Iowa’s offensive line is back in the national spotlight.
CBS Sports put the Hawkeyes at No. 9 in its preseason ranking of the top offensive lines in the country, a strong vote of confidence for a group that has become one of the program’s defining strengths under George Barnett.
That respect comes even with major turnover. Gennings Dunker, Logan Jones, and Beau Stephens are now in the NFL, leaving Iowa with plenty to replace after the Joe Moore Award-winning unit helped fuel the program’s best offensive season this decade in 2025. The challenge now is repeating that level of play in 2026.
CBS’ Blake Brockermeyer pointed to two returning starters as the foundation. Kade Pieper is back with nearly 900 career snaps and is expected to slide inside to help anchor the group.
Brockermeyer praised his toughness and run-blocking ability, writing that Pieper “is scrappy and a fighter, but excels as a run blocker with quick feet and the ability to reach defenders on the front side and cut off defenders on the back side. Pieper is good in space and is a problem on the second level.”
Trevor Lauck is also back to handle the blind side, and Brockermeyer highlighted the way he varies his sets and brings value in the run game. The rest of the projected starting five includes Leighton Jones at left guard after 125 snaps last season, Trent Wilson at right guard after nearly 400 snaps at James Madison, and Jack Dotzler, who is described as a strong run blocker with some work still needed in dropback pass protection.
There’s also a depth piece in Mike Myslinski, who was granted a sixth year of eligibility and can help at center. His presence could also allow Iowa to move Pieper back outside if needed.
Brockermeyer ranked Iowa third in the Big Ten, behind Ohio State and Indiana, which says plenty about how highly the Hawkeyes are still regarded despite the questions. The unit may be younger and less proven than last year’s group, but the belief in Iowa’s offensive line factory remains strong.
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