We’re almost done, now that it’s 2020 lots of these names will be more familiar than prior editions.

Previous editions: 1920s-1930s, 1940s-1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and the 1990s.

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2000s (39)

The LIFE Images Collection/Getty

Darren Davis - Four Seasons in the CFL

Darren Davis didn’t live up to the Heisman billing his brother got, but he still had over 1,000 rushing yards every season from 1997-1999.

@CycloneFB

He didn’t due to well on his Wonderlic, he got a 4, according to this 2011 Bleacher Report article which is also where the below bio comes from.

Davis owns the Iowa State record for career rushing attempts (823) and is second all-time in rushing and total yards behind his brother, Troy, who played in the NFL for three seasons with the New Orleans Saints.

Darren led the Big 12 in rushing yards in 1999 with 1,388 and finished with 26 career touchdowns. He was passed over in the NFL draft and opted to pursue a career in the Canadian Football League alongside his brother.

In 2000-2001, Darren rushed for 1,024 and 1,243 yards with the Saskatchewan Rough Riders, where he was among the CFL’s best running backs. He was released by Ottawa following the 2003 season after serving as a backup for two years.

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Reggie Hayward - 2001 NFL Draft - 3rd Round, 87th Overall - Denver Broncos

Regarded as the first “blue-chip” recruit of the McCarney era in 1997, Hayward would have an All-Big 12 résumé in 1999 and 2000. In 2000, he led the team in tackles for loss, and had a career high of 17 tackles against Texas A&M in 2000. He would be a member of the 2000 Hula Bowl where he was named Defensive MVP. He would also play in the East-West Shrine game that postseason.

Hayward had a great Cyclone career, appearing in 43 games from 1997-2000. The Dolton defender finished with 229 tackles, 16.5 sacks, 27.5 tackles for loss and five fumbles forced and recovered.

From 2001-2009, Hayward started 59 of the 92 games he appeared in. He also deflected 18 passes, forced seven fumbles and recovered five.

Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

He also had 54 tackles for loss, 39.5 sacks and 144 solo tackles (he assisted on 33 more).

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Harry How/ALLSPORT

Sage Rosenfels - 2001 NFL Draft - 4th Round, 109th Overall - Washington Redskins

Sage, a Maquoketa native, came to Iowa State as a quarterback that could get it done in the air and on the ground (especially in the famed 2000 season). He passed for a total of 4,168 yards and 18 touchdowns in his four seasons, and rushed for 14 more.

Professionally, Sage played from 2001-2011, often holding clipboards, but sometimes either making NFL records (four touchdown passes in the 4th Quarter) or holding clipboards, this loyal son forever true had one of the longest NFL careers as a Cyclone.

Following his career, he can be found either around football or politics, or even in a tent dinking meatballs with the author of this series.

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James Reed - 2001 NFL Draft - 7th Round, 206th Overall - New York Jets

The six foot Saginaw, Michigan native appeared in 44 games during his 1997-2000 Cyclone career. He finished with 333 tackles, 14 sacks, 31 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Professionally, he appeared in 99 games in which he started 32 of them. He had 230 tackles as a pro, 19 tackles for loss, seven sacks and four fumble recoveries including one touchdown on a 33 yard return against the Jaguars on Week 3 of the 2005 season.

In 2008, he was signed by the Saints but a season ending injury ruined Reed’s chance of wearing the number 60.

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Mike Banks - 2002 NFL Draft - 7th Round, 223rd Overall - Arizona Cardinals

A three year tight end for the Cyclones from 1999-2001, Banks finished with 584 receiving yards, he averaged 9.9 yards per catch.

He did not play in either the 2000 Insight.com Bowl or the 2001 Mainstay Independence Bowl, it appears.

Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

He appeared in 18 games for the Cardinals.

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J.J. Moses - NFL Europe and NFL UDFA

ISU Athletics Communications

Moses, a 5’6” receiver, finished his career with 1,071 receiving yards, 273 rushing yards, 378 punt return yards and 787 kick return yards.

