Iowa State Football Running Back Suffers Season-Ending Injury

Iowa State Cyclones running back Salahadin Allah suffered a season-ending Achilles injury during spring workouts, sidelining him until next spring. Allah, a transfer from Oregon State, was expected to play a key role in the backfield alongside Cameron Pettaway and Aiden Flora. His loss follows safety Braden Awls’ season-ending injury, further weakening the team’s depth. The injury compounds Iowa State’s backfield struggles, as Jayden Jackson—another key player—shockingly left the program despite strong spring performances. With Ryver Peppers recovering from a season-ending injury and freshmen Caleb Francois and Gabriel Wilson yet to contribute, head coach Jimmy Rogers’ team now faces significant workload demands on its remaining backs. To address the shortage, Iowa State is actively recruiting transfers, including JUCO All-American Markellus Bass and former Tulane running back Arnold Barnes III. Barnes III, who visited campus on May 18, brings experience with 757 rushing yards and six touchdowns in three seasons at Tulane. The Cyclones aim to finalize a transfer before the fall season begins. Allah’s absence is particularly painful, as he had 329 rushing yards and one touchdown in 19 games at Oregon State. His injury, combined with Jackson’s departure, leaves Iowa State with only Pettaway and Flora as reliable options in the backfield. The team’s transfer portal activity underscores the urgency of securing additional talent to avoid a major offensive decline in 2026.