As Iowa State football moves closer and closer to cracking the AP Top 25, it has become apparent Kyle Kempt will be the quarterback moving forward.
The Cyclones, who scored a shutout over Kansas at home this past weekend following their road upset at Oklahoma two weeks ago, officially removed former starter Jacob Park from the depth chart on Monday.
Heading into the game vs. the Jayhawks, both Park and Kempt were listed as co-starters. Kempt, though, was the only one to take a snap of the two, as Park was not suited up for the contest that was delayed after a thunderous rain storm swept through the area.
Kempt has thrown for 465 yards with four touchdowns in three games this year, the last two of which he has started for second-year head coach Matt Campbell. The redshirt senior had a standout high school career for Massillon Washington in Ohio, becoming the all-time leading passer with over 6,000 yards and 62 touchdowns.
In 2013, Kempt redshirted at Oregon State and was a squad member the following season, but never attempted a pass. He transferred to Hutchinson Community College in Kansas in 2015 but again did not throw a pass.
He was the Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year in 2016 for the Cyclones, but appeared in just two games, completing both of his attempts for 15 yards.
Park claimed the job last year from Joel Lanning, throwing for over 1,100 yards with nine touchdowns. Earlier this month, though, it was reported that Park had left the team to work on personal issues.
Iowa State was 2-2 with Park under center, defeating Northern Iowa and Akron. They lost to Iowa in overtime and dropped a 17-7 decision to Texas.
With a date at Norman vs. the highly-ranked Sooners coming up, Iowa State announced Kempt as the starter. The walk-on delivered, going 18 of 24 for 343 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. He followed that performance up by throwing for 122 yards and completing 13 of 20 in a constant rain vs. Kansas.
The Cyclones, who went 3-9 last year in the first season under Campbell, travel to Texas Tech this weekend before playing Big 12 contenders TCU, West Virginia and Oklahoma State during a three-week stretch.
They close out on the road at Baylor and Kansas State, needing two more wins to be bowl eligible for the first time since 2012 when they played Tulsa in the Liberty Bowl.
Next: NFL Mock Draft 2018: Complete first round heading into Week 8
Redshirt freshman Zeb Noland is the backup to Kempt.
Campbell noted during his weekly press conference with members of the media that “nothing has changed” with Park.