Professionally, Moses had appeared in 34 NFL games, returning 128 kickoffs for a total of 2,904 yards.

Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

He was fired from his role as director of player engagement in late January 2020.

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Andy Stensrud - NFL Europe

Moses and Stensrud were teammates on the Scottish Claymores roster. Moses led NFL Europe in punt returns (11.2 avg) and was third in kickoff returns (24.6). He also had the league’s longest punt return of the season, a 68-yarder against Barcelona in Week 1. After spending the first couple of weeks on the Claymores’ practice squad, Stensrud played in six of the team’s ten games, starting twice at right tackle.

Stensrud also played five games with the British Columbia Lions in 2002.

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Nigel Tharpe - NFL Europe

Tharpe, started all ten games for the Galaxy in Spring 2002. He totaled 13 tackles, broke up two passes, forced two fumbles and had two sacks.

Photo by Tami Tomsic/Getty Images

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Ennis Haywood - Practice Squad

Ennis (December 5, 1979 – May 11, 2003) led the Big 12 in rushing in his junior and senior season, and finished with a tally of 2,862 yards and 27 rushing touchdowns.

In the 2000 Insight.com Bowl, Haywood rushed 21 times for 75 yards and a touchdown, he also caught one pass for fifteen yards. Against Alabama, in the 2001 MainStay Independence Bowl, Haywood had 135 yards on 20 carries against a Crimson Tide defense that had allowed 48 yards on the 59 rushes prior to the bowl.

Haywood was a part of the Cowboys practice squad in 2002, and, he was competing for a roster spot in 2003 when tragically, a mixture of his asthma medications and alcohol killed him.

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2000 Media Guide

Kevin DeRonde - NFL Europe

The Pella native was a key figure in Iowa State’s defensive line prowess from 2000. He was a team captain in 2001.

Wayne Paulo

My notes show that he spent time with the Cowboys and overseas with the short lived NFL Europe, winning a World Bowl with the Berlin Thunder in 2004. He finished his career with the Frankfurt Galaxy in 2005, he garnered six sacks as an NFL Europe player.

Until 2012, DeRonde worked with cancer patients and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes down in Des Moines. He is still in the medicinal field.

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Cory Hannen - UDFA (2002)

The Hiawatha native was a four year letterwinner from 1998-2001, Hannen (67) was an offensive lineman who signed a free agent contract (along with Ames High grad Jamie Burrow) with the Jets in 2002, only to not play.

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Lorenzo White (UDFA)

White was an offensive line starter for both the 2000 Insight.com Bowl and 2001 MainStay Independence Bowl. Before becoming a Cyclone, White spent two years at Blinn (TX) Junior College. White was signed by the Vikings in July 2002, and later sent to Europe to play for the Frankfurt Galaxy.

Lorenzo was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat, so he decided to take a new career path. White currently works at Woodward Academy in Woodward, Iowa.

”Woodward Academy is a juvenile delinquent treatment facility for kids from ages 13 to 18,” White said. “A lot of the kids made poor choices. We have counseling and I was there for a year before moving up to being a supervisor. Now I’m in charge of developing a treatment plan for each student and I also coach football.”

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Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Seneca Wallace - 2003 NFL Draft - 4th Round, 110th Overall - Seattle Seahawks

Seneca Wallace. The Man. The Myth. The Run. The Legend.

The first Cyclone that made me love Iowa State Athletics because I was five. Oh, and because of the above shadow numbers, but, this is about Seneca.

Wallace almost played cornerback for Oregon State in 1998, but ended up going to Sacramento City College to be closer to his mother. While at SCC, he threw for 513 yards in one game. At Iowa State, he was a true dual threat, beating people on the ground or in the air, like when he rightfully torched Baylor on 22/24 passing in 2001.

In the Mainstay Independence Bowl and Crucial.com Humanitarian Bowl VI, Wallace went 25/42 for 284 yards and 13/38 for 107 yards in respective bowls.

This 2019 Cyclone Hall of Fame inductee had a spent most of his pro career with the Seahawks, but bounced around later in his career as seen in the above photo gallery.

