ANALYSIS: ISU's Running Back Room Will SHOCK The Big 12 With New Running Back Arnold Barnes III

Iowa State Cyclones enter the season with a wide-open running back battle—can Arnold Barnes become the breakout star Jimmy Rogers hints he could be? Nick Marovets spotlights commentaries from Big 12 Media Days, analyzing Barnes’ transfer impact and why key teammate endorsements matter. With the Cyclones’ backfield depth chart still uncertain, every spot is up for grabs as players like Cam Pettaway, Aiden Flora, and River Peppers push for bigger roles. Marovets breaks down the strengths of Iowa State’s running game, the statistical profiles of top contenders, and how Jalen Rayner’s dual-threat ability might shape the offense. Major questions surface about the reliability of the wide receiver corps versus the versatile ground attack. Can the Cyclones’ commitment to a dynamic run game tip the balance in the Big 12? Don’t miss this in-depth look at how Iowa State’s evolving offensive identity could define their 2026 campaign.