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Special teams remain an important phase of the game for Iowa State football. While Kyle Konrardy drew plenty of excitement on social media for his commitment to the team, the Cyclones will have new specialists at the top of the depth chart at long snapper and punter this season.
Here is a look at Iowa State’s specialists for 2026. How will new kickers, punters and long snappers fit in on the Cyclones’ roster?
Long snapper
Transfer newcomers:
- Caleb Schmidt, 6-3, 240 (Minot State, Div. II)
Returners: Jacob Lyftogt, Gavin Schieler
The search for a new long snapper has begun, after Drew Clausen opted to transfer out following two seasons with the Cyclones.
Clausen has since committed to newly crowned national champion Indiana.
Caleb Schmidt had the distinction of being Jimmy Rogers’ first transfer commitment since taking the Iowa State head coaching job.
Interestingly, Schmidt received recruiting interest from Matt Campbell’s coaching staff, but with special teams coordinator Rob Grande remaining on staff for the Rogers era, that may have helped keep Iowa State an appealing destination.
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Kicker
Transfer newcomers:
- Adlai Lounsbury, R-Fr., 6-4, 183 (Washington State)
Returners: Kyle Konrardy, Chase Smith
Kyle Konrardy undoubtedly will have the starting job locked down for the remainder of his career, but it’s amazing how timing and circumstance opened the opportunity for Adlai Lounsbury to come to Ames and potentially be the starting kicker of the future.
Lounsbury, a Van Meter native, grew up a Cyclone fan. However, his kicking career took him to Washington State. With the coaching change and roster shakeup, it gave Lounsbury an opportunity to follow Rogers and return to his home state.
He didn’t appear in any games in 2025 and will have all four years of eligibility remaining.
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Punter
Transfer newcomers: None
Returners: Jonah DuPont
High school commits:
- Ethan Gurney, 6-3, 195, 3-star P
It wouldn’t be surprising if there are some walk-ons to fill out roster depth once the summer arrives, but for now it’s a two-man race for the starting punter job.
Iowa State recently celebrated the graduation of Tyler Perkins, who statistically had one of the greatest careers as a punter in Cyclone history. Perkins, a two-time All-Big 12 honorable mention, was the starting punter for the last four years.
Jonah DuPont redshirted last season, but he was previously the punter for junior college power Iowa Western. He was named a Division I junior college All-American second-team punter.
As for Ethan Gurney, the 6-foot-3 Aussie is a three-star prospect and the No. 11 overall punter in the country, according to 247 Sports.
Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @erapay5.
