There will be a spotlight on Iowa State throughout the 2025 college football season.
After going 11-3 in 2024, the Cyclones entered the new season as one of four Big 12 teams among the AP's preseason top 25 rankings. Leading the way is quarterback Rocco Becht, a redshirt junior who is in his third season as QB1 in Ames, Iowa.
Becht was named Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2023 and as a sophomore, threw for 3,021 yards and 20 touchdowns to just eight interceptions, while adding another eight touchdowns on the ground.
If the name sounds familiar, it should come as no surprise that football runs in the Becht family. Here's more to know about how Iowa State's QB is following in the footsteps of another famous Becht.
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Is Rocco Becht related to Anthony Becht?
Yes, Rocco Becht is Anthony Becht's son.
Rolling into Season 3… go take what’s yours❤️#ProudDad pic.twitter.com/TXXALR7H2Y
— Anthony Becht (@Anthony_Becht) August 18, 2025
Anthony was a star tight end at West Virginia and a first-round pick in the 2000 NFL Draft. He enjoyed an 11-year NFL career and is now the head coach of the UFL's St. Louis Battlehawks.
Rocco is the son of Anthony and his wife, DeeAnn. In addition to Rocco, the couple has a daughter, Olivia.
During the 2024 season, Anthony's induction into the West Virginia Hall of Fame was honored when the Mountaineers hosted Rocco and the Cyclones. While Anthony was inducted wearing his West Virginia gear, the rest of the family was representing Iowa State and Anthony later revealed he was wearing his son's jersey underneath his West Virginia sweatshirt.
A true @WVUfootball legend- @Anthony_Becht 🐐
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 13, 2024
(House divided tonight for dad and son, @RoccoBecht? 😅 🤝) pic.twitter.com/fvJR8NyF0x
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Anthony Becht career timeline
After his four years at West Virginia, Becht was selected by the Jets with the 27th overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft. In addition to New York, Becht played with the Buccaneers, Rams, Cardinals, and Chiefs.
- 1995-99: West Virginia
- 2000-04: New York Jets
- 2005-07: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- 2008: St. Louis Rams
- 2009: Arizona Cardinals
- 2011: Kansas City Chiefs
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Anthony Becht career stats
Here are the stats from the course of Becht's 11 seasons in the NFL.
| Season | Team | Games | Rec | Yards | TD |
| 2000 | Jets | 14 | 16 | 144 | 2 |
| 2001 | Jets | 16 | 36 | 321 | 5 |
| 2002 | Jets | 16 | 28 | 243 | 5 |
| 2003 | Jets | 16 | 40 | 356 | 4 |
| 2004 | Jets | 16 | 13 | 100 | 1 |
| 2005 | Buccaneers | 16 | 16 | 112 | 0 |
| 2006 | Buccaneers | 16 | 18 | 115 | 1 |
| 2007 | Buccaneers | 16 | 5 | 20 | 2 |
| 2008 | Rams | 16 | 6 | 39 | 0 |
| 2009 | Cardinals | 16 | 7 | 61 | 1 |
| 2011 | Chiefs | 9 | 3 | 26 | 0 |
| Career | 167 | 188 | 1,537 | 21 |
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Rocco Becht stats
Becht compiled impressive numbers through his first two full seasons on the field at Iowa State.
| Season | Class | Games | Comp/Att | Yards | Pass TDs | Int | Rush TDs |
| 2022 | FR | 3 | 7/15 | 65 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | R-FR | 13 | 231/367 | 3,120 | 23 | 8 | 3 |
| 2024 | R-SO | 14 | 271/456 | 3,505 | 25 | 9 | 8 |
| Career | 30 | 509/838 | 6,690 | 48 | 18 | 11 |