Iowa State Adds Montana DL Jareb Ramos for Depth, Special Teams

Iowa State bolstered its defensive-line rotation by adding Montana defensive lineman Jareb Ramos in mid-January, securing a veteran body who should provide immediate depth and special-teams value. The move addresses a common offseason need in the transfer portal era: experienced players who can step into rotation roles and contribute while younger players develop.

Ramos, a 6-foot-4 presence on the interior, compiled 52 tackles and produced multiple impact plays for the Grizzlies in 2025. He has one year of eligibility remaining and visited Ames prior to committing on January 17, 2026. That combination of production, size, and short-term eligibility makes him an attractive option for a Cyclones front that sought low-risk additions to its depth chart.

On the field, Ramos projects as a rotational piece who can help control the line of scrimmage in obvious running situations and provide fresh legs on third-down snaps. His 2025 tape shows consistent wrap-up tackling and moments of disruption, traits that translate well to special teams units. Iowa State has emphasized special-teams development in recent years, and adding a player who can handle kickoff and punt-team duties while filling defensive snaps is a clear roster-management win.

From a schematic standpoint, Ramos fits the profile of a player who can slide inside or hold the edge against the run depending on down-and-distance. That flexibility matters for a defensive staff balancing substitution patterns and matchup planning. With only one season of eligibility left, the expectation is for immediate competition in spring practices and camp rather than a long-term developmental timeline.

This acquisition also fits broader industry trends. The transfer portal continues to reshape roster construction, pushing programs to mix homegrown recruiting classes with portal pickups to maintain depth and experience. For mid-major FBS programs like Iowa State, smart portal additions can be the difference between maintaining depth through a grueling season and facing holes that expose younger linemen prematurely.

Culturally, the pickup underscores how cross-regional pipelines have expanded. A Montana product heading to Ames highlights the national reach of roster building in today’s college game and gives Cyclone fans another player to follow who brings grit and immediate utility. For the Montana program, it showcases how FCS talent can parlay strong seasons into opportunities at the FBS level.

For Iowa State, Ramos represents a pragmatic roster move that prioritizes availability and special-teams acumen. Fans should expect to see him compete in spring drills for snaps on the defensive line and key roles on kickoff and punt coverage, with the potential to be a steady, if understated, contributor in 2026.