This attempts to be an exhaustive list, however, no guarantees can be made on that.

Previous editions: 1920s-1930s, 1940s-1950s, and 1960s.

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1970s(35)

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Wayne Beske - Richmond Saints - ACFL

Beske was the starting center for Johnny Major’s first two years here (1968 and 1969). The 6’1 Minneapolis native played some Defensive Line in 1967 to 1969, totaling about 15 tackles. It’s very likely that Beske ran a faster 40 than Josey Jewell.

In 1969, he won the Al and Dean Knudson Award which goes to the most outstanding offensive player (for 1969 only). He was selected to play in the 1969 Blue-Gray Classic.

According to profootballarchives.com, he spent the 1970 season playing with the Richmond Saints.

However, in the attached program, he is nowhere to be found.

The ACFL, which the Saints were a part of, paid $100 per game to each player (36 players per team). The Saints franchise folded after the 1970 season.

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Cyclone Sidebar

Otto Stowe - 1971 NFL Draft - 2nd Round, 47th Overall - Miami Dolphins

1970 Media Guide

Otto Stowe is the best ISU wide receiver to this point (1968-1970) in ISU history since Jim Doran. Otto played four games on our basketball team averaging 3 ppg and 1.3 rpg in the 1968-69 season. He went 5/9 from the field and 2/7 at the line.

His senior season of 1970 had the best marks for a receiver in school history as seen stat wise below. His 59 receptions in 1970 led the Big Eight.

He was selected to play in the following postseason games: North-South, All-American Bowl, and All-America Game.

Stowe’s two touchdowns against St. Louis in 1972 helped lead the Dolphins to a win.

He did not appear in Super Bowl VI as he was battling Hepatitis.

In 1972, the famed perfect season for Miami, he had 13 catches for 276 yards, and two of those catches were touchdowns.

After football, he and his wife have opened Organic Sport in California.

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1970 Media Guide

Therman Couch - 1971 NFL Draft - 9th Round, 231st Overall - San Francisco 49ers

Therman was a defensive end from North Carolina that spent a little time with ISU. As seen in the interview below, he wasn’t a fan of Johnny Majors or Jackie Sherrill.

2001 Interview with Couch.

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Omaha World-Herald

Jeff Allen - 1971 NFL Draft - 13th Round, 329th Overall - St. Louis Cardinals

As a Cyclone, he didn’t have the most statistically appealing career, amassing 368 total rushing yards and 426 total receiving yards over his two season Cyclone career. He was the starting running back in Johnny Majors’ first two seasons at Iowa State.

1970 Media Guide

His only game would take place on a 45 degree afternoon on December 18th, 1971, a loss against the Dallas Cowboys.

Later that night, 630 miles west in El Paso, #17 Iowa State would take on #10 Louisiana State in the Sun Bowl in our first bowl appearance.

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1970 Media Guide

Tom Lorenz - 1971 NFL Draft - 14th Round, 360th Overall - Detroit Lions

His 36 receptions as a tight end make him sixth all time in school history.

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Darrell Jansonius - 1971 NFL Draft - 16th Round, 406th Overall - Kansas City Chiefs

He played on the freshman squad, but a slew of injuries spelled disaster for him. Jansonius was a defensive tackle for Iowa State from Ackley (AGWSR) in 1970. Coach Majors persuaded the shot-putter to come back for his senior season. In short time, the 263 pounder became the top defensive tackle on the team, before breaking his leg against Nebraska in November 1970.

The following is from an Ames Tribune article from when Kansas City signed Butch (June 24, 1971):

“I feel certain that Butch will make it in the NFL,” Majors said. “He will have to be allowed to gain experience but I feel certain he will have that chance. All he needs is a chance and he will prove he is capable of playing in any league.” Jansonius was a four - sport man at Ackley, earning letters in football (4), track (2), basketball (2), and baseball (1).”

Unfortunately, he again had injuries and was cut from the Chiefs. He tried out and made it to training camp for the 49ers, before breaking his leg again.

