Iowa State could benefit from a returning connection between quarterback Rocco Becht and UCF transfer Xavier Townsend.
Adding Becht’s old friend in Townsend could give the Cyclones another wide-receiver threat down the field.
Rocco Becht and Xavier Townsend are Back Together
Becht and Townsend were friends growing up in the Tampa area and are now set to be teammates in Ames this upcoming season.
For @DMRegister/@DMRCyclones–It’s funny how life works. Childhood friends Xavier Townsend and Rocco Becht reunited more than 1,000 miles away from home, when Townsend, a UCF transfer, took his talents to @CycloneFB.
The WR is one of their top additions: https://t.co/ahhAGrRB5w
— Eugene Rapay (@erapay5) April 1, 2025
As insider Eugene Repay noted in a recent article, the two have reunited more than 1,000 miles away from home. As seen all across sports, great friends can make the best of teammates. Look at Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams in the NFL.
Look at what the Golden State Warriors have done in the NBA over the last decade. When great friends work well together, great things happen.
What is Xavier Townsend Bringing to Iowa State?
The former UCF Knight had been looking for a real opportunity to make some magic happen on the field, and he might have a great chance to do just that at Iowa State. His best collegiate season came in 2023 when he recorded 33—receptions for 325 yards and three touchdowns. He also recorded 15 carries for 163 yards that year.
He has been more of a No. 2 wide receiver throughout his collegiate career. But the 5’11”, 185-pound pass catcher brings plenty of speed and agility to create open spaces down the field.
Senior wide receivers Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins recorded over 1,000 yards in their final seasons playing for the Cyclones, so someone will have to replace a little bit of that production.
Townsend should help a little, and sophomore wide receiver Carson Brown taking another step could be key, too.
If Becht (3,021 passing yards, 27 total touchdowns) can replicate his play from a season ago, the 10-win Cyclones could pick up right where they left off last season.
KEEP READING: Jayden Higgins’ Emphatic Response When Asked About Rocco Becht
But make no mistake about it: Townsend’s addition is a huge win for the program both on the field and in the locker room.
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