New Iowa State quarterback Jaylen Raynor throws early in fall camp. Photo courtesy Iowa State Athletics.
AMES — Jaylen Raynor ended his Arkansas State career with 36 consecutive starts at quarterback.
That’s 13 more starts than all of his new team, Iowa State’s, short list of returning players have combined for — and it’s that unrivaled experience the talented dual-threat play caller is leaning upon as he adapts to an entirely new system.
“All of the reps since January meetings and things like that just continue to help me build confidence,” said Raynor, who will verbalize each of his offensive teammates duties before every play for the first time in his long-spanning career. “It can be a lot, but it’s something you sign up for, something you want as a quarterback, challenging yourself. It comes down to being able to study (and) retain information. It’s kind of fun to do it once you say all of those words and everybody just goes out and does exactly what they’re supposed to do. It’s an amazing feeling.”
That’s not all that’s changed for the 6-1, 208-pound Winston-Salem, N.C. native who gave ISU’s defense fits in a narrow 24-16 loss last season in Jonesboro, Ark. Raynor thrived in Arkansas State’s power spread offense and plans to do the same in Cyclone offensive coordinator Tyler Roehl’s pro-style system. That means lining up under center a lot more after operating mostly out of the shotgun formation, and that shift in scheme has been accompanied by the aforementioned and welcomed learning curve.
Just ask fellow Arkansas State transfer Tyler Fortenberry.
“Jaylen’s in the facility at least 12 hours a day even if we just had workouts for two hours a day,” said Fortenberry, a 6-5, 245-pound tight end who caught two touchdown passes from Raynor last season. “So everything’s pretty smooth for him. He (was) in here watching (season-opening foe Southeast Missouri State) film two months ago, so I think it’s pretty easy for Jaylen just because of the work that he puts in.”
That work commingles with a natural and commanding leadership style that, as Roehl said, makes his teammates want to follow him. But when did Raynor — who accounted for 67 total touchdowns in the last three seasons — know he possessed the leadership qualities on full display now?
“Maybe high school?” Raynor said rhetorically. “Being able to lead a junior varsity team, I guess is kind of the same way. Middle school basketball — I’ve just kind of always been that type of guy to want everything a certain way. Like, things done the right way, and, obviously, most importantly, I like to win. So I’m gonna do whatever it takes to put my team in the best position to win at the end of the day.”
Whether Raynor helps the Cyclones buck the long odds the face to win at a high clip in year one of head coach Jimmy Rogers’ tenure is anyone’s guess, but he’s both preparing for and expecting to do so. That’s because Raynor’s unshakable belief in himself rivals his dogged commitment to his new team. And it’s spreading despite of the low external expectations.
“Confidence is contagious,” Roehl said. “And his belief, work, aptitude, ability to help, lead, bring along players — it’s huge. As a player, you want extra coaches one the field. Player-led programs are championship-level programs, and when you have guys (who) are all-in without waver, every day, that’s when you know you’ve got something special. And his continued growth, leadership — I mean, that’s from day one. His energy was contagious and we can’t have enough of those guys.”
Most of those guys, regardless of confidence level, are entirely new to ISU — not just Roehl’s system. So Raynor’s not alone in facing a learning challenge. But he’s relishing the opportunity to prove himself as a Power Four conference player.
“The more and more I do it, the more and more I see it, it just becomes more natural,” he said.
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