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Dean Carlson - 1972 NFL Draft - 7th Round, 179th Overall - Kansas City Chiefs

Our starting quarterback for the 1971 Sun Bowl had a terrible NFL career, so let me bring our attention to his Iowa State career. In the 1971 season, Carlson threw for a then school record 1,867 yards.

He currently ranks fourth with 21 total touchdowns in one season, ninth overall with 35 career touchdowns (tied with Dexter Green and Wayne Stanley), tenth for most passing touchdowns in a season (14), and eighth all time with most passing touchdowns in a career(24). Very impressive, considering he was only here for the 1970 and 1971 seasons.

1971 Highlights.

In his lone 1974 NFL appearance against Minnesota, he went 7/15 for 116 yards with one interception, and had two rushes for 17 yards. To be fair to Carlson, fellow Chief Len Dawson had a similar game (9/16 124 yards).

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George Amundson - 1973 NFL Draft - 1st Round, 14th Overall - Houston Oilers

Iowa State’s first 1,000 yard rusher, and only first round NFL draft pick, Amundson did not have a professional career that matched his All-American Cyclone career.

1974 would be his best professional year. In the first game of the season against the Chargers, Amundson led the way with three touchdowns, as the Oilers beat San Diego 21-14.

While spending two seasons as an Oiler, he had four rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown. By 1975, he became a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, wearing #38.

In 1978, he tried to become a tight end for the then St. Louis Cardinals, but was injured in the preseason.

ISU Hall of Fame Class of 1998.

For those interested, here is an interview with Amundson from 2016.

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Dave McCurry - 1973 NFL Draft - 5th Round, 130th Overall - Miami Dolphins

The Grinnell native played from 1970-1972, and is noted in Cyclone lore as the last Cyclone to play on both sides of the ball consistently before Joel Lanning.

As a defensive back, he would have 80 solo tackles, 7 interceptions, and 4 fumble recoveries.

He would appear in two games with the Patriots.

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George Campbell - 1973 NFL Draft - 7th Round, 170th Overall - Atlanta Falcons

Campbell was a starter alongside Barry Hill in the 1972 Liberty Bowl, and was one of the few that wore a black armband that game. He was a two year letterwinner, winning a letter in 1971 and 1972 as a cornerback.

He and Geary Murdock were both invited to the Lion’s All-America Bowl

Drafted by the Falcons in the 1973 NFL Draft.

He didn’t play until 1976, where he played all fourteen games (while starting two) with the Eagles, for which he wore #37.

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Geary Murdock - 1973 NFL Draft - 11th Round, 274th Overall - Minnesota Vikings

Mike Green

All-Big Eight in 1972.. They stayed together for 34 years. He played in the Lions’ Club All-American Bowl. Murdock was also an NCAA qualifier in wrestling

Murdock spent 1974-77 in the CFL with the Calgary Stampeders and the British Columbia Lions.

I wasn’t able to find much more about Murdock, apart from the fact he passed on March 27, 2007 at the age of 55.

There was a tree planted in living memory of him at Fish Creek Provincial Park in Calgary, Alberta.

Iowa State Hall of Fame Class of 2017.

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Merv Krakau - 1973 NFL Draft - 14th Round, 344th Overall - Buffalo Bills

Krakau (pronounced CROAK-er) showcased his talents in the 1972 23-23 against #3 Nebraska . He recorded 11 tackles, 2 sacks, created and recovered 2 fumbles in the game. The game ended Nebraska’s 24 game winning streak with the final score being a 23-23 tie.

His efforts that week awarded him Big Eight Player of the Week and national lineman of the week for his outstanding play. Coach Majors called him the best pass-rusher on the 1972 squad, as evidenced by this sack here. He was Iowa State’s first defensive All-American.

Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images

In 1976, he led the Bills in tackles(132) and was second in the NFL in fumble recoveries.

He stayed with the Bills until 1978, before going to New England.

In 1983, he played one season with the Tampa Bay Bandits. (Part of the defunct United States Football League) He is in the third row wearing #52 in the above picture.

