Iowa State football dives into transfer portal, comes out with three new players

Originally posted on Iowa State Cyclones on SI
By Dana Becker | Last updated Dec 14, 2024 9:00 AM ET

The Iowa State football team is focused on the Pop-Tarts Bowl but that doesn’t mean there isn’t time for looking towards the future.

And the future is through the transfer portal.

While the Cyclones have lost some players off the active roster through he portal, they have also been adding them. In the past 48 hours, Iowa State has received commitments from portal players Xavier Townsend, Cannon Butler and Tre Bell.

Townsend, a wide receiver, was offered by Iowa State coming out of high school but opted to go to UCF instead. He will be a likely candidate to help replace the loss of senior wide receivers Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins, who both recorded 1,000-plus yards receiving this year.

Butler, a defensive end, comes to the Cyclones following a productive season at Northern Iowa. He was a captain this past season, recording 59 tackles and 1.5 sacks for the Panthers.

After an awesome official visit, I'm excited to say I have received and accepted an offer from @CycloneFB !Let's get to work @CoachRasheed @DerekHoodjer pic.twitter.com/XjHgpaGLy5
— Cannon Butler (@CannonButlr) December 13, 2024

Bell, a defensive back from Lindenwood, brings excellent size at 6-foot-3 and almost 200 pounds. He recorded 24 tackles with six pass breakups and an interception for Lindenwood last year.