IOWA CITY - Iowa’s quarterback battle is still unresolved, but that’s only part of the picture as the Hawkeyes head into game week.
There is at least one clear answer coming out of fall camp: if Iowa had to line up tomorrow, Cael Winter would start at center. Kade Pieper, meanwhile, is staying at right guard for now after starting all 13 games in 2025. Winter has never made a college start, but he has moved into position to take on a major role after Iowa lost three starters from last season, including center Logan Jones.
“Pieper can play center,” Kirk Ferentz said. “That’s where he’ll be whenever he leaves here, I would think.
At least, that would be my call if I was in charge of that. But really, (Pieper) is just having a good camp and he can play both.
Cael can play both, too, it just seems like he’s more comfortable at center, so we want to get the guys that are probably going to be the most efficient.”
Ferentz said Winter’s progress has been steady, and the coach pointed to the way the Waukee product has carried himself this summer and fall.
“He did a lot of good things in practice a couple of years ago, but it wasn’t that consistent and I’m not sure he maybe understood the investment you’ve got to make to really be good at this," Ferentz said of Winter. "It’s just kind of grown with every phase.
He did it well in the spring, but right now, he’s had a really good camp and really consistent and steady. He’s got the ability and talent.
It’s just the consistency and performance has really stood out. It’s a credit to him.
You can tell, he’s really wired right now.”
Winter was one of several players Ferentz mentioned without being asked. The others were Jack Dotzler, Michael Myslinski, Leighton Jones, Will Hubert, Luke Gaffney, Landyn Van Kekerix, Dayton Howard and Jarriett Buie.
“Some guys nobody really talks about for obvious reasons,” Ferentz said, “but I think you’re going to see those guys playing a lot of football for us.”
The specialist jobs are still unsettled, too. Ferentz grouped quarterback, kicker and punter together as competitions that have not been decided.
At kicker, North Dakota State transfer Eli Ozick is battling preferred walk-on Caden Buhr. At punter, Simpson College transfer Tanner Philpott is competing with Australian newcomer Boston Everitt.
“It kind of goes back and forth, yeah,” Ferentz said. “At times, it looks really good. And then other times, it’s like, ‘Oh boy.’”
Still, Ferentz said the punter spot has been better than expected.
“I hate to say pleasantly surprised, but I’d say that about our punters,” Ferentz said. “I thought that might be a real rollercoaster - and it may still, OK, I don’t want to jinx anybody - but they’re both doing a good job in practice.
Boston, kind of like Tory (Taylor), this is his first exposure to football. I think he’s handling it well.
And Tanner’s done a good job. It may be one guy does the plus-50 and one does the other stuff.
We’ll see how it plays out. But that’s been a pleasant surprise.
All that being said, my experience is with new punters, usually you’ve got a little (up and down) early, and then hopefully it settles out and steadies out.”
Philpott earned AFCA Division III second-team All-American honors last season, while Everitt has never played in an American football game.
On defense, Tyler Brown remains out with a soft tissue injury and is “very iffy” for the season opener. He had been projected to start in the secondary, and Villanova transfer Anthony Hawkins has been getting work at strong safety in his absence.
There was better news up front, though, as defensive lineman Kenneth Merrieweather is back after missing Kids’ Day at Kinnick.
That defensive line remains Iowa’s biggest question on that side of the ball because of its lack of college experience and production, even as Ferentz said the group is moving in the right direction.
“We’re seeing some good progress and some growth,” Ferentz said of Iowa’s defensive line. “But again, we’re a young team and practices are really important, whether it’s a high-tempo practice or a lower one.
But game action - it’s hard to substitute that. I think all of us are curious to see how they respond when we get out there in game action.
The bad news is, we don’t have much experience. The good news is, the guys are all improving and I think they’ve got a real opportunity to play well.”
Cornerback looks more settled, with Deshaun Lee, Jaylen Watson, Jacob Wallace and Rashad Godfrey Jr. giving Iowa depth there. Wallace is also in the mix at Cash.
Ferentz also compared Lee’s rise to TJ Hall’s path. Hall had an uneven career before breaking through last season and becoming an NFL Draft pick, and Ferentz said Lee has taken a similar step.
“I’m not saying Deshaun is the same as TJ Hall last year, but it’s similar in that he’s a veteran guy who's playing his best football," Ferentz said. "You’ve heard me say it before: Our best guys have to play their best or we’re going to be in trouble. He’s done that, and he’s really had a good camp and good leadership from him.”
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