Nov 1, 2025; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Oregon State Beavers quarterback Maalik Murphy (6) gets sacked by Washington State Cougars defensive lineman Bryson Lamb (99) during the second half at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

AMES — Bryson Lamb’s seen it all. Iowa State’s senior defensive tackle has experienced everything the tumultuous and ever-changing world of college football can throw at a player — from conference realignment, to massive roster overhauls.

And now the 6-2, 301-pound transfer from Washington State is one of several former Cougars who chose to follow head coach Jimmy Rogers and his staff to the ISU campus.

“It’s definitely weird because last year I was the guy who stayed,” said Lamb, who was a holdover at Washington State last season when Rogers took over that program for a one-year stint. “So I (was) accepting all these people into a program that I (was) very familiar with. So being on the other side of that, coming into a program and asking people who have been here before kind of what’s the dynamic? What’s the culture and stuff? (It’s) definitely been a unique perspective for sure.”

Fortunately for Lamb, he has plenty of ex-Cougar brethren who also chose to transfer to the Cyclones’ program — and eleven of those 15 transfers reside on his side of the ball.

So what can ISU fans expect from the team’s new-look, four-man-front-based defense?

“You’re gonna see a lot of things flying in our colors, whether it’s the linebackers, safeties, corners, the D-line, you’re gonna see a lot of movement,” said Lamb, who notched 1.5 of the Cougars’ 31 sacks last season. “You’re gonna see a lot of action.”

Especially up front, where a handful of Washington State transfers such as Lamb and EDGE rusher Isaac “Bobby” Terrell are now meshing with ISU holdovers Zaimir Hawk and Jace Gilbert, among others.

“Those guys have been able to help some of the guys (who) are new within this defensive structure,” said the Cyclones’ first-year defensive line coach Jalon Bibbs, who worked with Rogers at both South Dakota State and Washington State. “I think that’s gonna pay off tenfold, and I think that is really being displayed right now in spring ball with how fast some of the other guys are picking the defensive structure up. So I think it’s more about the buy in and being able to build relationships and being able to get everybody on the same page that ultimately allows you to be able to have that trust and that continuity that you need.”

That multi-pronged bond is forming as each spring practice unfolds, creating a springboard to summer workouts and fall camp.

“We’re (going to be) super heavy on stuff, playing guys physical,” said South Dakota transfer defensive tackle Caden Crawford, who started his college career at Iowa. “And then running to the ball and gang tackling — that’s what we’re all about, is flying to the ball and making plays and being excited for each other, and then just feed off that energy.”

Washington State ranked 33rd in run defense, 13th in pass defense and 15th in total defense in Rogers’ first and only season at the helm, so all that energy and physicality should allow defensive coordinator Jesse Bobbit’s group to thrive in the Big 12, as well.

“Last year we were playing ACC, SEC, we’re playing (against) these Power Four conferences that, really, you know, my first couple years of college that’s what I was experiencing in the (old) Pac-12,” Lamb said. “So the familiarity of the size and the speed and stuff, it’s not new to me.”

Nor is it new to most of ISU’s defensive line or the team in general. Yes, there are several lower-level transfers eager to prove themselves at the Power Four level, but they’re not the only ones playing with hunger and urgency.

Lamb didn’t have a single Division I offer out of high school, but accepted a preferred walk-on offer from Washington State. So he’s truly seen it all — and often been overlooked or underestimated.

“That chip on my shoulder of kind of proving (doubters) wrong has just always been something that’s been in the back of my mind,” the Bellingham, Wash., native said. “And being at this stage, for sure, I just can’t wait to put it on display.”

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