Alert Top Story COLLEGE FOOTBALL | IOWA Cedar Falls native in the “thick of things” as Iowa looks for new defensive line stars ethan.petrik Aug 19, 2026 Aug 19, 2026 Updated 8 hrs ago 0 × Drew Campbell | Iowa Football | Aug. 14 Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save IOWA CITY — No Iowa position group got hit harder by graduation and transfer portal departures than the Hawkeyes’ defensive line.kAmx@H2 =@DE =@?8E:>6 4@?EC:3FE@CD |2I {==6H6==J?[ p2C@? vC2G6D 2?5 tE92? wFC<6EE[ H9@ 6I92FDE65 E96:C 6=:8:3:=:EJ 2?5 962565 E@ E96 }u{] y6C6>:29 !:EE>2? 2?5 y@?29 !246 8C25F2E65[ 2?5 qC:2? p==6? EC2?D76CC65 @FE @7 E96 AC@8C2> 2?5 =2?565 2E '2?56C3:=E]k^Am Iowa's Drew Campbell enters the field at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City ahead of the Hawkeyes' Kids' Day open practice on Saturday, August 15. ETHAN PETRIK, Quad-City Times kAm~7 E96 ?:?6 5676?D:G6 =:?6>6? =:DE65 :? 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AC24E:46 367@C6[” r2>A36== D2:5]k^Am kA 4=2DDlQE?4>D\:?=:?6\=:?<Qmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^B4E:>6D]4@>^E?4>D^2DD6E^65:E@C:2=^_ac_hg5b\`dc2\cg_`\hfdc\22hd`7ce3g_3Qmw@H x@H2 AC6A2C65 EC2?D76C H:56 C646:G6CD 7@C q:8 %6? A=2Jk^2mk^AmkA 4=2DDlQE?4>D\:?=:?6\=:?<Qmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^B4E:>6D]4@>^E?4>D^2DD6E^65:E@C:2=^27464ad6\fh45\cb26\3fe`\d_f__`5cdd`bQm%96 x@H2 "q 32EE=6 H2D?’E 564:565 @? $2EFC52J] w6C6’D 9@H :E H:== 36k^2mk^Am Ethan Petrik is a University of Iowa beat writer for the Lee Enterprises network. Follow him on X or send him an email at ethan.petrik@wcfcourier.com. 0 Comments ethan.petrik Author email Follow ethan.petrik Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Related to this story Drew Campbell | Iowa Football | Aug. 14 Drew Campbell | Iowa Football | Aug. 14 How Iowa prepared transfer wide receivers for Big Ten play Tony Diaz and Evan James arrived at Iowa undersized for Big Ten play. Eight months later, Tim Lester says both have added about 20 pounds. The Iowa QB battle wasn’t decided on Saturday. Here’s how it will be Jeremy Hecklinski threw five touchdowns at Kids’ Day, but Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz cautioned against reading too much into one practice in… How much is Iowa paying Northern Iowa, Northern Illinois for 2026 football matchups? Iowa football will pay Northern Illinois and Northern Iowa a combined $2.3 million for their 2026 visits to Kinnick Stadium. Petrik: The three things that define Iowa football … according to fans of the 12 teams it faces in 2026 Ask fans of Iowa’s 2026 opponents what defines Hawkeye football, and the answers are remarkably consistent — and it's what college football co… Three-star offensive lineman, son of Iowa coach, commits to Hawkeyes Staying home. Iowa City West offensive lineman James Barnett committed to the Hawkeyes, becoming Iowa's second 2028 pledge. What Kirk Ferentz, Iowa football players told us at Big Ten Media Days The Iowa football program, represented by head coach Kirk Ferentz, defensive back Zach Lutmer, linebacker Jayden Montgomery and tight end Addi… Why Kirk Ferentz made special teams a priority at Iowa In the 1980s, then offensive line coach Kirk Ferentz hated coaching the Hawkeyes' punt team. Now, Iowa is the gold standard for special teams.… Which Hawkeye legends did Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz classify Tony Diaz alongside? Tony Diaz has generated buzz all offseason. Kirk Ferentz just added even more fuel to the conversation with his comments at Big Ten Media Days. Why Iowa star defensive back hopes to be Hawkeyes’ Kaden Wetjen replacement Kirk Ferentz says he’s never coached a returner like Kaden Wetjen. Zach Lutmer hopes to be next in line. What we learned at Big Ten Football Media Days Could Iowa sport a jersey patch? Is the playoff expanding to 24 teams? Here's the latest from Big Ten football media days from Chicago. How Tony Diaz landed at Iowa over blue-blood offers An overlooked recruit. A startup program. Now a Hawkeye. Tony Diaz’s journey is built on betting on himself. Iowa rising tight