AMES — Iowa State head football coach Jimmy Rogers has selected six players to serve as team captains as the Cyclones prepare for the 2026 season, his first at the helm in Ames.
Defensive tackle Max Baloun, cornerback David Coffey, running back Aiden Flora, quarterback Jaylen Raynor, offensive lineman Jake Taylor and defensive end Isaac Terrell will carry the captain designation for Rogers’ first Cyclone squad.
The announcement comes as Iowa State continues preparations after opening fall camp earlier this month under Rogers, who has stressed competition, toughness and leadership while putting his stamp on the program.
Baloun, a seventh-year senior defensive tackle from Redfield, South Dakota, brings extensive experience with Rogers. He spent five seasons at South Dakota State and played on two national championship teams before following Rogers to Washington State for the 2025 season. Baloun started Washington State’s first four games last year before a knee injury ended his season.
Coffey, a redshirt sophomore cornerback from Chicago, is positioned for a larger role after appearing in nine games last season. He earned his first collegiate start against Arizona State and recorded three tackles and a pass breakup in the season finale against Oklahoma State.
Flora, a redshirt sophomore from Adel, emerged as one of Iowa State’s most explosive weapons in 2025. He earned Second Team All-Big 12 recognition as a specialist after averaging 26.1 yards on eight punt returns. His season included a 79-yard punt-return touchdown that provided the winning score against TCU. Flora is expected to take on an expanded role at running back this fall.
Raynor enters his senior season as one of the most experienced leaders on the roster. The Winston-Salem, North Carolina, quarterback has eight fourth-quarter game-winning drives and 20 career victories as a starting quarterback. Shortly after arriving at Iowa State, Raynor also impressed teammates by standing in front of the squad and correctly naming all 126 of them.
Taylor, a redshirt junior offensive lineman from Las Vegas, arrived in Ames after transferring from Oklahoma. He made several starts for the Sooners before injuries interrupted his career and will now be counted on to provide experience and stability along Iowa State’s offensive front.
Terrell, a senior defensive end from Lehi, Utah, reunites with Rogers and defensive coordinator Jesse Bobbit after playing for them at Washington State last season. Terrell recorded seven sacks during a career year and is expected to be a major piece of Iowa State’s new four-man defensive front.
Rogers took over the Cyclone program after previously coaching at South Dakota State and Washington State. Iowa State has also assembled a revamped staff around him, including Bobbit on defense and Tyler Roehl directing the offense.
With camp underway and leadership roles now established, Baloun, Coffey, Flora, Raynor, Taylor and Terrell will be among the players charged with helping guide Iowa State through the opening season of the Rogers era.