While at Green Bay, he was the first African American quarterback to start a game there.

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ISU Athletic Communications

Zach Butler - UDFA

The Iowa City native snubbed his local college in order to come play for Dan McCarney who played at Iowa with his dad. The three year letterwinner (1999, 2001-02) on some of Iowa State’s best teams. He is one of a few Cyclones ever to play in the East-West Shrine Game. In 2002, he won the team given Reuben J. Miller award (Player whose conduct on and off the field of play stamps him as having made the greatest contribution to Iowa State football for the year) along with defensive back Atif Austin. Zach was also second team All-Big 12 according to AP in 2002.

In 2003, he signed a free agent deal with the Carolina Panthers, but didn’t stay on the team long enough to be a part of the Super Bowl squad.

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Jeremy Loyd - UDFA

The Pittsburg (Texas) native only played in 2001 and 2002, but in that time he had 171 tackles. His best moment as a Cyclone came against Iowa in 2002. Late in the 3rd quarter, he tackled Hawkeye running back Aaron Greving for a safety.

Professionally, he played with the Rams in 2003 and 2005, appearing in 14 games and recording nine tackles.

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Jordan Carstens - Undrafted Free Agent - Carolina Panthers

Jordan Carstens was the defensive scout team player of the year in 1999, after being the last player to be able to walk-on. Carstens was a first-team Academic All-American in 2002.He was second team All-Big 12 in 2002, as well as co-captain in both 2002 and 2003.

He would be selected to the 2004 Senior Bowl that featured Matt Schaub and Nate Kaeding.

Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images/Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images

“Jordan is an unbelievable guy,” said Dan McCarney. “He has been playing hurt all year and he keeps coming back week after week; a great motivator. “He will play in the NFL and will have a long career, unless by serious injury. He’s got everything [the NFL] is looking for.”

Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

He would spend 2004-2006 with the Carolina Panthers. His best season would be 2005 in which he started 15/16 games and totaled 23 tackles and four sacks. Unfortunately, he had to retire in 2006 with kidney related health issues.

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Lane Danielsen - Undrafted Free Agent - Minnesota Vikings

Danielsen, a real speedster for his day, could be best compared to Trever Ryen. He only appeared in seven games in 2000, but his game winning touchdown reception against Oklahoma State started his rise to Cyclone success.

broncosports.com

2002 found Danielsen 1,073 receiving yards on one of the best offenses to blaze the Kentucky bluegrass in Ames and the actually-blue grass of Boise. He was the leading ISU receiver in the bowl game with 47 receiving yards on four catches and a rushing touchdown. He finished with 2,900 career yards from scrimmage and 19 touchdowns.

He was cut by the Vikings on September 4, 2004.

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Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Lance Young - 2004 NFL Preseason

Before coming to Iowa State, Young signed with Wisconsin in 1999 before transferring to Coffeyville (Kansas) Community College.

Young had nine receptions in 2001, but three of those receptions were for touchdowns. 2002-2003 saw an uptick in his production, 75 receptions for 1171 yards and seven touchdowns.

He ran a 4.48 40 yar ddash on turf.

Young, who had changed his number changed to 18 when he went to the Cincinnati Bengals was picked up in April and waived on August 23.

In the Bengals surprising preseason upset of the 2003 Super Bowl winning New England Patriots, Young caught a 17 yard pass from Casey Bramlet with 2:04 left in the game.

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Ellis Hobbs III - 2005 NFL Draft - 3rd Round, 84th Overall - New England Patriots

Ellis Hobbs came to Iowa State after having an outstanding high school career in DeSoto, Texas where he was a dual threat at running back and cornerback.

At Iowa State, Hobbs finished with 209 total tackles, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and 29 pass deflections. The 2004 First Team All-Big 12 player had a perfect send off in Iowa State’s Independence Bowl victory over Miami (OH) with a game sealing interception.

Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Professionally, Hobbs played for the Patriots and Eagles from 2005-2010, picking off ten passes (including the only one in Super Bowl XLII) and gathering 225 tackles.

