Iowa

Iowa State women’s basketball team adds transfer guard from Kent State

Published

10 hours ago

on

April 10, 2026

By

Press Room

Iowa State women’s basketball team adds transfer guard from Kent State

ROUND PICK. WE’LL BE PULLING FOR HIM. THE DRAFT STARTS THURSDAY, APRIL 23RD. CYCLE IN. WOMEN LOST NEARLY THEIR ENTIRE ROSTER THURSDAY. THEY GOT ONE BACK. MAYA BABBITT IS COMING OVER FROM KENT STATE. SHE LED THAT TEAM AT 16 POINTS PE

Iowa State women’s basketball team adds transfer guard from Kent State

Updated: 10:40 PM CDT Apr 9, 2026

Editorial Standards ⓘ

Iowa State got a strong start on its 2026 transfer class Thursday.Kent State guard Mya Babbitt announced her commitment to Iowa State.Babbitt, a 5’8″ guard from Papillion, Nebraska, has been a two-year starter for the Golden Flashes and earned second-team All-MAC honors in 2025-26 after averaging 16.1 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. She also set the Kent State record for 3-pointers in a season as a sophomore, making 83 3-pointers at a 41.5% clip.Babbitt is the first incoming transfer to announce her commitment to Iowa State this offseason. She will have one year of eligibility remaining.The Cyclones are tasked with replacing nearly the entire roster from 2025-26 after nine players entered the transfer portal.Senior-to-be Arianna Jackson has announced her return, as has reserve guard Freya Jensen. Iowa State also brings in highly touted recruit Macy Comito. Comito led Carlisle High School to its first state title this winter.» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play

AMES, Iowa —

Iowa State got a strong start on its 2026 transfer class Thursday.

Kent State guard Mya Babbitt announced her commitment to Iowa State.

Babbitt, a 5’8″ guard from Papillion, Nebraska, has been a two-year starter for the Golden Flashes and earned second-team All-MAC honors in 2025-26 after averaging 16.1 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. She also set the Kent State record for 3-pointers in a season as a sophomore, making 83 3-pointers at a 41.5% clip.

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Babbitt is the first incoming transfer to announce her commitment to Iowa State this offseason. She will have one year of eligibility remaining.

The Cyclones are tasked with replacing nearly the entire roster from 2025-26 after nine players entered the transfer portal.

Senior-to-be Arianna Jackson has announced her return, as has reserve guard Freya Jensen. Iowa State also brings in highly touted recruit Macy Comito. Comito led Carlisle High School to its first state title this winter.

» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page

» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play

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Iowa

Where new NFL Draft grades from The Athletic have Iowa players landing

Published

23 hours ago

on

April 9, 2026

By

Press Room

Where new NFL Draft grades from The Athletic have Iowa players landing

The NFL Draft is two weeks away, and new prospect grades for more than 50 Iowa college and high school football players have been released.

Here is what to know about the 2026 NFL Draft and a breakdown of the draft projections for Iowa players, according to The Athletic’s “The Beast,” its annual comprehensive NFL Draft scouting guide.

When is the 2026 NFL draft?

The 2026 NFL draft will begin with the first round on Thursday, April 23. Rounds 2 and 3 occur the following day, and the draft will conclude on its third day with Rounds 4-7 on Saturday, April 25.

Pittsburgh — home of the Steelers — will host the 2026 NFL draft.

How did The Athletic grade Iowa college football players ahead of the 2026 NFL draft?

The Athletic’s “The Beast” report included rankings of players from Iowa, Iowa State, Northern Iowa, Drake, Grand View and Upper Iowa.

Gennings Dunker, guard: No. 5 out of 159 players at his position
- Grade: 3rd round projection
Logan Jones, center: No. 3 out of 78 players at his position
- Grade: 3rd-4th round projection
Max Llewellyn, defensive end: No. 18 out of 270 players at his position
- Grade: 4th round projection
Beau Stephens, guard: No. 11 out of 159 players at his position
- Grade: 4th-5th round projection
TJ Hall, cornerback: No. 24 out of 318 players at his position
- Grade: 6th round projection
Kaden Wetjen, wide receiver: No. 30 out of 380 players at his position
- Grade: 6th round projection