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Iowa State vs. New Mexico, September 30, 1972 | RS 24/6/0/5

Matt Blair - 1974 NFL Draft - 2nd Round, 51st Overall - Minnesota Vikings

Blair is one of the best linebackers in school history. Dubbed a “monster back” by Coach Johnny Majors.

He was a part of the 1971 team that went to play in the Sun Bowl against LSU.

He chose Iowa State over Oklahoma and Oklahoma State due to the fact ISU offered him a scholarship, whereas OU and OSU wanted him as a walk-on.

“I remember Coach Majors and some of his assistants came down to recruit me and for some reason wanted to play me and a bunch of guys in basketball,” Blair said. “It was their way to get to know me. I thought it was pretty cool. It was something I’d never heard of.”

Blair was an All-American in 1973.

While a member of the Vikings, he was selected to six Pro Bowls and played in two Super Bowls. Additionally, Blair is the Minnesota Vikings record holder for most blocked kicks in a career with twenty blocks. Arguably the best “Blair” to ever play for Minnesota.

Iowa State Hall of Fame Class of 1999.

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Ike Harris - 1974 NFL Draft - 4th Round, 91st Overall - St. Louis Cardinals

Ike was an elite receiver in his time at Iowa State, catching 32 passes for 529 yards in his sophomore year of 1971. Playing alongside Keith Krepfle, and Willie Jones, the trio led the Cyclones to the 1971 Sun Bowl.

In 1972, he led the Cyclones to another bowl appearance, this time the 1972 Liberty Bowl. He caught two touchdown passes, including one to put Iowa State up 7-3 early in the game.

He would have a decent 1973, and he would finish his Iowa State career with 76 catches for 1,226 yards with 10 touchdown receptions.

Harris would be drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals, however, he would spend his first season with the magenta and orange clad Southern California Sun in the upstart World Football League, which would only last until October 1975.

Harris would spend 1975-1977 with the Cardinals, where he had 4 receiving touchdowns and almost 1600 yards receiving in the run-dominated NFL.

He would then spend 1978-1981 in New Orleans, where he started all 48 games he appeared in.

After his NFL career, he would go to the University of Minnesota to pursue an MBA to pair with his accounting degree he earned at Iowa State. After Minnesota, he would work his way up to Vice President at SUPERVALU.

In 1987, he was honored as Iowa State’s outstanding alumnus. In 1991, Ike was named Cy’s Favorite Alum, and left SUPERVALU a few years later in 1997. He would leave to be the Chief Financial Officer at BellSouth in Atlanta.

Harris would be featured on the February 2005 list of Top 75 Most Powerful African-Americans in Corporate America by Black Enterprise Magazine.

Iowa State honored him in 2007 by inducting him into their Hall of Fame.

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Keith Krepfle - 1974 NFL Draft - 5th Round, 115th Overall - Philadelphia Eagles

3rd all time at Iowa State with 15 receiving touchdowns. He was the leading Iowa State receiver in the 1971 Sun Bowl, catching six passes for 88 yards, including one touchdown.

He would play in Philadelphia until 1980, and is famous in Eagles history for scoring the franchise’s first Super Bowl touchdown. Krepfle spent the 1981 season with the Falcons.

He had a productive NFL career, totaling 152 receptions for 2,425 yards in 97 career starts. This “Where Are They Now” article about Krepfle on the Eagle’s website talks about post-NFL Krepfle.

2002 Iowa State Hall of Fame inductee.

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Ted Jornov - 1974 NFL Draft - 13th Round, 335th Overall - Cincinnati Bengals

He is third on Iowa State’s all time tackle list with 395 tackles in 3 seasons.

He played in the World Football League in 1974 and 1975 laying for Philadelphia Bell and Jacksonville Express respectively.

The Hudson, New York native never played in the NFL regular season, but was the starting middle linebacker for the Buccaneers in their first-ever preseason game in Los Angeles. Jornov was released after that game on August 2nd, 1976.

