ANALYSIS: ISU's Running Back Room Will SHOCK The Big 12 With New Running Back Arnold Barnes III

Iowa State Cyclones enter the season with a wide-open running back battle—can Arnold Barnes become the breakout star Jimmy Rogers hints he could be? Nick Marovets spotlights commentaries from Big 12 Media Days, analyzing Barnes’ transfer impact and why key teammate endorsements matter. With the Cyclones’ backfield depth chart still uncertain, every spot is up for grabs as players like Cam Pettaway, Aiden Flora, and River Peppers push for bigger roles. Marovets breaks down the strengths of Iowa State’s running game, the statistical profiles of top contenders, and how Jalen Rayner’s dual-threat ability might shape the offense. Major questions surface about the reliability of the wide receiver corps versus the versatile ground attack. Can the Cyclones’ commitment to a dynamic run game tip the balance in the Big 12? Don’t miss this in-depth look at how Iowa State’s evolving offensive identity could define their 2026 campaign.   Image Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images   Everydayer ClubIf you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!   Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started now.   FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.