Karson Sharar, linebacker: No. 24 out of 243 players at his position
- Grade: 7th round projection
Drew Stevens, kicker: No. 3 out of 40 players at his position
- Grade: 7th round-free agent projection

Mark Gronowski, quarterback: No.17 out of 99 players at his position
- Grade: 7th round-free agent projection
Xavier Nwankpa, safety: No. 23 out of 271 players at his position
- Grade: 7th round-free agent projection
Bryant Worrell, long snapper: No. 20 out of 48 players at his position
Hayden Large, tight end: No. 33 out of 156 players at his position
Aaron Graves, defensive tackle: No. 67 out of 249 players at his position
Ethan Hurkett, defensive end: No. 84 out of 270 players at his position
Jonah Pace, defensive tackle: No. 84 out of 249 players at his position
Seth Anderson, wide receiver: No. 87 out of 380 players at his position,
Jacob Gill, wide receiver: No. 106 out of 380 players at his position
Bryce George, guard: No. 107 out of 159 players at his position
Sam Phillips, wide receiver: No. 118 out of 380 players at his position,
Shahid Barros, cornerback: No. 195 out of 318 players at his position

Derek Anderson, tight end: No. 104 out of 156 players at his position
Blake Anderson, offensive tackle: No. 109 out of 146 players at his position
Bill Jackson, running back: No. 111 out of 213 players at his position
Mo Olowo, safety: No. 122 out of 271 players at his position
Caleb Frazer, linebacker: No. 177 out of 243 players at his position
Tucker Langenberg, linebacker: No. 193 out of 243 players at his position
Jonathan Cabral-Martin, cornerback: No. 198 out of 318 players at his position

Domonique Orange, defensive tackle: No. 6 out of 249 players at his position
- Grade: 2nd-3rd round projection
Tyler Perkins, punter: No. 13 out of 40 players at his position
James Neal III, offensive tackle: No. 27 out of 146 players at his position
Jim Bonifas, center: No. 27 out of 78 players at his position
Tyler Miller, offensive tackle: No. 53 out of 146 players at his position
Tamatoa McDonough, defensive end: No. 56 out of 270 players at his position
Dylan Barrett, guard: No. 65 out of 159 players at his position

Tyler Moore, tight end: No. 76 out of 156 players at his position
Cannon Butler, defensive end: No. 101 out of 270 players at his position
Tyler Maro, offensive tackle: No. 128 out of 146 players at his position
Eli Green, wide receiver: No. 185 out of 380 players at his position
Myles Mendesoon, defensive end: No. 205 out of 270 players at his position

Drake Bulldogs

Brett Welsing, long snapper: No. 17 out of 48 players at his position

Grand View Vikings

Jackson Waring, quarterback: No. 53 out of 99 players at his position
John Argo, linebacker: No. 56 out of 243 players at his position

Upper Iowa Peacocks

Mante Morrow, wide receiver: No. 142 out of 380 players at his position

Iowa natives playing elsewhere

These Iowa high school players finished playing college football outside the state but still earned spots in The Athletic’s “The Beast” draft guide.

Kadyn Proctor (Alabama, Southeast Polk), offensive tackle: No. 4 out of 146 players at his position
- Grade: 1st-2nd round projection
Eli Raridon (Notre Dame, Valley), tight end: No. 9 out of 156 players at his position
- Grade: 4th round projection
Mosai Newsom (South Dakota, Waverly-Shell Rock), defensive tackle: No. 93 out of 249 players at his position
Nate Ewell (South Dakota, Waterloo West), linebacker: No. 88 out of 243 players at his position,
Henry Lutovsky (Nebraska, Mount Pleasant), guard: No. 29 out of 159 players at his position

Jase Bauer (UT Martin, Ankeny), quarterback: No. 51 out of 99 players at his position
Harrison Waylee (Virginia, Urbandale), running back: No. 80 out of 213 players at his position
Noah Fenske (Southern Illinois, New Hampton), center: No. 26 out of 78 players at his position
TJ Bollers (California, Clear Creek Amana), defensive tackle: No. 60 out of 249 players at his position
Carter Hewitt (Illinois, South Hamilton), defensive tackle: No. 156 out of 249 players at his position

How to watch the 2026 NFL draft

Live coverage of the NFL draft can be found on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and the NFL Network. Coverage is also available on NFL+, ESPN Select, ESPN Unlimited and Fubo TV.