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Willie Jones - 1974 NFL Draft - 15th Round, 381st Overall - Atlanta Falcons

Willie was an outstanding kickoff returner for Iowa State, averaging 26.06 yards a return, including two returned for over 90 yards. The Valdosta (GA) flanker was the leading receiver on the 1972 squad.

Until the 2009 Liberty Bowl, Willie Jones had the longest kickoff return in Liberty Bowl history.

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Larry Hunt - 1974 NFL Draft - 15th Round, 387th Overall - Pittsburgh Steelers

“Big Daddy” Hunt was a crucial piece of the Cyclone defense in the mid 1970s. First-team All-Big Eight in 1973 as nose guard.

His 334 tackles as an interior lineman are 2nd most in school history.

Hunt switched to middle linebacker his senior year as captain.

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Barry Hill - 1975 NFL Draft - 5th Round, 127th Overall - Miami Dolphins

Before Iowa State, Hill (January 26, 1953 - December 29, 2010) was an All-State selection in football and basketball in 1970 at Carver High School in Florida. As a safety on the football team, he helped the Eagles to state titles in 1968 and ‘69. As highly touted basketball recruit, he was the state’s second-leading scorer as a senior.

According to an article from the Sun Sentinel, “He was part of the last senior class at Carver High, the racially segregated school for black students in Delray Beach and Boynton Beach that later merged with all-white Seacrest High to become Atlantic Community High.”

He received offers from Brown, Penn State, Notre Dame, enlistment in the Navy, and Iowa State. I mention the military because his late father, James, was a Colonel in the Active United States Army Reserve until retiring in 1981. Dr. Hill wrote an autobiography called Saw Mill - A Family Affair: Educator and soldier born and bred in the deep south.

Hill is the record holder for career interceptions (21), interceptions in a single season (9), and tied with Everett Kischer for most in a game with 4, with his interception flurry coming against Kansas. First (only?) Cyclone ever to play in four postseason invitational games.

He played 20 games with Miami before six knee operations - three on each knee - ended his career. In what would be Floyd Little’s (successor to Ernie Davis at Syracuse) last game, Barry Hill blocked a potential game winning field goal by Jim Turner, and the Dolphins would hold on 14-13.

He was inducted into the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame in 1993.

Later he was a guidance counselor, athletic director, coach and administrator at Suncoast High and Palm Beach Gardens High, where he was a coach from 1994-1996, a teacher from 1994-1999, and assistant principal starting in July 1999.

On December 16, 1999, he was pulled over at 12:50am in his BMW for having a license plate sticker that was from 1997. His driving pattern resembled that of a drunk driver, and when asked by the officer, he stated “I just slammed a few before coming home.” While at the Palm Beach County Jail, officers found cocaine in his pocket.

In 2009, Iowa State inducted him into the Hall of Fame.

In 2010, he died due to complications of pneumonia post surgery. He was 57.

His mother, Jounice, said of him, “He treated them (his students) with love and respect. He let them know that he expected and encouraged them to be the best in the world they could be.”

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Mike Strachan - 1975 NFL Draft - 9th Round, 216th Overall - New Orleans Saints

Named Offensive Newcomer of the Year for the Big Eight in 1972. Conference Player of the Week vs. Oklahoma State in 1973. Had 1,260 rushing yards in 1972, but didn’t play in the Liberty Bowl. Had 2,364 total rushing yards while at ISU. Had 198 rushing yards against Colorado in 1973 on 40 attempts.

Led the Saints in rushing in 1975. More stats are below.

In 1982, he was indicted on 12 counts of selling cocaine to his teammates by a federal grand jury.

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Brad Storm - 1975 NFL Draft - 12th Round, 288th Overall - Baltimore Colts

Brad Storm is a Cyclone letterwinning linebacker from 1972 to 1975. He was named Big Eight Defensive Player of the Week against Nebraska in 1974. He had two interceptions in a 1974 game against Brigham Young. He is fourth all time with 159 tackles in one season (at the time, it was the highest until Chris Washington came around).

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Andre Roundtree - 1975 NFL Draft - 12th Round, 300th Overall - Detroit Lions

In 1973, he had one interception that he returned for 16 yards. He had two more in 1974, which “includes air-caught fumble”. He finished his career with 132 total tackles, 4 forced fumbles, and 5 fumble recoveries.

