CYCLONE INSIDER

Isaiah Lee, charged in gambling investigation last week, leaves Iowa State football program

Travis Hines
Des Moines Register
View Comments

Isaiah Lee, who was charged last week in the state’s student-athlete gambling probe, has left the Iowa State football program, a school spokesperson confirmed to the Register on Monday. 

The defensive lineman was charged with tampering with records for allegedly disguising his identity to place online sports wagers, according to a criminal complaint filed last week. 

Lee is accused of wagering on 12 Iowa State football games, including placing a moneyline bet against the Cyclones in a 2021 game against Texas, according to the criminal complaint. Iowa State won that game, and Lee had one tackle in the contest. 

In total, Lee is accused of placing 115 bets for over $885, according to authorities. 

More:Iowa State running back Jirehl Brock, three other starters charged in state's gambling investigation

Lee is the second Cyclone to leave the program after being charged, with reserve offensive lineman Dodge Sauser exiting the program last week. 

Seven current or former Iowa State football players have been charged in the probe, including five returning starters from last year’s team in quarterback Hunter Dekkers, running back Jirehl Brock, offensive lineman Jake Remsburg, tight end DeShawn Hanika and Lee. 

More:Can Iowa State football's 'five-star culture' sustain it through scandal and setbacks?

Dekkers, Brock and Lee are all accused of wagering on Iowa State football games, according to authorities. Hanika allegedly bet on Iowa State basketball games. All four could face permanent NCAA ineligibility as a result. 

Remsburg is accused of placing bets on NCAA football and basketball games, though not involving Iowa State, which makes him subject to a half-year suspension. 

“Since becoming aware of potential NCAA eligibility issues related to sports wagering by several of our student-athletes back in May, Iowa State University has been actively working to address these issues with the involved student-athletes, and that process remains ongoing," Iowa State senior athletics director Nick Joos said in a statement Thursday. "We will continue to support our student-athletes as our compliance staff works with the NCAA to sort out questions surrounding their future eligibility for athletics competition.”

More:Iowa State QB Hunter Dekkers accused of betting on ISU sports, including football

The probe also resulted in tampering with records charges against five current and former University of Iowa football student-athletes and student-staff. 

Lee started all 12 games for Iowa State last season and recorded 22 tackles. 

Iowa State opens the season against Northern Iowa on Sept. 2, at Jack Trice Stadium. 

Travis Hines covers Iowa State University sports for the Des Moines Register and Ames Tribune. Contact him at thines@amestrib.com or  (515) 284-8000. Follow him at @TravisHines21.

View Comments