PERRY, Iowa — "It fills my soul."
That's what Iowa State redshirt sophomore quarterback Rocco Becht said following his football camp in Perry.
Becht covered all of the expenses for the camp and donated $7,500 to the Perry Youth Football Club using the money he's made from name, image and likeness.
"We talked about where we could give back, and Perry was a perfect place, because, you know, just what they've gone through this whole year. It's devastating."
One student and one faculty member at Perry High School died in a school shooting on Jan. 4. Becht wanted to do anything he could to help.
The event was solely Becht's idea. The 'We Will' Collective helped put together the pieces to make the event happen.
"This is what it's all about," said Executive Director of the We Will Collective, Brent Blum. "The NIL world can be kind of a wild thing, but at the end of the day, there's so much neat impact that could be major. NIL and Rocco is the perfect example of a great kid doing a great thing to impact a really great area."
Becht wasn't the only Cyclone star as many other notable ISU football players joined as volunteers, including; Abu Sama, Jaylin Noel, Jayden Higgins, Myles Purchase, Ben Brahmer, Beau Freyler and Jeremiah Cooper.
"It was just a good time bringing the energy, letting these kids express themselves a little bit, learn a couple things, hopefully, and just have a good time," said Iowa State senior safety Beau Freyler.
For Becht, he enjoyed the day.
"I think the favorite part was just meeting all the kids, getting to know them, having a laugh with them, throwing the ball around with them, teaching them the skills on the field and a little bit off the field."
Becht is a Florida native but day-by-day continues to feel more like an Iowan.
"I feel like the Perry community is like everywhere in Iowa. (The) first time I came here, everybody was nice to me, even if I didn't know them. I mean, in Florida, it's different, but here, everyone's nice, everyone's willing to give back, everyone's willing to give a hand. And I'm just growing onto the Iowan culture. And so I think, I think I'm doing well."
Becht added that he's excited to follow the Perry High School Football team this season.