end star DJ Vonnahme brings new mentality, expectations into 2026 DJ Vonnahme's rise has changed everything. Now the Hawkeyes' breakout tight end is embracing the expectations that come with success. Watch: Iowa quarterbacks, running backs, pass catchers breakdown summer workouts Members of the Iowa football program, including quarterbacks Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski, met with the media on Wednesday to discuss the … How an NFL head coach helped Tim Lester land his first QB as Iowa’s offensive coordinator A FaceTime call from Packers coach Matt LaFleur turned into an unexpected recruiting pitch for Iowa offensive coordinator Tim Lester. Here's h… What NFL comp did rising Iowa tight end get from Hawkeyes offensive coordinator? DJ Vonnahme went from deep on the depth chart to Iowa’s top receiver. Now Tim Lester sees similarities to an NFL star. 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No starter named at quarterback as Iowa readies for 2026 opener Iowa’s quarterback competition remains unresolved. Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski share the top line on the Hawkeyes’ first depth chart of 2026. What we learned from Iowa's first depth chart of the 2026 football season Iowa settled several offseason position battles with its Week 1 depth chart, including new starters across the offensive and defensive lines. What we learned at Iowa football's midweek availability before 2026 season opener Before this weekend's season opener, members of the Iowa football program met with the media on Tuesday to discuss Northern Illinois, the quar… Kirk Ferentz: Iowa wasn’t ‘trying to be coy or cute’ with quarterback situation The “OR” on Iowa’s depth chart is no smokescreen. Kirk Ferentz says the quarterback competition remains close, but a decision as to who will "… Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz expects season opener to bring clarity to unsettled depth chart Iowa has named its starters, but Kirk Ferentz says several jobs remain unsettled. Saturday’s opener against Northern Illinois should provide s… How Marcello Vitti became the only freshman on Iowa’s depth chart Marcello Vitti arrived at Iowa as a four-star signee. A strong fall camp has already pushed the freshman into the Hawkeyes’ two-deep and earne… Life inside Iowa’s QB battle: How Hank Brown, Jeremy Hecklinski managed split reps Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski have split first-team reps for months. They’ve learned to make the snaps they don’t take nearly as valuable. What moving Iowa’s standard forward means for linebacker Cam Buffington Cam Buffington grew up an Iowa fan. On Saturday, he’ll make his first start for the Hawkeyes at a position where he knows expectations run high. 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Plus, … Moulton’s ground dominance, suffocating defense paved way for Iowa’s blowout win over NIU Iowa’s offense started fast. Its defense barely let Northern Illinois move. The result was a 40-0 season-opening win. Here's how it happened. Iowa quarterback battle remains undecided after season-opener Hank Brown started Iowa’s opener, but Kirk Ferentz cautioned against reading too much into it. The Hawkeyes’ quarterback battle rolls on into … What Iowa said after beating Northern Illinois in 2026 season opener Iowa rolled to a season-opening win. Now hear from the Hawkeyes. Watch them react to their 40-0 season-opening win over Northern Illinois. Watch Now: Related Video Kirk Ferentz on Caden Buhr | Iowa football | Sept. 8 Jeremy Hecklinski | Iowa Football | Sept. 8 Jeremy Hecklinski | Iowa Football | Sept. 8 Devan Kennedy | Iowa Football | Sept. 8 Devan Kennedy | Iowa Football | Sept. 8 Tony Diaz | Iowa Football | Sept. 8 Tony Diaz | Iowa Football | Sept. 8 Recommended for you
ethan.petrik Author email Follow ethan.petrik Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today
How Iowa prepared transfer wide receivers for Big Ten play Tony Diaz and Evan James arrived at Iowa undersized for Big Ten play. Eight months later, Tim Lester says both have added about 20 pounds.