Additionally, he also returned a kickoff a then record 108 yards at the Jets in 2007.

He had to retire because of an injury sustained in November 2010 against the Giants.

Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images

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Tyson Smith - UDFA

Smith was a four year starter at Iowa State. The Dowling grad finished with 225 tackles and 12.5 sacks.

He played for ten professional teams from 2005-2010.

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Tim Dobbins - 2006 NFL Draft - 5th Round, 151st Overall - San Diego Chargers

The 2004 Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year, earned second-team honors in 2004. He would finish his Cyclone career with 164 tackles, three career interceptions, 11 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks.

Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Dobbins would also spend time with the Dolphins and the Texans. Dobbins would finish his NFL career (2006-2013) with 195 total tackles, 6 forced fumbles, 7 fumble recoveries, 3 interceptions, and 2 sacks.

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Photo by G. N. Lowrance/Getty Images

Aaron Brant - 2007 NFL Draft - 7th Round, 241st Overall - Chicago Bears

Started all but two games as a Cyclone offensive lineman. Began 2006 season ranked among the top 13 offensive tackles in college football by The Sporting News. Brant was a four-year starter and three-time all-Big 12 selection at Iowa State. He played in all 48 games, starting 46 of those games.

Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Per Wikipedia: “Brant was waived on August 15, 2007 due to problems with his knees. Brant was the first drafted player to be cut in their first season by General Manager Jerry Angelo.”

He was part of Cornell College’s coaching staff in 2010.

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Cyclone Football - Twitter

Brent “Big Play” Curvey - UDFA (2007), CFL and Arena Football

Curvey’s bio from our Top 50 series:

“To this day, Brent “Big Play” Curvey is considered one of the best to play on the defensive line for Iowa State, ranking 3rd all-time on Iowa State’s career sack chart. During the 2003 season, Curvey made his debut as a freshman, playing in eleven games. His career high actually came as a freshman, recording a total of 14 tackles against Kansas State. Curvey finished the season with 63 total tackles and two sacks.

Brent had a tendency to come up big in critical situations, and make big play after big play. “Big Play” totaled three defensive touchdowns in his career, an extremely high mark for an interior defensive lineman. Arguably, the most memorable of those touchdowns was his pick-six against Colorado in 2005. Curvey sensed a screen pass and stood right in the path of the throw, taking in back to the house for a Cyclone score.

Curvey finished his Iowa State career with 17 sacks and 222 total tackles. The Cyclone defender was named All Big 12 Defensive Lineman in 2005 as well as many awards within the Iowa State program. Before his senior season, Sporting News rated Curvey as one of the nation’s top 20 defensive lineman.”

Photo by Getty Images

His NFL career was short as Brent was signed by the Panthers (where he wore Carsten’s 67) around May 1, 2007 and released around August 26th.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders picked him up for 2007-2008, where he won a Grey Cup in 2007 against Crucial.com Humanitarian Bowl VI quarterback Ryan Dinwiddie.

Brent Curvey - Facebook

Following his stint up North, Curvey returned to Iowa in 2009 and played until 2011.

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Photo by Sean Gallagher/Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images

Scott Stephenson - UDFA

Stephenson played two years (2002 and 2003) at the University of Minnesota as a defensive tackle, where he wore the number 50. He recorded a sack on his very first play as a Gopher.

In 2003, Scott had five tackles, one tackle for loss and one pass breakup.

“I like to hit people - that’s the way I can put it. I get to hit people more on offense than on defense,” Stephenson told The Courier’s Jim Sullivan in 2005.

In 2005, after redshirting the 2004 season, Stephenson started every game at center earning First Team AP All-Big 12 honors. 2006, he was on the Rimington Award Watch List and was one of the Top 20 centers in the country according to Sporting News.

Photo by Getty Images

Stephenson, #59 for the Browns, sprained his ankle in the rookie minicamp which led to him not sticking to the roster. At one time, he was compared to Jeff Saturday for his quickness and intelligence as a center.