Thursday, April 23: Round 1 starts at 7 p.m. CT
Friday, April 24: Round 2 and Round 3 start at 6 p.m. CT
Saturday, April 25: Rounds 4-7 start at 11 a.m. CT

Watch the NFL Draft on ESPN+

Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.

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Iowa

Iowa lawmakers advance bill to support sexual assault survivors

Published

1 day ago

on

April 8, 2026

By

Press Room

House File 705 would fund nonprofit sexual assault forensic exam centers, aiming to improve care and evidence collection for survivors.

Iowa lawmakers advance bill to support sexual assault survivors

House File 705 would fund nonprofit sexual assault forensic exam centers, aiming to improve care and evidence collection for survivors.

COMPLAINT. HE’S SCHEDULED TO APPEAR IN COURT ON APRIL 17TH, LESS THAN TWO WEEKS REMAIN IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION HERE IN IOWA AS WE TAKE A LIVE LOOK FROM THE STATEHOUSE IN DOWNTOWN DES MOINES TODAY, A BILL TO EXPAND SERVICES FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS IS MOVING FORWARD. HOUSE FILE 705 WOULD CREATE A GRANT PROGRAM TO SUPPORT NONPROFIT SEXUAL ASSAULT FORENSIC EXAM CENTERS ACROSS IOWA. SUPPORTERS SAY THE FUNDING WOULD HELP ENSURE VICTIMS HAVE ACCESS TO SPECIALIZED CARE AND EVIDENCE COLLECTION SERVICES. WHEN TYPICALLY OUR VICTIMS DON’T FEEL SEEN, THEY DON’T FEEL HEARD AND THEY DON’T FEEL RELIEVED TO JUST KNOW THAT TO MAKE IT THIS FAR, THE COMMUNITY DOES SEE THEM AND HEAR THEM. AND YOU KNOW, WE NEED YOUR HELP TO GET STARTED SO THAT WE CAN ENSURE THAT THOSE SERVICES ARE DELIVERABLE. YOU KNOW, WE CAN BUILD IT, BUT WE NEED WE NEED TO KEEP ACCESS OPEN AND AVAILABLE TO THEM BY BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT. SO AND THE BILL PASSED

Iowa lawmakers advance bill to support sexual assault survivors

House File 705 would fund nonprofit sexual assault forensic exam centers, aiming to improve care and evidence collection for survivors.

Updated: 9:29 PM CDT Apr 8, 2026

Editorial Standards ⓘ

Iowa lawmakers are advancing House File 705, a bill that would create a grant program to support nonprofit sexual assault forensic exam centers across the state. The bill passed a House subcommittee today and now heads to a full committee for further debate and a vote. It would require the attorney general’s office to contract with an Iowa-based nonprofit specializing in caring for survivors of sexual abuse or assault. Shannon Knudsen, who founded the S.A.F.E. Center of Iowa, says the funding would help ensure victims have access to specialized care and evidence collection services. “We need your help to get started so that we can ensure that those services are deliverable,” Knudsen said to lawmakers. “We can build it, but we need to keep access open and available to them.” Because this bill was filed under Appropriations, it did not have to pass by specific deadlines to stay active. The current session is set to end on April 21, which is when per diem ends for lawmakers. A statewide budget has to be passed by both chambers before lawmakers gavel out.

DES MOINES, Iowa —

Iowa lawmakers are advancing House File 705, a bill that would create a grant program to support nonprofit sexual assault forensic exam centers across the state.

The bill passed a House subcommittee today and now heads to a full committee for further debate and a vote. It would require the attorney general’s office to contract with an Iowa-based nonprofit specializing in caring for survivors of sexual abuse or assault.

Shannon Knudsen, who founded the S.A.F.E. Center of Iowa, says the funding would help ensure victims have access to specialized care and evidence collection services.

“We need your help to get started so that we can ensure that those services are deliverable,” Knudsen said to lawmakers. “We can build it, but we need to keep access open and available to them.”

Because this bill was filed under Appropriations, it did not have to pass by specific deadlines to stay active. The current session is set to end on April 21, which is when per diem ends for lawmakers. A statewide budget has to be passed by both chambers before lawmakers gavel out.