Iowa State Cyclones Snag Another Playmaker on Transfer Portal From TCU Horned Frogs

The Iowa State Cyclones secured a commitment from a wide receiver on the transfer portal from the TCU Horned Frogs.

Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Texas Christian Horned Frogs helmet during the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

There are going to be a lot of opportunities for playing time on the Iowa State Cyclones football team in 2026.

More than 50 players entered the transfer portal, with only the Oklahoma State Cowboys having more. Out of those players, 16 were starters, which was the most a single program lost during this cycle.

New head coach Jimmy Rogers not only has the virtually impossible task of replacing Matt Campbell, but also has to rebuild the entire roster. He has been busy at work in the transfer portal, bringing in talent from all levels of college football to address needs on the team.

While the roster looked pretty much set, with official positional groupings being shared on the official Iowa State Football account on X, a few more additions have been made. First, it was defensive tackle Kaleb Bilal-Jones, who comes to the Cyclones via the Arizona Wildcats in the transfer portal.

Iowa State lands wide receiver Jordyn Bailey from TCU in transfer portal

Oct 14, 2023; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Jordyn Bailey (27) catches a pass for a first down as Brigham Young Cougars safety Raider Damuni (33) defends during the game at Amon G. Carter Stadium. | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Now, the team has added another playmaker to the mix. Wide receiver Jordyn Bailey, formerly of the TCU Horned Frogs, has committed to Iowa State and will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Coming out of Denton Ryan High School in Denton, Texas, he was a three-star recruit with an 86 ranking. Unfortunately, he never quite lived up to the billing while at TCU.

His role within the Horned Frogs' offense has lessened each year he was in Fort Worth. As a freshman in 2023, he received a redshirt playing in four games. But he caught five passes for 103 yards and a touchdown.

In 2024 as a redshirt freshman, he appeared in 12 games, catching nine passes for 52 yards and two scores. This past fall, he played in nine games and had only four receptions for 36 yards.

Iowa State has signed TCU WR Jordyn Bailey, @mzenitz and I have learned for @CBSSports.

Bailey, coming off his sophomore season, has 18 catches for 191 yards in his career. https://t.co/DtYSQD7epA pic.twitter.com/5iXCzLqhDJ

— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) January 21, 2026

Throughout his TCU career, he also added four rushes for 73 yards and another score. He brings some special teams experience as well, providing Rogers with another option to return kickoffs with 13 attempts for 266 yards.

There will be plenty of opportunities for Bailey to carve out a role in the new-look Cyclones offense. The leading receiver returnee is Dominic Overby, who caught seven passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns.

All eight players who were ahead of him in receptions and yardage either transferred or exhausted their eligibility. With a new coaching staff in place, this is a great opportunity for Bailey and the other players who transferred into the program to make a name for themselves and work into the lineup.

Keep up to date with all the happenings with the Iowa State Football Transfer Portal Tracker!