2025 All-American Vinny Zerban announced his transfer to Iowa State on Monday via his social media. Zerban has spent the past four years at the University of Northern Colorado and has one year of eligibility remaining. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vinny Zerban (@vinnyzerban)

Zerban's transfer comes on the heels of former Northern Colorado head coach Troy Nickerson's move to coach Army.  Zerban will also be following his Northern Colorado teammate Stevo Poulin to Ames - Poulin announced last Friday that he'll be transferring to Iowa State.  

At the 2025 NCAA Tournament, Zerban reached the podium for the first time in his career, where he finished in 6th place in a deep 157-pound bracket. At NCAAs, Zerban recorded wins over Matt Bianchi, Brandon Cannon, Chase Saldate, and Blake Saito to earn his All-American honors. On top of his performance at NCAAs, Zerban accumulated a 22-7 record last season and was the 2025 157-pound Big 12 Champion.

Zerban's Fit In The Cyclone's Lineup

Zerban should slot in perfectly for the Cyclones next year at 157 pounds. Last season, Cody Chittum, Iowa's starter, failed to place at the NCAA Tournament after going 2-2 at NCAAs. Then, in the off-season, Chittum entered the transfer portal and shortly after committed to Ohio State. Zerban might be in a roster battle with Paniro Johnson, who failed to place at 149 pounds last year but spent time at 157 pounds at the beginning of the year. Even if Johnson is up at 157, Zerban will be considered the favorite to win the starting spot.

Iowa State's Potential 2025-26 Lineup:

125: Stevo Poulin

133: Evan Frost

141: Jacob Frost

149: Anthony Echemendia/Paniro Johnson

157: Vinny Zerban/Paniro Johnshon

165: Aiden Riggins

174: MJ Gaitan

184: Isaac Dean

197: Rocky Elam

285: Yonger Bastida