NFL Cut Day 2025: Former Iowa State Cyclones Who Made the 53-Man Rosters

NFL Cut Day: Former Iowa State Cyclones Who Made It, Who Didn’t, and What’s Next

Cut day in the NFL is always one of the most dramatic, nerve-wracking, and downright unpredictable days on the football calendar. One moment a player’s dream is alive and well, the next moment, they’re sitting in a coach’s office being told to pack up their locker. And for fans of Iowa State football, this day always comes with an extra layer of interest: which former Cyclones are carving out a spot in the pros, and which ones are left wondering about their next move?

This year, as teams across the league finalized their 53-man rosters for the 2025 season, a wave of familiar names from Ames popped up on the lists. Some were absolute locks—guys you just knew weren’t going anywhere. Others? Not so much. For a few players, cut day meant hours of anxiety before learning their fate.

So, who made it through the storm? Let’s break it down.

🚀 Cyclones Who Made the 53-Man Rosters

Here are the Iowa State alumni who will officially start the 2025 season on active NFL rosters:

• Jake Hummel, LB – Baltimore Ravens

• Charlie Kolar, TE – Baltimore Ravens

• T.J. Tampa, DB – Baltimore Ravens

• Eyioma Uwazurike, DL – Denver Broncos

• David Montgomery, RB – Detroit Lions

• Xavier Hutchinson, WR – Houston Texans

• Jayden Higgins, WR – Houston Texans

• Jaylin Noel, WR – Houston Texans

• Jalen Travis, OL – Indianapolis Colts

• Darien Porter, DB – Las Vegas Raiders

• Breece Hall, RB – New York Jets

• Allen Lazard, WR – New York Jets

• Will McDonald IV, DL – New York Jets

• Kene Nwangwu, RB – New York Jets

• Brock Purdy, QB – San Francisco 49ers

Not a bad lineup, right? For a program that was once overlooked on the national stage, Iowa State continues to quietly build a strong NFL pipeline.

💥 The New York Jets: Cyclones Central

If you’re an Iowa State fan who also bleeds green and white for the Jets, you’re basically living in football heaven. New York might as well rebrand itself as “Ames East” at this point.

• Breece Hall has already established himself as one of the most dynamic young running backs in the league, showing flashes of being a true workhorse.

• Allen Lazard, though he had some ups and downs last season, remains a trusted wideout and big target in the red zone.

• Will McDonald IV, the former first-round pick, looks like he’s coming into his own as a disruptive pass rusher.

• Kene Nwangwu gives the Jets another weapon with his elite speed and special teams value.

It’s not every day you see four players from the same college all wearing the same NFL jersey. For Iowa State fans, it’s like a mini-reunion every Sunday.

🏆 Brock Purdy: The Pride of San Francisco

Let’s be honest—this list wouldn’t be complete without talking about Brock Purdy. Once dubbed “Mr. Irrelevant” as the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, Purdy has completely flipped the script. Not only did he defy the odds, but he also took over as the 49ers’ starting quarterback and turned into a legitimate star.

He’s not just holding onto a roster spot. He’s leading one of the NFL’s most talented teams into another year with Super Bowl aspirations. For Iowa State fans, it still feels surreal seeing him command one of the biggest stages in football.

💪 Veterans Who Continue to Shine

• David Montgomery in Detroit is one of those guys you can’t help but root for. He runs hard, breaks tackles, and has become the heartbeat of that Lions offense alongside their young stars. His toughness fits Detroit’s identity perfectly.

• Charlie Kolar has developed into a reliable option at tight end for the Ravens, and with Baltimore’s offense constantly evolving, his role could keep growing.

• Eyioma Uwazurike continues to grind it out in Denver, where defensive linemen who can stop the run are worth their weight in gold.

These aren’t flashy headlines, but they’re proof that Cyclones are sticking in the league because they work hard, stay disciplined, and don’t shy away from the gritty jobs.

🌟 Houston’s Young Guns

The Texans are suddenly a fascinating team to watch, and part of that is because of the Cyclones pipeline making its way south.

• Xavier Hutchinson is entering his second year and has shown flashes of being a reliable possession receiver.

• Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, both younger names, bring speed and upside to a Houston team that’s loaded with potential.

With C.J. Stroud at quarterback, Houston has a rising star under center, and that means opportunity is there for all three former Cyclones to carve out meaningful roles.

🚑 Cyclones Starting the Season on Injured Reserve

Of course, not all the news is positive. A couple of former Iowa State standouts will be sidelined as the season kicks off:

• Malik Verdon, DB – Atlanta Falcons

• Julian Good-Jones, OL – Washington Commanders

Injuries are brutal, especially for guys still trying to solidify their long-term futures in the league. But if Cyclone Nation knows anything, it’s that these players won’t stop grinding. IR doesn’t mean the end—it just means “see you later.”

📌 Quick Takeaways for Cyclone Fans

• Jets Overload: Four Cyclones in New York means plenty of reasons to tune in to Gang Green every week.

• The Purdy Story: Still one of the best underdog-to-superstar tales in recent NFL history.

• Houston Hope: With three young wideouts making it, Houston might quietly become Cyclone fans’ second-favorite team.

• Depth Across the League: From defensive backs to running backs to offensive linemen, Cyclones are filling roles everywhere.

🔥 Why This Matters for Iowa State Football

Ten years ago, if you told someone that more than a dozen former Iowa State players would be spread across NFL rosters, they might have laughed you out of the room. But here we are.

This isn’t just about individual success—it’s about the reputation of Iowa State as a program. Recruits notice this stuff. High school kids making their college decisions are paying attention to which schools send players to the league. And seeing names like Purdy, Hall, and Montgomery thrive on Sundays makes Ames look like an even more appealing destination.

Wrapping It Up

Cut day is brutal. Dreams are crushed, careers are cut short, and surprises happen every year. But for Iowa State fans, the 2025 edition of roster cutdowns brought plenty to celebrate. From household names like Brock Purdy and Breece Hall to hungry young players in Houston and New York, Cyclones are making their mark all across the NFL.

So, whether you’re watching a Lions game, flipping on the Jets, or catching Sunday Night Football with the 49ers, chances are you’ll spot a former Cyclone making plays.

And that’s the beauty of it. Ames might not be the biggest football factory in the country, but the players who come out of Iowa State? They’re tough, resilient, and built to last.