Andre Roundtree spent 1976 and 1977 with the Calgary Stampeders and Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

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Tom Goedjen - 1975 NFL Draft - 16th Round, 414th Overall - Minnesota Vikings

Goedjen finished his career with 50 straight PATs. He finished fifth all time with 39 FGs made in his 1972-1974 career. Missed a potential game winning PAT against #3 Nebraska in 1972. Invited to the East-West Shrine Game, Hula Bowl, and Senior Bowl (where he hit a 29 yard field goal). Academic All-American in 1975.

Cut by the Vikings in August 1975.

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Bob Bos - 1976 NFL Draft - 9th Round, 239th Overall - Seattle Seahawks

He wore the number 67 all three seasons he played at Iowa State.

Three year starter, in 1973 was chosen to be on the sophomore All-America team. Second team All-Big 8 in 1975. Co-captain as a senior. Played in Hula Bowl and Japan Bowl.

Bob was a part of the Seahawks first ever draft class in 1976, being picked in the 9th round. Bos made it to training camp, only to tell then head coach Jack Patera that he didn’t have the heart to put out what it took to be a professional football player.

Bos has been with Penske since 1996.

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Greg Pittman - 1976 NFL Draft - 11th Round, 306th Overall - Denver Broncos

Spent one season (1975) at Iowa State at the linebacker position after transfering from Tampa. The 6’2” 215 pound Pittman could bench press almost 400 pounds, making him one of the strongest Cyclones for 1975.

Greg was thought to be one of the top outside linebackers in collegiate ball.

However, he would be cut in August 1976.

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Forry Smith - 1976 NFL Draft - 11th Round, 309th Overall - Buffalo Bills

Forry was the leading receiver on the 1975 squad, having 31 receptions for 493 yards (2 TDs). The split end was the leading receiver for our game @ #16 UCLA, having 5 receptions for 67 yards.

Against Florida State, he only had two receptions for 28 yards.

He signed a contract with the Buffalo Bills on June 7th, 1976 to try and make it through camp and to complement the Bill’s rushing attack.

Unfortunately, the Waterloo High grad would be cut on August 18th, 1976.

Following the short stint in Buffalo, he would go back home and start teaching.

Some may recognize his name from the soap opera Santa Barbara.

Here’s a 2014 interview with Forry.

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Randy Young - 1976 NFL Draft - 11th Round, 339th Overall - Miami Dolphins

Young was a offensive tackle at Iowa State from 1973-1975. He wore the number 70 throughout his career.

Per BUCPOWER.COM:

Played in nine games for the expansion Buccaneers mainly on kick protection and blocking plays. Had been signed as a free agent a month into the season having originally been a 12th round pick of the Miami Dolphins in the 1976 NFL draft. Only missed the Miami game by coincidence after becoming a Buc. Never played in the NFL again after leaving Tampa Bay.

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Luther Blue - 1977 NFL Draft - 4th Round, 96th Overall - Detroit Lions

Luther was an all-Big Eight Conference pick in 1976, as well as leading receiver on the 1976 ISU team with 33 receptions that led him to 644 yards and 5 touchdowns. He caught the first touchdown pass in Jack Trice Stadium history. He still holds ISU record for career kick return average with 1,006 yards on 38 returns, and most notably returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown against #9 Nebraska in a 37-28 win, our first win against Nebraska since 1960. (at the time) With that one kickoff returned for a touchdown in 1976, he led the nation with most kickoff returns with 1.

Per the 2017 Media Guide:

Earned All-America recognition at split end in 1976 ... also an all-Big Eight Conference pick in 1976 ... caught 69 passes for 1,274 yards in his three-year collegiate career ... still holds ISU record for career kick return average with 1,006 yards on 38 returns ... recorded fourth longest kickoff return for a touchdown with his 95-yard return in the 1976 victory over Nebraska ... played in one postseason game, the Senior Bowl ... caught the first touchdown pass in Jack Trice Stadium.

