Iowa State’s secondary has taken a serious hit. Cornerback Jontez Williams will miss the remainder of the 2025 season after suffering a season-ending injury, as confirmed by sources within the program.
Williams arrived in Ames with a big reputation and has lived up to the praise. He had already been named to preseason All-Big 12 lists, and over his career, he recorded 67 tackles and five interceptions, making him one of the more productive corners in the Cyclones’ rotation. His departure follows closely on the heels of Iowa State losing Jeremiah Cooper for the season, meaning the Cyclones now must replace multiple starters in the secondary.
The timing could not be worse for Iowa State’s defense. Williams was not only valuable in one-on-one matchups, but his presence allowed defensive coordinator Jon Heacock to be more flexible in his schemes, trusting Williams to handle challenging assignments with tight coverage. With him now unavailable, the staff will need to adjust alignments, possibly lean more on safety help over the top, and accelerate snaps for backups.
Up next will likely be Quentin Taylor Jr. and Tre Bell absorbing increased roles in the corner rotation. Taylor, a younger player, and Bell, a transfer with size and experience, may see the most direct paths to starting reps. The coaching staff may also look internally at safety personnel or hybrid defensive backs who can slide down into corner roles in certain packages.
Losing both starters poses serious challenges as Big 12 play intensifies. Opponents will likely test Iowa State’s new perimeter depth, deploying bigger receivers, slot movement, and cross-field routes to find soft spots in replacement coverage. The Cyclones will need to lean on strong pass rush, tight zone coverages, and smart game planning to mitigate these losses.
From a broader perspective, this development highlights the thin depth in Power Four conferences and how injuries can necessitate sudden pivots at critical junctures. Iowa State entered the season with confidence in its defense; now its resolve will be tested.
