Iowa State is ready to compete in the new-look Big 12 Conference — and that starts with what should be an elite secondary.
Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon tabbed the Cyclones as the best defensive secondary in the Big 12 on June 11 as he picked the best secondaries in every college football conference.
On the surface, it might seem like Iowa State could take a step back in 2024 with All-American cornerback T.J. Tampa off to the NFL, where he was a fourth-round draft pick by the Baltimore Ravens.
That’s just not the case. Four of the five starters in the secondary are back, including All-Big safeties Jeremiah Cooper and Beau Freyler.
Cooper had 45 tackles, 10 pass breakups and led the Cyclones with 5 interceptions in 2023. Freyler was Iowa State’s leading tackler with 107 tackles.
Iowa State went 7-6 in 2023, closing the regular season with a 42-35 road win over No. 19 Kansas State before losing to Memphis in the Liberty Bowl.
