AMES — The Iowa State football team opened spring practice for the upcoming season here on Tuesday, as they will have 15 practice sessions before breaking camp until later in the year.

Three former area standouts are listed on the spring roster in Alex Manske, Caden Matson and Tyler Miller. Manske is a true freshman and one of five quarterbacks in camp, along with returning starter Rocco Becht; redshirt freshmen Connor Moberly and Major Cantrell; and redshirt sophomore Wyatt Bohm.

At Algona, Manske had his senior season cut short following an injury. He was regarded as one of the top prospects in the state, earning all-state honors all four years he was with the Bulldogs.

Matson, a redshirt junior from Humboldt, had a memorable season in a Cyclone uniform last year. The former all-stater returned a blocked punt for a touchdown in a win over Baylor, marking the first time an Iowa State player had done that in 20 years.

Miller, a redshirt senior from Scranton who played at Greene County, is the most experienced player back for the Cyclones. He has started 38 games, including the last 27 in a row.

Iowa State went 11-3 last year, reaching the Big 12 Conference title game and winning the Pop-Tarts Bowl over Miami, 42-41.

“I think there are great challenges ahead,” ISU head coach Matt Campbell said. “We know some of the challenges of losing some of the really talented people that we have on our team. Yet, we also know that there’s a lot of guys stepping into new roles.

“Can we sustain excellence here at Iowa State? I think that’s something that has really been a challenge here.”

Along with Becht, Matson and Miller, leading rushers Carsen Hansen and Abu Sama III are back along with Gabe Burkle and Benjamin Brahmer on offense. The defense is led by Kooper Ebel, Jeremiah Cooper, Jontez Williams and Ta’Shawn James.

The Cyclones open the 2025 season on Aug. 23 against league rival Kansas State in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic held in Dublin, Ireland. They return home to host South Dakota the following week before welcoming in rival Iowa on Sept. 6.

A road trip to Arkansas State and a home game with Arizona conclude September with back-to-back road league battles against Cincinnati and Colorado opening October.

Iowa State concludes the month on October 25 vs. BYU for Homecoming with a rematch against Arizona State set for November 1. Around trips to TCU and Oklahoma State, the Cyclones host Kansas to conclude the regular season.

The Big 12 Championship is scheduled for December 6 in Arlington, Tex.