Iowa State Starting Quarterback Charged with Tampering in Sports Gambling Investigation
Iowa State starting quarterback, Hunter Dekkers, has been charged with tampering with records involving the ongoing sports gambling investigation of athletes at Iowa State and Iowa, according to Iowa court records. The charges against Dekkers allege that he placed 366 mobile or online sports bets totaling more than $2,799. Additionally, it was reported that Dekkers placed 26 bets on Iowa State events through a DraftKings account, including a 2021 Oklahoma State-Iowa State football game, in which he did not play.
The offense date listed in court documents is November 7, 2021, the day after the Cyclones played Texas. Dekkers would have been 20 years old at that time. An initial appearance for Dekkers is scheduled for August 16 in Story County Court. Iowa State senior associate athletic director Nick Joos stated that they are currently gathering information and will not provide further comment at this time.
The NCAA rules state that any athlete wagering on their own university could face a lifetime ban. This situation puts Dekkers’ future in jeopardy, as he was an honorable mention All-Big 12 quarterback last year and started all 12 games. He had an impressive season, throwing for 3,044 yards, which is the fourth most in a single season in school history and the third most in the Big 12 last season. He also had a Big 12-best completion rate of 66.1 percent, ranking fifth in single-season school history and 23rd nationally.
If Dekkers is unable to play this fall due to the charges, it would leave Iowa State with two inexperienced quarterbacks vying for the starting job. Redshirt freshman Rocco Becht, son of former NFL tight end Anthony Becht, saw limited action in three games last year. True freshman JJ Kohl, a four-star recruit from nearby Ankeny, enrolled in January and will also compete for the starting position.
Iowa State coach Matt Campbell expressed confidence in both Becht and Kohl, stating that Becht showed flashes of potential last year and had a great offseason. He also highlighted the importance of having Kohl enroll early in January, allowing him to gain competitive reps during the spring.
This recent development adds to the ongoing investigation into gambling on sports by athletes at Iowa State and Iowa. In early May, officials at both universities were notified that several athletes were under investigation for their involvement in sports gambling. Iowa has 26 athletes from five sports under investigation, while Iowa State has 15 athletes from three sports.
The outcome of this investigation will have significant implications for the athletes involved and the athletic programs at both universities. The NCAA takes gambling violations seriously, and if found guilty, Dekkers and other implicated athletes could face severe consequences, including potential lifetime bans.
In conclusion, the charges against Iowa State starting quarterback Hunter Dekkers for tampering with records in the sports gambling investigation have raised serious concerns for his future and the Iowa State football program. With an initial appearance scheduled for August 16, the outcome of this case will have a significant impact on Dekkers’ eligibility and the team’s quarterback situation. The ongoing investigation into gambling on sports by athletes at Iowa State and Iowa highlights the importance of upholding NCAA rules and the potential consequences for those who violate them. As the story continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see how it affects both universities and their athletic programs moving forward.