New York Jets Wide Receiver Allen Lazard has had a decorated football career thus far. He was a standout high school player at Urbandale High School in Urbandale, Iowa. He still holds the school records for receptions (105), receiving yards (2,349), touchdowns (34), and interceptions (14).
For his achievements, he was named USA Today's All-American, Des Moines Register Offensive Player of the Year in 2013, Defensive Player of the Year in 2012, and a three-time All-State Selection. A four-star recruit out of Urbandale. Lazard continued his football career at Iowa State.
With his talent, Lazard helped reshape the Iowa State program. Now that he's enjoyed a successful NFL career, is he the best current player from the Iowa State Cyclones?
Where Allen Lazard Ranks Among Active Iowa State NFL Players
8) AJ Klein (LB)
A Wisconsin native, AJ Klein played for the Cyclones from 2009-2012, and he was one of the best defensive players in Iowa State history. In 2011, he won Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year and First-Team All-Big 12 after he led Iowa State with 116 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss.
During his senior season, Klein again won First-Team All-Big 12 after he finished the year with 117 tackles. In total, Klein tallied 361 tackles for Iowa State and still holds the Iowa State record with four defensive touchdowns.
The Carolina Panthers drafted Klein in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft, where he spent four seasons before spending time with the Panthers, Saints, Bills, Ravens, Bears, and Bills, where he is currently.
7) Will McDonald IV (LB)
Another Wisconsin native, Will McDonald IV, the conference named him First-Team All-Big 12 three times (2020-2022). They also awarded him Big-12 Co-Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2021, in which he tied for the Big 12 lead in sacks with 11.5 that season.
Nobody of recent memory on the defensive side had a better career than McDonald IV. He finished his college career with 125 tackles, 40.5 tackles for loss, and a school-record 34.0 sacks.
Following his stellar college career, the New York Jets selected McDonald IV in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
6) Xavier Hutchinson (WR)
Xavier Hutchinson began his career at Blinn College, where in two years, he had 58 receptions for 961 yards and seven touchdowns before transferring to Iowa State.
Hutchinson burst onto the scene by winning Big-12 Newcomer of the Year in 2020, and his career at Iowa took off from there as Hutchinson was awarded First-Team All-Big 12 three times (2020-22).
In 2021, Iowa State's single-season reception record with 83. For his final season at Iowa State, Hutchinson had 107 receptions, 1,171 yards, and six touchdowns in 12 games for the Cyclones. In 37 career games for the Cyclones, Hutchinson had 254 receptions, 2,929 yards and 15 touchdowns.
The Houston Texans selected in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
5) Charlie Kolar (TE)
Charlie Kolar was one of the most decorated tight ends in Iowa State history. He was named All-Big 12 First-Team three times (2019-2021).
In 2021, Kolar won the William V. Campbell Award. The award signifies a combination of academics, community service, and on-field performance. Kolar had 168 receptions, 2,181 yards, and 23 touchdowns in 43 career games for the Cyclones.
The Baltimore Ravens selected Kolar in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
4) Breece Hall (RB)
At Iowa State, Breece Hall helped reshape the Iowa State program by becoming one of the most productive running backs in ISU history. He won Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2020 and 2021 after back-to-back seasons of over 1,000 yards and 23 total touchdowns and was awarded 2x First-Team All-Big 12 in 2020 and 2021.
Hall had 3,933 yards, 50 touchdowns, and 82 receptions for 734 yards and six touchdowns for his career at Iowa State.
Drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, he played in seven games for the Jets before a knee injury prematurely ended his season.
3) David Montgomery (RB)
David Montgomery played for Cyclones from 2016-2018. He broke out in 2017. He was named First- Team All American by PFF and First-Team All-Big 12 with a season of 1,146 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 36 receptions for 296 yards. In 2018, Montgomery had four straight games rushing for over 100 yards and finished the season with 1,216 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns.
The Chicago Bears selected Montgomery in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He spent four years in Chicago before signing a three-year $18 million contract with the Detroit Lions on March 16.
2) Allen Lazard (WR)
Allen Lazard is the greatest receiver to come out of Iowa State. He lived up to the billing of being a highly-touted recruit coming to a sleeping giant program under head coach Matt Campbell. Lazard continued his dominance at Iowa State, where he tallied 240 catches, 3,360 yards, and 26 touchdowns in 48 career games for the Cyclones. Lazard was named Second-Team All-Big 12 in 2015 and First-Team All-Big 12 in 2016 and 2017.
After his career at Iowa State, Lazard went undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft. He was immediately signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad. He remained there until Green Bay signed him to their practice squad in 2018.
Lazard spent five seasons in Green Bay, becoming a favorite target of future Hall-of-Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Lazard contributed to a top-five offense in Rodgers' two MVP seasons. In Green Bay, Lazard totaled 169 catches, 2,236 yards, and 20 touchdowns in 57 games played.
Before the start of the 2023 season, Lazard joined the New York Jets on a four-year $44 million contract.
1) Brock Purdy (QB)
Nobody has had a bigger impact on the Iowa State program than a four-year starter, Brock Purdy. He was a three-time All-Big 12 quarterback with 32 school records, including passing (81) and total touchdowns (100). He completely revitalized the Iowa State program.
The San Francisco 49ers then drafted Purdy with the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He started the season as a third-string quarterback before injuries thrust him into the starting role. Purdy started the final five games of the season. He went a perfect 5-0 and led the 49ers to an NFC Championship Game appearance.
Brock Purdy had a stellar football career at Iowa State, and he's continuing that excellence in the NFL.
An Iowa State Reunion in New York
With the signing of Allen Lazard and the drafting of Breece Hall in 2022 and Will McDonald IV, a reunion of sorts has taken place for the New York Jets. McDonald IV and Hall never played with Lazard at Iowa State, but they were all accomplished players heading into the NFL. Playing with Aaron Rodgers has to be a special moment for all of them.
Allen Lazard & Xavier Hutchinson: The Wide Receiver connection
Xavier Hutchinson and Allen Lazard have one similarity: both were decorated receivers at Iowa State. Both are expected to be key targets for their quarterbacks this season, too. Hutchinson for rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud and Lazard for Aaron Rodgers. But one thing is certain. They both helped change the football landscape at Iowa State.
Allen Lazard Booking Agent Contact Information
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