The Iowa Hawkeyes are no strangers to roster turnover. It’s part of the deal when you’re consistently developing NFL-caliber talent.
Players come in, get coached up, and move on to the next level - it’s the Iowa way. And while the 2025 squad is set to lose its fair share of production, the 2026 roster is already showing signs that the pipeline is alive and well.
That’s not just coach-speak or offseason optimism - the talent is being recognized nationally. Two Hawkeyes have landed on On3’s Top 100 college football players list heading into the 2026 season.
Offensive tackle Trevor Lauck checks in at No. 51, and defensive back Zach Lutmer isn’t far behind at No. 54.
Both are homegrown, hard-nosed players who fit the Iowa mold to a tee - and both are poised to take another leap forward this fall.
Let’s start with Lauck. At 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds, he’s exactly what you want anchoring your offensive line - a big, physical presence with the footwork and technique to match.
Now entering his third year in the program, Lauck has already logged 16 games of experience and locked down the left tackle spot in 2025. That’s no small feat, considering the left side of the line was a major question mark heading into last season.
But Lauck didn’t just hold his own - he brought stability and consistency to a group that needed it. That kind of growth, from promising recruit to trusted blindside protector, is what Iowa does best.
And then there’s Zach Lutmer, who might be the next in a long line of standout Iowa defensive backs. Hailing from Rock Rapids, Iowa, and a product of Central Lyon High School, Lutmer didn’t just show flashes in 2025 - he showed up week in and week out.
Starting all 13 games, he racked up 71 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, a sack, 10 pass breakups, and three interceptions. That’s the kind of stat line that jumps off the page, especially for a player who’s still scratching the surface of his potential.
What makes Lutmer so intriguing isn’t just the production - it’s how he plays. He’s instinctive, aggressive, and always around the football.
Whether he’s flying downhill in run support or breaking up passes in coverage, he’s got the kind of versatility that can make a defensive coordinator sleep a little easier at night. And with another offseason under his belt, there’s every reason to believe he’ll be even better in 2026.
So yes, Iowa is losing some key pieces from last year’s team. But if history tells us anything, it’s that the Hawkeyes don’t rebuild - they reload. And with players like Lauck and Lutmer leading the charge, the next wave of Iowa football is already taking shape.