In the 2025 season’s Kansas State vs Iowa State matchup in Dublin, sophomore wide receiver Brett Eskildsen caught his first collegiate touchdown, a 24-yard fade route from quarterback Rocco Becht, against the Wildcats, going into the fourth quarter, culminating in a delicious 24-21 victory of the Wildcats. Last season, he played in 24 games, tallying three tackles and two receptions. He wears No. 81 jersey for Iowa State.

The Wildcats had the lead with Avery Johnson’s 78-yard touchdown, but Eskildsen’s TD gave the Cyclones the upper hand to 14-7. The game concluded with the Cyclones blowing a trumpet, with a 24-21 win.

Who is Brett Eskildsen?

Coming from Centennial High School in Fresno, Texas, the 6’0, 160-pound WR clocked in 1,590 yards, averaging 13.7 points, 15 receptions, and 75.7 yards per game over 21 games. In his senior year at high school, he clinched the MaxPreps Offensive Player of the Game, and that very year, he was awarded the Dave Campbell’s Impactful Leadership Award. Two more MaxPreps accolades stashed his trove, from back in 2021.

A former three-star recruit, ranked 146th as a wide receiver in the 2024 class, he headed towards Iowa State, turning down offers from Northwestern, Tulsa, North Texas, among others. He signed in July 2023. Although originally, the Texas native committed to the Northwestern Wildcats, Iowa’s head coach shift changed Eskildsen’s plan, and he landed at his dream college.

“When I visited Iowa State prior to my commitment, it’s something that you can tell that they have,” he said. “It’s just the camaraderie. It’s one family there, and that was a huge part of my commitment.” Also, the family roots played their part. His family is from Iowa, and his mom went to Iowa State. So, that sealed the deal. For him, it wasn’t the facilities or the stadium that engaged his interest. It was rather the people with whom he would spend the next four years.

“Everyone in that building is such great people. Coach Pauley, Campbell, Scheelhaase, and Coach Kempt – they were like the biggest people in my recruitment from the coaching standpoint – even my host in Andrew Keller, on my recruiting visit. Everyone just really cares and I think that’s huge,” he told Cyclone Fanatic.

Brett Eskildsen made his first collegiate turnover today, an impressive feat indeed. The hard work he put in all these years bore fruit. Especially, last year, when head coach Matt Campbell heaped praise on the then-freshman for his splendid performance as he faced off against Cincinnati, culminating in a 34-17 win.

“That was the case with Brett. He got his moment, and he took advantage. I’m just really happy for him because he is going to have an incredible career, and I am just really happy for him,” Campbell said. The head coach also touched upon how fresh talent steps up in the trenches during critical moments, maintaining the program’s excellence.

“They just keep coming. Players come from everywhere,” he added, referencing Eskildsen’s impressive receptions, as he made the first two career catches into critical third-down conversions.

Meet Iowa State WR who did the Conor McGregor strut

The 2025 Farmageddon could get as interesting as it could be. The first two quarters appeared sluggish, but going into the fourth quarter, Brett Eskildsen’s TD cheered up the Aviva Stadium. The ball snapped, and the QB Rocco Becht threw the ball directly into Brett’s hands. The crowd erupted in a cheer, with a red sea, greeting the eye, feasting on that delicious touchdown.

Brett jumped in the air to catch the reception, rolled over to the ground with the TD earned, got up, and trotted back towards the ground, while he did a Conor McGregor strut.