2026 LB Barry Fries the latest to be released from signing with Iowa State

Elkhorn (Neb.) North three-star linebacker Barry Fries was one of the many prospects out of Nebraska who signed with Iowa State earlier this month. He’s now the latest to be released from his signature with the Cyclones.

With Matt Campbell off to Penn State, Fries announced on Saturday afternoon that he is no longer headed to Ames:

After the recent coaching changes at ISU, and many conversations with my parents, I have decided to re open my recruitment, and I am no longer signed to lowa State, I wish the best for the program moving forward,” Fries wrote in a post on X. “Thank you to everyone at ISU that recruited me.”

Fries is the No. 930 overall prospect and No. 83 LB in the 2026 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 7 recruit out of Nebraska.

Iowa State was the clear favorite for Fries throughout his recruitment and he locked in with the Cyclones on April 5. As a senior for Elkhorn North, Fries tallied 76 tackles, 2.5 sacks, a pair of interceptions and a forced fumble. The Wolves won eight games this fall and finished as the No. 7 team in the state, per the Massey Ratings.

Penn State will of course be a program to watch, as it is already trending for some former ISU signees. Three-star safety Bryson Williams, three-star wide receiver Amarion Jackson, three-star quarterback Kase Evans, three-star offensive tackle Owen Winder and three-star tight end Arley Morrell are others that have been released from their signatures with the Midwest Big 12 program. Both Williams and Jackson are also prospects out of Nebraska.

The Cyclones have already brought in Washington State’s Jimmy Rogers as the next head coach, but it’s expected that there will be more departures from the current ISU class. With Fries no longer in the fold, there are now 12 signees left. The updated class can be seen here.

Penn State hires Matt Campbell

The Nittany Lions had been searching for its next headman for longer than many expected, however, Penn State has found their guy. Campbell will take over for Terry Smith, who was seen as a candidate for the position and held the interim head coach title for Penn State after James Franklin was fired.

Franklin was let go by Penn State after a 3-3 start to the year, one season after leading the Nittany Lions to a national semifinal in the College Football Playoff. He’s since taken the job at Virginia Tech.

For Campbell, he’s 107–70 overall as a head coach. He received his first gig as headman at Toledo from 2012-2015 where he was a the 2015 MAC Coach of the Year. Campbell led the Rockets to consecutive divisional titles in 2014 and 2015 before moving on to Iowa State.

Since taking over at Iowa State, he’s been the model of consistency — something the Cyclones program hasn’t had throughout its history. After ending his first season with a 3-9 record in 2016, Campbell would go on to lead Iowa State to five consecutive bowl game appearances. That’s good for the longest streak in program history.

On3’s Barkley Truax contributed to this story.