Alert Top Story COLLEGE FOOTBALL | IOWA What we learned from Iowa's first depth chart of the 2026 football season ethan.petrik Aug 31, 2026 Aug 31, 2026 Updated 1 hr ago 0 × Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz meets with media on Aug. 26, 2026. Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save IOWA CITY — The Iowa football program released its first depth chart of the 2026 season on Monday.kAmk2 E2C86ElQ03=2?<Q 9C67lQ9EEADi^^B4E:>6D]4@>^E?4>D^2DD6E^65:E@C:2=^3d66af46\gch4\c_3f\3fge\76ee2a2cc7cb^Q E:E=6lQ}@ DE2CE6C ?2>65 2E BF2CE6C324< 2D x@H2 C625:6D 7@C a_ae @A6?6CQm%96 w2H<6J6D 5:5 ?@E ?2>6 2 DE2CE:?8 BF2CE6C324<[k^2m 3FE D6EE=65 2 ?F>36C @7 @E96C @77D62D@? 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Sign Up Today Related to this story Kirk Ferentz updates Iowa football’s QB competition, key developments ahead of 2026 season Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz meets with media on Aug. 26, 2026. 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. 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. 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… Former Quad-City Times reporter Steve Batterson named to Kinnick Media Wall of Fame Steve Batterson spent 38 years chronicling Iowa sports and the Quad-Cities. His career will now be honored on the Kinnick Media Wall of Fame. 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… 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 … 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. 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… Cedar Falls native in the “thick of things” as Iowa looks for new defensive line stars The game has slowed down for Drew Campbell entering year three. His opportunity is speeding up as Iowa rebuilds its defensive front. 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. Thomas Meyer was the ‘most advanced freshman’ Abdul Hodge has seen, now he’s ready for year two Thomas Meyer impressed Iowa coaches with his maturity from the moment he arrived. A year later, the tight end is ready for more. 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. 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 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… Watch Now: Related Video Kirk Ferentz on Iowa’s Quarterback Situation | Iowa Football | Sept. 1 Kirk Ferentz | Iowa Football | Sept. 1 Kirk Ferentz | Iowa Football | Sept. 1 Jeremy Hecklinski | Iowa Football | Sept. 1 Jeremy Hecklinski | Iowa Football | Sept. 1 Trevor Lauck | Iowa Football | Sept. 1 Trevor Lauck | Iowa Football | Sept. 1 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
Kirk Ferentz updates Iowa football’s QB competition, key developments ahead of 2026 season Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz meets with media on Aug. 26, 2026.
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.
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.
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…
Former Quad-City Times reporter Steve Batterson named to Kinnick Media Wall of Fame Steve Batterson spent 38 years chronicling Iowa sports and the Quad-Cities. His career will now be honored on the Kinnick Media Wall of Fame.
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…
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 …
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.
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…
Cedar Falls native in the “thick of things” as Iowa looks for new defensive line stars The game has slowed down for Drew Campbell entering year three. His opportunity is speeding up as Iowa rebuilds its defensive front.
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.
Thomas Meyer was the ‘most advanced freshman’ Abdul Hodge has seen, now he’s ready for year two Thomas Meyer impressed Iowa coaches with his maturity from the moment he arrived. A year later, the tight end is ready for more.
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.
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 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…