Iowa State 'Cyclone Boys' Ready to Fuel Jets in 2023

Will McDonald's addition means Gang Green has three notable ISU products on its roster

New York Jets' headquarters is turning into Ames East. 

With Breece Hall, Allen Lazard and 2023 first-round draft pick Will McDonald all in the fold, Florham Park is now home to a sect of Iowa State's all-time greats. 

"I got Breece (Hall) here and Allen (Lazard). I got my Cyclone boys and I’m just happy to be here," said McDonald during his introductory press conference on Friday. 

Gang Green made the 24-year old McDonald the No. 15 overall selection in the NFL Draft on April 27. The 6-foot-3 defensive end shared a moment of excitement with Hall upon being drafted.

"I was like, 'I’m going to the Jets! I’m going to be there, bro. It’s going to be me, you and Allen, bro, we’re going to be the Cyclone boys,'” said McDonald, who totaled 36 stops, 7.5 tackles-for-loss and four pass breakups over his final 12 games with Iowa State.

In addition to being Iowa State greats, all three aforementioned Cyclones made their marks on Big 12 Conference history during their time in Ames. 

"He's [McDonald] been productive his entire career in Ames," said Jets' general manager Joe Douglas. 

Making at least 5.0 sacks each of the past four seasons, McDonald finished his tenure tied for the all-time Big 12 lead in sacks (34.0). He was a three-time All-Conference First Team honoree. 

"I’m not just out there trying to tackle people. I’m trying to get the ball out, I’m trying to score a touchdown," said Gang Green's newest pass rusher.

Hall, who went to the Jets at No. 36 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, left Iowa State as one of the most-decorated running backs in conference history. The two-time Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year earned back-to-back consensus All-America accolades in 2020 and 2021.

The 6-foot-1 hard-running Hall set the NCAA record for consecutive games with a rushing touchdown, scoring on the ground in each of his last 24 appearances. He is only the fourth man in Big 12 Conference annals to earn POTY honors multiple times along with Texas' Ricky Williams and Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield and Jason White. 

Lazard went undrafted in 2018 despite posting the top receiving marks in Iowa State's record book. The two-time All-Big 12 First Teamer made at least one catch in all 48 career games. 

The 6-foot-5 Lazard is the ISU all-time leader in receptions (241), receiving yards (3,360) and 100-yard receiving games (12). His receiving yards total ranks as the ninth-highest in Big 12 history.

"That’s a great program and getting a guy like Breece (Hall), so you feel pretty good about what you’re getting when an Iowa State player comes in here," said Douglas. "You know you’re getting tough, competitive smart guys that love the game of football."

DE Will McDonald :: Zach Boyden-Holmes / USA TODAY Network

Iowa State DE Will McDonald was selected at No. 15 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft

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RB Breece Hall / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Iowa State RB Breece Hall was a Round 2 pick (No 36 overall) by the Jets in 2022

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RB Breece Hall / Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

In 6.5 games prior to being injured, Jets' running back Breece Hall gained 681 yards from scrimmage as a NFL rookie

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WR Allen Lazard

Despite earning an invitation to the Reese's Senior Bowl, WR Allen Lazard went undrafted out of Iowa State in 2018

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WR Allen Lazard / Green Bay Press Gazette - USA TODAY NETWORK

Jets' FA signee Allen Lazard led Green Bay in receptions (60) and receiving yards (788) last year

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RELEVANT LINKS:

Sports Illustrated Gives Gang Green Average Grade for Round 1 Selection

Jets Secure WR Lazard during NFL Free Agent Negotiating Window

Jets Trade Up With Giants, Pick Iowa State RB Breece Hall

Jets' Draft Tracker: Logging the Picks as They Happen