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LaMarcus Hicks - UDFA (2007-2008)

The Clarksdale, Mississippi native transferred from Coahoma CC, and made a quick impact earning First Team All-Big 12 in 2004. He was conference player of the week vs. Iowa and Oklahoma State in 2005. In the 2005 Iowa game, he returned an interception 28 yards for a touchdown.

He, along with Nick Leaders, would take part in the Las Vegas Bowl. Hicks would also be a All-Big 12 First Team cornerback in 2006.

Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

He would spend two seasons with the Detroit Lions, and accumulate 12 total tackles.

He has had many coaching jobs in his post NFL career, and currently he is the Secondary Coach for Bowling Green.

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BILL NEIBERGALL/THE REGISTER

Jason Berryman - Acquired by Bengals but played with Iowa Barnstormers

Also from our Top 50 series:

“Jason (February 18, 1985 - January 8, 2014) may have been one of the most talented players to ever play for Dan McCarney during his time at Iowa State, but he would ultimately find himself making some poor decisions off the field, which led to his dismissal from the team in 2006.

Photo by Sean Gallagher/Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images

During the 2003 season Berryman burst on to the scene, being named Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year while finishing second on the team with 110 total tackles, leading all NCAA freshman that year. Berryman recorded a career high 16 tackles with one sack against Kansas State that season.

Photo by Ned Dishman/Getty Images

Berryman would sit the 2004 season out after serving a jail sentence, but would return to the team for the 2005 season and lead the Cyclones to the Houston Bowl on the back of 60 total tackles and four sacks.

DOUG WELLS/THE REGISTER

He would play one of his best games in a Cyclone in Houston, totaling 12 tackles and 5.5 sacks in the bowl game, which would be his final game as a Cyclone.”

DOUG WELLS/THE REGISTER

The Bengals added him around January 2, 2007 and designated #84, er, #54 NFL Europe but by May 2nd they let him go.

The Barnstormers picked him up in 2008, but he didn’t last long as he got arrested for marijuana possession and then suspended come June 2008.

He was found dead in his home in Jefferson, Texas, in 2014.

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Photo on right by DENVER POST PHOTO BY HYOUNG CHANG

Steve Paris - Free Agent - Baltimore Ravens

In 48 games at Iowa State, Paris started 25 times. He finished his career with 176 tackles (115 solos), including 4.5 stops for losses of 8 yards.

HARRY BAUMERT/THE REGISTER

Steve recovered three fumbles for a total of 121 yards in return yardage with a touchdown and also gained 115 yards on eight interceptions with one being a pick six.

Professionally, he spent time in the USA and abroad spending 2006 in Baltimore and 2007 in Berlin with the Thunder where he wore the number 28.

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NationalChamps.net

Nick Leaders - Free Agent - Baltimore Ravens

Nick was a four year letterwinner nose guard from 2002-2005. The Omaha native won the Pete Taylor MVP award in 2005. He, along with fellow first team all-Big 12 players Brent Curvey and LaMarcus Hicks, allowed a record low 102.7 rushing yards a game. He would finish his Cyclone career with 262 career tackles, 15 sacks and 33 1/2 tackles for loss.

Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images

Professionally, he would be on the Ravens practice squad until November 2006.

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Photo by Ronald Martinez /Getty Images

Tony Yelk - Camp Invite - Atlanta Falcons

Yelk averaged 42.3 yards per punt. He was a four-year letterwinner for the Cyclones and an All-Big 12 Conference and Freshman All-American.

He would appear with the Falcons in 2006.

Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

He would also appear on the practice squads of the Jaguars and Edmonton Eskimos.

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Landon Schrage - Free Agent - Baltimore Ravens

The deep snapper found a short amount of time in the 410.

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Alvin Bowen - 2008 NFL Draft - 5th Round, 147th Overall - Buffalo Bills

“Ace”, as he was known, finished his career with 188 tackles. In 2006 he was a first team All-Big 12 and led the nation in average tackles per game with 12.91. He had a career high 20 tackles in a 3OT win against Toledo.

