AMES, Iowa – Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht was named to the Davey O’Brien Award watch list Thursday. The award is presented annually to the nation’s best college quarterback.

It marks yet another preseason nod for the Cyclone signal caller as he was also featured on the Maxwell Award watch list

Now entering his third season under center, Becht is poised to lead the Cyclone offense once again. He has already cemented himself as one of the best quarterbacks in school history having helped Iowa State to 18 wins over the last two seasons, the best two-year stretch in ISU history.

Last season, Becht ranked No. 11 nationally with 3,505 passing yards and 25 touchdowns through the air – and added 318 yards and eight scores on the ground – while leading Iowa State to its winningest season in program history. Led by Becht, Iowa State won 11 games, made a Big 12 title game appearance and earned a thrilling Pop-Tarts Bowl victory over No. 15 Miami last season.

Becht was his best in crunch time last season, leading Iowa State on four game-winning drives where ISU took the lead with under 2:00 remaining in the game (at Iowa, UCF, at Utah, vs. Miami). In his career, Becht has led the Cyclones to five wins where ISU trailed in the fourth quarter.

The Wesley Chapel, Florida native has thrown a touchdown pass in a school-record 18 consecutive games, the nation’s longest active streak entering the 2025 season and the Big 12’s longest streak since Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield had a streak of 40.

Becht has thrown for 3,000 yards in back-to-back seasons, the only Big 12 player to do so and one of just 12 active FBS players who can make that claim. Along with current San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Brock Purdy, Becht is one of two QBs in school history with multiple 3,000-yard passing seasons.

Iowa State opens the 2025 season August 23 in Dublin, Ireland against Kansas State in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. Season tickets are on sale, here.

Becht’s Preseason Honors
Davey O’Brien Award watch list
Maxwell Award watch list
Wuerffel Trophy watch list
Allstate AFCA Good Works Team nominee