Matt Campbell in awe of Rocco Becht’s maturation behind center
Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht drops back to attempt a pass during the second quarter against Kansas Saturday November 4, 2023 at Jack Trice Stadium. (Lynn Harrington/stayaliveinpower5)
LAS VEGAS — Although he was an unknown when the Cyclones started the 2023 season, the quarterback led the team to seven wins and earned Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year honors.
Coach Matt Campbell threw Rocco Becht to the wolves after Hunter Dekkers’ dismissal, and he held his own on the gridiron. Not only did he start all 13 games, but Becht finished third in the league in touchdown tosses, and fourth in passing yards.
Becht carried that momentum through spring ball, and impressed his coaches. Campbell is proud of how far Becht has come in such a short period of time. From his command of the offense, to the way he make others around him better, there’s no denying Becht is molding himself into the ultimate leader.
“To me it’s a confidence factor of playing in those big game moments, being the guy with the ball in the hand making all those decisions, and I think we saw really from the midpoint season on, this guy just really start to flourish and have comfortability in the role of being the starting quarterback,” Campbell said.
Becht will be operating under a new Offensive Coordinator this fall though. Campbell promoted Tight End Coach Taylor Mouser to the position in March after Nathan Scheelhaase left to become the Passing Game Coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams. Mouser’s connection with Becht will determine how far Iowa State’s offense goes this season, and the potential is there to produce something special.
After all, Becht is surrounded with elite weapons at the skill positions. Running back Abu Sama is coming off a promising true freshman campaign, in which he led the Cyclones in rushing yards and touchdowns on the ground. Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins are arguably the best wide receiver tandem in the nation, considering they combined for 119 receptions, 1,803 receiving yards and 13 touchdown catches last season.
The coaching staff are also high on true freshman tight end Ben Brahmer, and feel he can make an impact on the offense like Charlie Kolar did during his time as a Cyclone. Campbell is confident the unit is making strides approaching fall camp, and expects Becht to spread his wings with the talent he has in his arsenal.
“You put that around Rocco Becht and watch what he evolved into from where he was as a redshirt freshman, kind of forced into the starting position to, man, by the midpoint of the season this guy’s got a chance to be really special and to be dynamic in his ability to be a great facilitator of the football to those guys,” he said.
Iowa State fans have high anticipation for the upcoming season, and can’t wait to see what Becht will do for an encore. The 20-year old is already getting Brock Purdy comparisons too, which is a huge compliment. The Big 12 is as wide open as ever after expansion, and the Cyclones have a chance to strike while the skillet is hot with one of the best offenses in the conference.
The Big 12’s Preseason Media Poll was released earlier this month and had Iowa State sixth, which is an improvement from being picked 10th the year prior. Still, Campbell believes his team has a lot to prove, and it’s going to be up to Becht to get them to the promised land.
“In those critical moments, can you be flawless in execution, and I think some of those things are what you hope is the next step for Rocco, from going from a redshirt freshman to going into a redshirt sophomore season.”