Alvin also took part in two compliance linebacker videos in the style of Terry Tate’s office linebacker series.

He was drafted by the Bills, but he got hurt, and then spent the remainder of 2009 with the Redskins. In late November 2009, Alvin would be promoted to the active Washington roster with the jersey number 55.

Bowen was one of four linebackers added to the Saskatchewan Roughriders roster in March 2012, but was released about a month later. The Calgary Stampeders picked him up on October 10, 2012 where he would stay until October 13, 2014.

The ‘Riders picked him up again in 2014, with Bowen being signed October 23 and released November 13.

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Ahtyba Rubin - 2008 NFL Draft - 6th Round, 190th Overall - Cleveland Browns

Rubin, a transfer from Trinity Valley CC played in nine games during the 2006 Cyclone football season accumulating one sack, four tackles for loss and 34 tackles.

Brad Fuller

2007 saw Rubin play in every game, tackling a total of 42 times and sacking a total of 1.5 times.

Throughout Rubin’s 143 game career, he has accrued: 15 sacks, 428 tackles, 23 tackles for loss and two interceptions.

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Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Bret Meyer - Camp Invite - Washington Redskins

He was the 2004 Independence Bowl offensive MVP. In 2005 against Texas A&M, Meyer had a career day, throwing for four touchdowns (all to Blythe) and 371 yards in total. Going into his senior season (2006), Bret was the leader in returning quarterbacks with 7,979 total offensive yards. He’d finish his career with 10,422 yards of total offense.

He would be invited to a Redskins training camp in 2008.

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Todd Blythe - Camp Invite - New Orleans Saints

One of the best receivers ever in Iowa State history, Blythe still holds the following records: career receptions (176), career receiving yards (3,096), career receiving touchdowns (31), season receiving touchdowns (9 in 2004 and 2005), and he also has the most receiving touchdowns in a game with 4 against Texas A&M in 2005.

Todd Blythe’s Myspace

He spent time with the Saints in 2008, but most of his professional days came with the Iowa Barnstormers.

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Ben Barkema - Camp Invite - Cleveland Browns

Barkema caught 52 passes for 566 yards and four touchdowns from 2003-2007.

I have no photographic proof of Barkema in a Browns uniform, just his bio from Missouri State in his role as an assistant coach/tight ends.

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Matt Purvis - Rookie Training Camp Invite - Chicago Bears

A two year long snapper for Iowa State appeared briefly at a Chicago Bears rookie training camp in 2008.

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Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman

Jon Banks - NFL Preseason

Banks played one year of football at Iowa Central CC before transferring to Iowa State. In 2005, he saw action every game on special teams and by 2006 he found himself as a safety for five games and seven games as a SAM linebacker.

He had the third most tackles on the team with 99. He garnered 13 tackles against Nebraska, a career high.

Photo by NFL via Getty Images

In the 2008 preseason, Banks tallied two tackles and assisted on one more. He also found time with Minnesota.

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cyclones.com

Doug Dedrick - Camp Invite - Houston Texans

The Tempe, Arizona native and Scottsdale CC transfer started all 24 games as Iowa State’s left tackle. He was named the 2007 Outstanding Newcomer of the Year, and this 2008 article from cyclones.com outlines expectations he had for the upcoming season.

The Houston Texans would sign him on April 26, 2009.

He was released on June 24, 2009.

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cyclones.com

Michael Bibbs - Camp Invite - Green Bay Packers

Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images

According to cyclones.com:

“Bibbs made 67 tackles the past two seasons in 19 Iowa State games. He also had 4.5 tackles for loss and 53 yards of interception returns on two picks. Bibbs had a career-high nine tackles in the 2008 season opener against South Dakota State. The Atlanta, Ga. native came to ISU after two years at Copiah-Lincoln (Miss.) Community College.”

The 6’1” 234 pound linebacker was signed on April 28, 2009.

The Atlanta native spent 2011 with the Trenton Steel in the Southern Indoor Football League before leaving in May of that year. In November, Bibbs found himself in Harrisburg with the Stampede.