The Iowa QB battle wasn’t decided on Saturday. Here’s how it will be Jeremy Hecklinski threw five touchdowns at Kids’ Day, but Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz cautioned against reading too much into one practice in…
How much is Iowa paying Northern Iowa, Northern Illinois for 2026 football matchups? Iowa football will pay Northern Illinois and Northern Iowa a combined $2.3 million for their 2026 visits to Kinnick Stadium.
Petrik: The three things that define Iowa football … according to fans of the 12 teams it faces in 2026 Ask fans of Iowa’s 2026 opponents what defines Hawkeye football, and the answers are remarkably consistent — and it's what college football co…
Three-star offensive lineman, son of Iowa coach, commits to Hawkeyes Staying home. Iowa City West offensive lineman James Barnett committed to the Hawkeyes, becoming Iowa's second 2028 pledge.
What Kirk Ferentz, Iowa football players told us at Big Ten Media Days The Iowa football program, represented by head coach Kirk Ferentz, defensive back Zach Lutmer, linebacker Jayden Montgomery and tight end Addi…
Why Kirk Ferentz made special teams a priority at Iowa In the 1980s, then offensive line coach Kirk Ferentz hated coaching the Hawkeyes' punt team. Now, Iowa is the gold standard for special teams.…
Which Hawkeye legends did Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz classify Tony Diaz alongside? Tony Diaz has generated buzz all offseason. Kirk Ferentz just added even more fuel to the conversation with his comments at Big Ten Media Days.
Why Iowa star defensive back hopes to be Hawkeyes’ Kaden Wetjen replacement Kirk Ferentz says he’s never coached a returner like Kaden Wetjen. Zach Lutmer hopes to be next in line.
What we learned at Big Ten Football Media Days Could Iowa sport a jersey patch? Is the playoff expanding to 24 teams? Here's the latest from Big Ten football media days from Chicago.
How Tony Diaz landed at Iowa over blue-blood offers An overlooked recruit. A startup program. Now a Hawkeye. Tony Diaz’s journey is built on betting on himself.
Iowa rising tight end star DJ Vonnahme brings new mentality, expectations into 2026 DJ Vonnahme's rise has changed everything. Now the Hawkeyes' breakout tight end is embracing the expectations that come with success.
Watch: Iowa quarterbacks, running backs, pass catchers breakdown summer workouts Members of the Iowa football program, including quarterbacks Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski, met with the media on Wednesday to discuss the …
How an NFL head coach helped Tim Lester land his first QB as Iowa’s offensive coordinator A FaceTime call from Packers coach Matt LaFleur turned into an unexpected recruiting pitch for Iowa offensive coordinator Tim Lester. Here's h…
What NFL comp did rising Iowa tight end get from Hawkeyes offensive coordinator? DJ Vonnahme went from deep on the depth chart to Iowa’s top receiver. Now Tim Lester sees similarities to an NFL star.
The story behind Iowa’s military appreciation helmet decals, a program staple since 2011 The Iowa football program rarely strays from its standard black and gold look, but one alternate uniform variant has endured and made 10 appea…
What new 5-for-5 eligibility model means for Iowa football The NCAA’s new eligibility model gives athletes five seasons within five years. For Iowa, that could mean more freshmen getting early opportunities.
Why Iowa’s running back room will be a strength again in 2026 Iowa felt good about its running back depth last season. With three productive returners and South Dakota transfer LJ Phillips, that confidenc…
Iowa football faces rare overhaul on special teams in 2026 Kirk Ferentz can’t remember another season when Iowa had to replace all four specialists. That’s the challenge facing the Hawkeyes in 2026.
