As Iowa gears up for its ReliaQuest Bowl showdown with Vanderbilt, the next couple of weeks are about more than just game prep - they’re about the future. This is the stretch where the Hawkeyes start to get a real sense of what next year’s depth chart might look like.
With bowl practices in full swing, it’s a golden window for young players to earn their stripes. Whether it’s on special teams or in rotational roles, this is their shot - and the coaching staff is watching closely.
For Kirk Ferentz and company, these practices are just as much about evaluation as they are about execution. The veterans are mostly locked in, but for the younger guys and fringe contributors, every rep is a chance to climb the ladder. And with several key starters expected back next season - including Trevor Lauck, Leighton Jones, Michael Myslinski, Kade Pieper, and Jack Dotzler - the real intrigue lies in who will emerge as the next wave of contributors behind them.
Let’s break down the key position battles unfolding during bowl prep and heading into the spring - starting with the offensive line.
Offensive Line: Building the Next Layer
With the starting five largely intact heading into 2026, Iowa’s focus shifts to identifying the next three or four linemen who can step in at a moment’s notice. Depth is everything in the trenches, especially in the Big Ten, where physicality and attrition are constants.
Injuries happen. Fatigue sets in.
And when it does, you need backups who can step in without missing a beat.
The competition for those backup roles is wide open. The coaching staff will be looking for consistency in technique, physical development, and mental processing - especially in pass protection, where one blown assignment can derail a drive. Bowl prep gives these younger linemen a chance to go against first-team defenders in controlled environments, which is invaluable for growth and evaluation.
It’s also a time when coaches can experiment. Don’t be surprised if players are shuffled around a bit - a tackle getting reps at guard, or a center working on snapping under pressure. Flexibility is a huge asset, and the more a lineman can do, the more valuable he becomes in the rotation.
Special Teams: A Proving Ground
For many young players, special teams are the gateway to bigger roles. It’s where you show you can play with discipline, physicality, and awareness - all under the microscope of live game reps. Expect several underclassmen to get trial runs on kick coverage, punt return units, and other special teams packages during bowl prep.
This isn’t just filler time. Iowa’s staff takes special teams seriously, and standout performances here can lead to more opportunities elsewhere. It’s also a way to test how players handle pressure and adapt in real-time - qualities that translate across all phases of the game.
What Comes Next
Once the bowl game is in the books, the focus shifts to winter workouts and spring ball. That’s when the picture really starts to come into focus.
But what happens over these next couple of weeks matters - a lot. This is where momentum is built.
It’s where players earn trust. And it’s where the seeds of next season’s depth chart are planted.
For Iowa, the ReliaQuest Bowl is more than just a postseason matchup. It’s a proving ground - not just for the team that takes the field against Vanderbilt, but for the future of the program. And for the young Hawkeyes looking to make their mark, the clock is ticking - and the opportunity is right in front of them.