With the spring football season beginning to enter its final stages and rosters starting to take shape ahead of the fall season, the transfer portal opened back up for players to seek other opportunities.
In Iowa State’s case, three players decided to enter their names into the portal. Redshirt freshmen offensive linemen Brent Helton and Wade Helton, along with redshirt senior wide receiver Isaiah Alston, all decided to seek opportunities outside of Ames.
Brent and Wade Helton
The twin brother tandem out of Corona, California, decided to enter their names together into the transfer portal on Monday, as they look to find playing time elsewhere.
In their only season with the Cyclones, Brent and Wade decided to redshirt the 2024 season after not finding a way to make it onto a starting offensive line that was packed with seasoned veterans.
Going into the 2025 spring season, the Heltons looked to be key depth pieces to a growing offensive line, but that did not end up being the case, as they both look to make an impact at another program going forward.
Isaiah Alston
One player who did find some playing time last season, but who also did not receive a lot of production, was Alston, who entered his name into the portal Thursday.
The transfer from Army came into the 2024 season looking to provide a big impact as Iowa State’s potential third receiver to seniors Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel after being the Black Knights’ leading receiver in his three seasons with the team.
However, Alston’s abilities would not translate into production, as he did not catch a pass until the Pop-Tarts Bowl against Miami (FL), where he had two catches for 52 yards, his longest being a 39-yard reception.
With Higgins and Noel leaving for the NFL Draft, Iowa State did add former UCF receiver Xavier Townsend and former East Carolina receiver Chase Sowell, but the Cyclones may need to grab another with Alston leaving a spot open in the room.
Following a competitive spring season, the now-redshirt senior looks to make use of his last season of eligibility elsewhere, as he looks to provide a bigger impact than he did with Iowa State.
