Iowa State Football Atop List for Class of 2028 Tight End

A Class of 2028 tight end has liked what he has seen from the Iowa State Cyclones thus far.

owa State coach Jimmy Rogers reacts during the university’s football open practice at Johnny Majors practice field on August 8, 2026, in Ames, Iowa. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The Iowa State Cyclones are set to start a new era under head coach Jimmy Rogers in a few weeks when they kick off the 2026 college football season.

Expectations are low in his first year after he had to rebuild the roster basically from scratch. There isn’t a single returning starter from the 2025 squad, with a large chunk of the eligible players following Matt Campbell to the Penn State Nittany Lions.

While there will be challenges this year, Rogers has already done a great job laying the foundation for the future. He has hit the recruiting trail hard, and the future of Iowa State looks bright with some prospects committed.

Looking to build upon that success in the Classes of 2026 and 2027, attention is already starting to be turn to the Class of 2028. One player who is emerging is tight end Payton Urry, who has Iowa State at the top of his list at this point in his recruitment.

Iowa State is No. 1 on Payton Urry's list

Oct 23, 2021; Ames, Iowa, USA; General view of helmet used by Iowa State Cyclones against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the first half at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports

“They’re definitely my first one right now,” Urry said, via Bill Seals of Cyclone Report. “They’re an amazing school. I would really love to learn more about them.”

A product of St. Charles North in Illinois, the Cyclones are going to have a chance to solidify their place with Urry when they host him for a gameday visit. When Iowa State hosts the Utah Utes at Jack Trice Stadium on Sept. 26, the Class of 2028 tight end will be in attendance to get an in-depth look at the program.

“I’ve been to the stadium one time because my brother is a student there and I went to the Cy-Hawk game which they won,” Urry said. “I mainly want to see the atmosphere, which is kind of the big thing. I want to see how they treat me there as a recruit coming in on a visit. That’s a big part for me, because it helps me close down my decision of where I would like to go.”

NEW: A 2028 TE from Illinois has scheduled a game day visit to Iowa State — and he says the Cyclones are 'definitely my first one right now' 👀

Story: https://t.co/q7ZTAUx6ZL pic.twitter.com/ODvVzJdxPZ

— CycloneReport (@CycloneReport) August 11, 2026

That will be a great opportunity for the Cyclones to separate themselves from the rest of the competition. Along with Iowa State, Urry has received contracts from the Miami (OH) Redhawks and Connecticut Huskies.

June 15 was when offers could start being made to players in the Class of 2028, and the Cyclones have made Urry a priority.

Listed at 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds, it makes plenty of sense for Rogers and his staff to get in on Urry and try to lock him down as soon as possible. His production was limited during the 2026 season, catching seven passes for 56 yards and one touchdown, but as his role in the offense grows, more eyes will be on him, and interest in him on the recruiting trail could boom.