumulated 13 games, mostly on special teams. At the end of the 2023 season, Dylan transferred to Iowa State as a top 70 Inside Offensive Lineman. While in a Cyclone uniform, Dylan started in eight games at left guard, missing six due to injuries. He has also made the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll every semester while attending Iowa State, was Academic All-Big Ten in 2021 and 2022, and is part of the NFF Hampshire Honor Society for 2025.
Dylan might not have been here his entire career, but his ability to step in with minimal college experience on the offensive line and instantly be successful is a telling tale.
TYLER MARO
Tyler was a Top 15 recruit in the state of Iowa for the 2021 class. The Davenport native picked Iowa State over Arizona State, Kansas State, Nebraska, Oregon, and almost 40 other schools. He had ties to Iowa State through his uncle, Tony Trumm, who was Iowa State’s assistant baseball coach from 1998-2000. Tyler redshirted his freshman season, but through the next three seasons saw him as a rotational offensive lineman and special teams lineman in 39 games. Tyler was named on the Academic All-Big 12 First Team in 2022 and 2023, the Academic All-Big 12 for 2024, and was on the Big 12 COmmissioner’s Honor Roll in F21, S22, S23, F23, S24, F24, S25.
This season, Tyler has continued to be an anchor and senior presence on special teams while also assisting on the offensive line.
DANIEL JACKSON
Daniel Jackson was a top 100 wide receiver recruit in the 2020 class. However, he was plagued with injuries while at Iowa State. He has been able to play in 30 games (most in 2023) since 2020 and has 25 receptions, 316 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. He was the Jack Trice Endowed Scholarship Recipient in 2025, along with making the Academic All-Big 12 Second Team in 2023, and the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll in F22, S23, S24, and F24.
ELI GREEN
Eli Green transferred to Iowa State for the 2024 season from North Dakota State. He was a Top 150 wide receiver and a top 20 prospect from Minnesota. While at NDSU, Eli 51 receptions, 969 receiving yards, and four touchdowns. His 2023 season saw him ranked ninth nationally in average yards per catch at 19.5, and 23rd nationally with 1,197 all-purpose yards (877 receiving). In 2024, he played in 13 games and recorded 10 receptions for 115 yards. Eli was named to the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll in S25.
This season, Eli has played in all 10 games with nine receptions and 98 receiving yards.
CANNON BUTLER
Cannon came to Iowa State for his last year of eligibility from Northern Iowa. Over his three playing seasons at UNI, he accumulated 31 total games, 88 tackles, 16 tackles-for-loss, and 8.5 sacks. He was also named to the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll for S25.
Cannon has played in six games with one hurry-up against Arkansas State this season for Iowa State.
TAMATOA MCDONOUGH
Tamatoa came to Iowa State from Yale with his final year of eligibility. While at Yale, he played in 28 games with 16 starts. He tallied 49 tackles, 16.5 tackles-for-loss, and 7.5 sacks. He was awarded the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Iowa on September 6.
Tamatoa has been electric with his time here in Ames. In 10 games, he has accumulated 25 tackles, four tackles-for-loss, and two sacks. He was awarded the number 58, which is a tradition since 2014, to a defensive lineman, to honor and remember our former assistant coach, Curtis Bray, who wore that number during his playing career at Pitt from 1988-92.
MYLES MENDESZOON
Myles was a three-star prospect out of Chardon, Ohio, and was a top 50 prospect in the state for the 2021 class. He redshirted his freshman year after playing the maximum four games on special teams and collecting 3 total tackles. From 2022-2024, he played in 39 games and led the way on special teams with 41 total tackles. Most fans will remember one of his biggest plays, where he helped block a punt against Baylor and returned by Caden Matson for a touchdown. Myles has also received the Second Team All-Big 12 Specialist – Pro Football Network Award in 2022, Academic All-Big 12 First Team in 2022 and 2023, Academic All-Big 12 in 2024, CSC Academic All-District in 2023, NFF Hampshire Honor Society 2025, and made Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll every semester.
This season, Myles has been, yet again, a large part of special teams. He currently has 8 tackles and has made crucial tackles on kickoffs.
ZACHARY LOVETT
Zachary Lovett transferred to Iowa State in 2023 from Missouri. He was a top 100 prospect and top 80 transfer linebacker in that class. While at Missouri, he played in 13 games on special teams. Since coming to Iowa State, Zachary has played in 26 games before this season on special teams and defense, where he has recorded 22 total tackles, 4.5 tackles-for-loss, and three sacks.
