When important players on a team leave, someone has to take their place. In the case of the Cyclones, the running backs have some cleats to fill.

Last season, 96% of the carries by running backs were produced by the same two players. Following the departure of former head coach Matt Campbell, both of these players transferred out of Iowa State. 

With their departures, the spots at the top remain open for new players to take their place as the starter for the Cyclones.

Here is a little bit about each player in the running back room this season and how they could take the open spot as a starter.

Cameron Pettaway

Pettaway is a redshirt sophomore from Bowling Green University. Pettaway was the kick returner for the Falcons and won many accolades as their returner. He won Mid-American Conference (MAC) Freshman of the Year, First Team All-MAC, Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and Second Team All-MAC.

Pettaway, last season, had 12 return attempts for 396 yards with one touchdown for 98 yards. Pettaway also had 72 carries, rushing for 365 yards. Along with rushing, Pettaway was also viable as a receiver with eight receptions for 139 yards and two touchdowns.

Pettaway is a multi-threat player who will be a weapon for the Cyclones. With a whole new Cyclones team this year and with the departure of two star running backs from the team, Pettaway’s addition to the team will be huge for the Cyclones. 

Salahadin Allah

Allah joins the new Cyclones team this year after playing two seasons at Oregon State University. Allah has proven himself to be a good short ground carrier with the Beavers and hopes to do the same with the Cyclones.

Allah had 71 yards on 19 carries last season with a long of 16 yards. 

Allah will have to sit this season due to a torn Achilles. For more information on this, go here.

Aiden Flora

Flora is one of the Cyclones’ few returning players from the 2025-26 season. The redshirt sophomore showed his potential last season with his kick returning. Flora received many accolades last season. He received second team All-Big 12 by the coaches, third team All-Big 12 from Phil Steele, along with Big 12 Special Teams player of the week in week 1 and week 12 of the 2025-26 season.

Flora had four carries last season for 58 yards and one touchdown, along with two receptions for 25 yards. Flora’s main work came in punt and kick returns, with 16 attempts between the two. 

Flora produced eight returns for punts and eight for kickoffs, with 209 yards and one touchdown off punts and 171 yards off kickoffs, with his longest going for 34 yards. Flora’s one touchdown came at a clutch moment for the Cyclones, giving them the lead over TCU in a very close game.

Flora has proven to be a vital ball carrier for the Cyclones, likely to earn him the starting position this season. His explosive running will pair very well with the new offense Jimmy Rogers is putting together.

Ryver Peppers

Ryver Peppers will be a redshirt freshman this season for the Cyclones. Peppers was a very promising recruit coming out of Fort Osage, Missouri, last season. However, he had suffered a season-ending injury in his first snap against Colorado.

Coming into college, Peppers had a very good high school career, rushing for over 4,200 yards and 65 touchdowns throughout all four seasons. His senior season was cut short due to an injury, but Peppers was still able to rush for 621 yards and eight touchdowns in six games. 

Peppers looks to join the Cyclones again this season after his injury and compete. 

Easton Miller

Miller is a veteran cyclone, having played three seasons with the Cyclones. Miller comes into the 2026-27 season as a redshirt junior. Miller hasn’t seen much action on the field throughout his years, but he still has had an impact with the Cyclones on special teams.

The most action as a ball carrier Miller has seen was against South Dakota this past season, where he rushed for 23 yards on four carries. Last season, Miller saw a lot of action on the defensive side of the ball. He racked up six total tackles, with four of them being solo and two being assisted.

Miller may not get the most action carrying the ball, but he still brings a lot of competition within this running back room.

Wyatt Archer

Archer is also a veteran Cyclone, having joined the team during the 2023-24 season. Archer has not seen much action on the field during his years with Iowa State. He has been on the field during snaps but has not received any carries. 

Archer also looks to compete for playing time this season.

Conclusion

This season’s running backs for the Cyclones are definitely a watching point for this team. With the two main running backs transferring out, the starting position at running back is wide open for new competition to take their place at the top.

Flora has put on a strong showing to be at the top this season following his 2025-26 season. 

The newcomer Pettaway proved that he can be a top running back as well with his outing last season with Bowling Green. 

Peppers is also just starting his college career and looks to seek that starting spot following his injury. 

Veterans Miller and Archer also have room to prove themselves to be at that top spot for the Cyclones, with a room full of younger players.

Who will take their place at the top?