Blue played for the Detroit Lions in 1977-1978 after being drafted by them in the fourth round. His best season was in 1978, when he totaled 350 receiving yards and caught two touchdowns.

He then went to the Eagles in 1980 where he and former Cyclone Keith Krepfle made it to the Super Bowl. In 1981, he went up north to spend the 1981 season as a Toronto Argonaut.

2007 Iowa State Hall of Fame inductee.

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Al Dixon - 1977 NFL Draft - 7th Round, 178th Overall - New York Giants

A three year letterwinner (1974-76) from East Saint Louis, Al was an offensive threat on one of Iowa State’s greatest teams (‘76). He would be invited to play in the North-South game.

Dixon appeared in 79 games during his 1977-1984 career, with his best seasons (as seen below) being 1978 and 1981.

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Otis Rodgers - 1977 NFL Draft - 8th Round, 211th Overall - New York Giants

Two year letterwinner in 1975 and 1976. Invited to 1976 Lion’s Club All American Bowl.

The former defensive end tried to make a switch to linebacker, however, the Giants cut him on September 14th, 1977.

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Dave Greenwood - 1977 NFL Draft - 12th Round, 320th Overall - Detroit Lions

Dave was invited to the 1977 Hula Bowl and the 1977 Japan Bowl. He was one of the captains of the 1976 squad.

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Tom Randall - 1978 NFL Draft - 7th Round, 194th Overall - Dallas Cowboys

From 1974-1977, Tom Randall was a force on the defensive line accumulating 286 total tackles. He was a first team All-Big 8 selection in 1977. He was also Captain of the ‘77 squad that made it to the Peach Bowl against North Carolina State.

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Buddy Hardeman (Undrafted)

A dual threat quarterback from 1973-1976, Hardeman had over 1500 yards on the ground and over 1400 yards in the air, scoring a combined 26 touchdowns. Arguably his most interesting game as a Cyclone came against Oklahoma State his freshman year.

Hardeman was awarded a 74-yard touchdown when officials ruled Buddy would have scored if it hadn’t been for Cowboy Deacon Stephens running from the sideline to tackle Hardeman at the Oklahoma State 36 in the fourth quarter. Iowa State would win 28-12 over the 18th ranked Cowboys.

In his 1978 season with the Toronto Argonauts, he caught four passes for 37 yards in addition to 12 yards on the ground.

He would spend 1979 and 1980 with the Redskins, playing in a total of 25 games and accumulating of 1,200 total yards.

On September 23rd, 1979, Hardeman caught a pass from Joe Theismann which resulted in a 41 yard scoring play to help the Redskins beat the Cardinals 17-7.

Per the 2006 Media Guide, “He was a member of the inaugural Washington Federals (USFL) squad in 1983, where he caught 18 passes for 114 yards.”

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Mike Stensrud - 1979 NFL Draft - 2nd Round, 31st Overall - Houston Oilers

Had 306 overall tackles as a Cyclone.

Senior year, he was invited to the Hula Bowl and the Senior Bowl. All-American Defensive Tackle in 1978.

The Forest City native played in the NFL from 1979-1989.

1994 article about Stensrud.

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Dexter Green (Undrafted)

Dexter Green (May 20, 1957 - May 11, 2003) is the Cyclone’s third-leading career rusher with 3,437 yards. Dexter Green also scored 38 touchdowns in his career, leading to 228 points which makes he and Troy Davis Iowa State’s (non-kicker) scoring leaders. One of nine ISU players to rush for 200 yards in a game with a 214-yard effort against Missouri in 1976.

He was also a two-time all-Big Eight tailback. He also played in two bowl games for Iowa State, the 1977 Peach Bowl and the 1978 Hall of Fame Bowl.

Green was selected to the Hula and Japan Bowls.

In 1979, he tried out with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but didn’t make the team. He ended up playing two games for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, amassing 64 yards running and 25 yards receiving.

Iowa State Hall of Fame Class of 2000.

He would pass away due to cancer on the same day Ennis Haywood also died.