Waterloo West alum, Carson Nielsen settles in at Iowa after growing up a Hawkeye fan Seeing “NIELSEN” across the back of an Iowa jersey meant something extra to Carson Nielsen. The lifelong Hawkeye fan is finally beginning his …
Kirk Ferentz: Iowa QB battle ‘really dead even’ with week to go before season opener Iowa still has no clear starting quarterback, with Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski remaining deadlocked little more than a week before the se…
Rock Valley alum Landyn Van Kekerix in line for bigger role at Iowa Landyn Van Kekerix spent years learning behind Iowa’s standout linebackers. In his final season, the veteran appears positioned for a bigger r…
How did freshman quarterback Tradon Bessinger land at Iowa and why is he turning heads Tradon Bessinger knew Iowa’s offense would be challenging. The freshman quarterback is already earning praise for how he’s attacking it.
No starter named at quarterback as Iowa readies for 2026 opener Iowa’s quarterback competition remains unresolved. Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski share the top line on the Hawkeyes’ first depth chart of 2026.
What we learned from Iowa's first depth chart of the 2026 football season Iowa settled several offseason position battles with its Week 1 depth chart, including new starters across the offensive and defensive lines.
What we learned at Iowa football's midweek availability before 2026 season opener Before this weekend's season opener, members of the Iowa football program met with the media on Tuesday to discuss Northern Illinois, the quar…
Kirk Ferentz: Iowa wasn’t ‘trying to be coy or cute’ with quarterback situation The “OR” on Iowa’s depth chart is no smokescreen. Kirk Ferentz says the quarterback competition remains close, but a decision as to who will "…
Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz expects season opener to bring clarity to unsettled depth chart Iowa has named its starters, but Kirk Ferentz says several jobs remain unsettled. Saturday’s opener against Northern Illinois should provide s…
How Marcello Vitti became the only freshman on Iowa’s depth chart Marcello Vitti arrived at Iowa as a four-star signee. A strong fall camp has already pushed the freshman into the Hawkeyes’ two-deep and earne…
Life inside Iowa’s QB battle: How Hank Brown, Jeremy Hecklinski managed split reps Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski have split first-team reps for months. They’ve learned to make the snaps they don’t take nearly as valuable.
What moving Iowa’s standard forward means for linebacker Cam Buffington Cam Buffington grew up an Iowa fan. On Saturday, he’ll make his first start for the Hawkeyes at a position where he knows expectations run high.
How Boston Everitt, Bettendorf’s Caden Buhr separated themselves as Iowa’s starting specialists Iowa had to replace all four specialists entering 2026. Consistency helped Boston Everitt and Caden Buhr earn the first opportunities at punte…
Iowa offensive notes: Diaz eyes growth, new line gels and inside Vonnahme's rise From Tony Diaz’s expectations to a rebuilt offensive line and DJ Vonnahme’s rise, here’s what we learned about Iowa’s offense stars before the…
Iowa downs Northern Illinois in season-opener Iowa enters Saturday 9-1 all-time against Northern Illinois. All eyes will be on quarterback, where Hank Brown gets the first snaps. Check bac…
Instant Reaction to Iowa's blowout win over NIU: Quarterbacks show why battle has been so close Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski both made their cases Saturday — and both showed why Iowa’s quarterback competition remains unsettled. Plus, …
Moulton’s ground dominance, suffocating defense paved way for Iowa’s blowout win over NIU Iowa’s offense started fast. Its defense barely let Northern Illinois move. The result was a 40-0 season-opening win. Here's how it happened.
Iowa quarterback battle remains undecided after season-opener Hank Brown started Iowa’s opener, but Kirk Ferentz cautioned against reading too much into it. The Hawkeyes’ quarterback battle rolls on into …
What Iowa said after beating Northern Illinois in 2026 season opener Iowa rolled to a season-opening win. Now hear from the Hawkeyes. Watch them react to their 40-0 season-opening win over Northern Illinois.
