The current state of Iowa State football presents a study in conflicting trends across the Cyclones’ depth chart, suggesting a foundational challenge for the program. The offense, while uneven, exhibits pockets of upward mobility. The wide receiver corps is undeniably trending positively, developing into a reliable unit. This ascent is supported by the running back position, which is generally trending up, despite the evaluation difficulty posed by injury concerns like the one affecting Cartwright. However, the optimism is tempered by key positions: the quarterback spot is trending slightly downward, and while the offensive line remains neutral, the tight ends