Zachary, this season, has played in nine games and has five total tackles and one pass deflection. We also cannot forget that he was part of arguably the greatest NIL push in the history of all sports.
CALEB BACON
A walk-on from Lake Mills, Iowa, Caleb Bacon redshirted his freshman year in 2021. In 2022, he played in 10 games, all on special teams, where he recorded three tackles. The 2023 season saw Caleb play in 13 games, recording 60 total tackles, 6.5 tackles-for-loss, and three sacks. Right before our bowl game, the walk-on received a full scholarship. In 2024, he was injured and out for the season in the first game. Caleb has been on the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll every semester, was named on the Academic All-Big 12 First Team 2022 and 2023, CSC Academic All-District 2023, was on the Lombardi Award Midseason Watch List 2023, a Burlsworth Trophy Nominee 2023, the Dr. Gerald Lage Academic Award 2024-25, and received the Nick Bassett Perseverance Award. He is also the proud wearer of number 26 to honor former Cyclone Jack Whitver, also a walk-on, who played for Coach Dan McCarney and was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2024.
This season, Caleb has 55 tackles, 6.5 tackles-for-loss, and three pass deflections. He is the voice and heart of this defense. He is also the king of the best NIL deal known to man – Iowa Pork Producers
WILL MCLAUGHLIN
Will McLaughlin chose Iowa State over Kansas State and Iowa in 2022. He was a Top 6 recruit in the state of Iowa and a top 30 linebacker in the 2022 recruiting class. He was a key linebacker his true freshman year, and in 30 games, he recorded 73 total tackles, 11 tackles-for-loss, one sack, two interceptions, two pass deflections, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. He missed most of the 2024 season with an injury, playing four regular-season games and in the bowl game.
DOMONIQUE “BIG CITRUS” ORANGE
Domonique was a top 10 prospect out of Kansas City, Missouri. His height, weight, and freakish athleticism saw his rise to fame, along with the nickname “Big Citrus.” Dom chose Iowa State over Arkansas, FSU, Texas A&M, and others. He played as a true freshman, and in his first three seasons as a Cyclone, he played in 38 games, had 48 tackles, 6.5 tackles-for-loss, one sack, and a pass deflection. He has also been named to the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll for F22, S24, F24, the Academic All-Big 12 in 2024, along with receiving Honorable Mention All-Big 12 DL – Coaches in 2023 and 2024, and the Bednarki Player of the Week for the Cy-Hawk game on September 6.
There is about a million highlight clips of Dom being destructive and helping the defense in some dire situations, but the one above is one of the many that show his athleticism and awareness to be able to drop into coverage and lay the hit-stick on a big body tight end and upend him without moving an inch. This season, Dom has accumulated 18 tackles, 0.5 tackles-for-loss, and the pass breakup above. He isn’t the flashiest player on the team, but his ability to absorb multiple blocks to help his teammates make plays with be missed.
TYLER PERKINS
Tyler Perkins was a 5-star level punter by Kohl’s Kicking Camp and was a Top 5 punter in the 2022 class. The Norwalk, Ohio native was the starting punter his true freshman year, where he became the fourth-best freshman average in school history with 42.2 yards on 50 attempts. He is a top-three punter in school history, and has also been an important on the field goal team, making sure the laces are facing out. Tyler also claimed the Ray Guy National Punter of the Week on Oct. 18, 2023. He has also made the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll for F22, S23, F23, S24, F24, the Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team in 2023, the Academic All-Big 12 First Team in 2023, and the Academic All-Big 12 in 2024. Tyler has honorable mentions for All-Big 12 Specialist – Pro Football Network in 2022, Freshman All-American – College Football News 2022, and All-Big 12 – Coaches 2023. He was also a Second Team Freshman All-American – The Athletic in 2022.
This season, Tyler has punted 35 times for 1,498 yards, averaging 42.8 yards per punt. His longest was a 65-yarder. He has only allowed one touchback, forcing 14 fair catches and 17 within the 20-yard line.
DREW CLAUSEN
Drew transferred from Northern Iowa to Iowa State for the 2024 season. He played 11 games for the Panthers and became the starting long and short snapper last season during the Iowa game. He is a native of Grimes, Iowa, and has earned the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll every semester he has been at Iowa State. He has also won the Dr. Gerald Lage Academic Award for 2024-25. Drew is the beginning and first domino in making sure Kyle Konrardy can kick a 51-yard game-winner against Iowa.
