The Iowa State Cyclones are going into 2026 with a completely new look defense. With a new head coach, Jimmy Rogers, who focuses heavily on the defensive side of the football, there are going to need to be a lot of players who are able to step up in the big moments, both on and off the field.One of those players can be Caden Crawford. He’s a mix of a defensive lineman and a linebacker who has done a phenomenal job at the collegiate level. It all started at the Iowa Hawkeyes, where Crawford didn’t seem too high on the depth chart. He got very limited play and therefore decided to take his talents to the FCS level instead. That’s when he found the South Dakota Coyotes, a solid program at that level.He dominated last season. Crawford put up 78 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and three pass deflections en route to a great season. Now, he’s joining the Cyclones with hopes of being a star linebacker.Let’s take a look at three questions surrounding Crawford entering the 2026 season.Can he make the jump to the next level?Iowa defensive lineman Caden Crawford (97) warms up during a spring NCAA football practice, Thursday, March 30, 2023, at the University of Iowa Indoor Practice Facility in Iowa City, Iowa.