MORGANTOWN — Rocco Becht has West Virginia University football in his DNA.
He also has the words “Iowa State” across the front of his football jersey.
For Becht, ISU’s starting quarterback, WVU runs in the family. His father, Anthony Becht, enjoyed a Hall of Fame career as a Mountaineer tight end. Yet rather than the mountains of Morgantown, Rocco Becht’s football journey took him to Ames, Iowa.
The younger Becht is now the starting quarterback of the No. 11 Cyclones, who visit WVU for an 8 p.m. Saturday contest (FOX).
And while this will be the first time Rocco Becht faces the Mountaineers (3-2, 2-0 Big 12) as the Iowa State (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) starter, WVU coaches know him well.
“I pull for him every game,” said WVU head coach Neal Brown. “This will be the first time I don’t pull for him when he rolls in here.”
Becht decided he wanted to be a Cyclone early, committing in April 2021, his junior year at Wiregrass Ranch High School in Zephyrhills, Fla., and enrolling early at Iowa State in January 2022. He redshirted that 2022 season, but has been ISU’s starting quarterback ever since.
Becht has rewarded Iowa State coach Matt Campbell’s faith with a 2023 season that saw him break freshman records for completions (231), passing yards (3,120) and passing touchdowns (23) on the way to being named Big 12 Offensive Rookie of the Year and a second-team Freshman All-American by The Athletic. He’s continued the hot start to his career by throwing for 1,173 yards and nine touchdowns and adding two more touchdowns on the ground in the Cyclones’ undefeated start.
Beyond any physical attribute, Campbell said Becht’s character has been the foundation for his early success.
“What’s always impressed me about Rocco Becht is his values as a man, as a person, as human being,” Campbell said. “I think our football team recognized that early on in him, to be honest with you. I think there was an unwavering loyalty and support to Rocco Becht from the first day that he took the snap under center for our football program. I think why that happens is because of who you are. You can’t fake that. You can’t rah rah, you can’t just have talent. You got to be a great human.
“And Rocco has been nothing short of exceptional and challenging himself on continuing to grow and be his best,” he added. “But always uplifting his teammates along with him. I’m really grateful to coach a young man like that. Obviously, really grateful to lead a football program with a young man like that.”
WVU’s coaches agree with Campbell about Becht’s character, but they point out those physical talents, too. Brown said Becht does a great job keeping plays alive with his feet and remaining an efficient passer.
“I think he’s highly intelligent,” Brown said. “They do a lot of things offensively, and you can only do what your quarterback allows you to do.
“And he’s a sneaky runner, man,” Brown added. “He’s a good athlete and he extends plays.”
Defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley said Becht’s athleticism isn’t too much of a secret.
“I wouldn’t say ‘sneaky’ athletic, because it’s not very sneaky,” Lesley said. “He’s fast and he runs.”
That, Lesley added, is part of why the Cyclones have allowed only three sacks on the season.
“Any team, when you get to this point of the season with very, very low sack numbers, not only is that a credit to the front, a lot of times that’s a credit to the quarterback knowing when and where to go with the ball,” Lesley said.
And while Brown doesn’t consider it fair to compare one player to another, he has taken note that some are comparing Becht to former ISU starter, and now the starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, Brock Purdy.
“They’re operating very similar to when (Purdy) was there, which is a huge compliment to Rocco,” Brown said.
All Purdy did was take the Cyclones to a top-10 finish and a Fiesta Bowl win as a junior. Whether that level of success is in Becht’s future remains to be seen, but Campbell is confident Becht has the makeup to give it his best shot.
“When the ball is in your hands, you got a lot of leadership on your plate,” Campbell said. “He’s done a great job so far for us.”
— Story by Derek Redd
TWEET @DomPostSports
