Almost all the buzz around Iowa’s first depth chart this season centered on the quarterback situation. But tucked into the release was a name that jumps off the page for a different reason: Marcello Vitti.
The true freshman defensive back is the only freshman listed on either side of the ball in Iowa’s initial depth chart, and he’s already in the mix at strong safety. Vitti is listed as a backup there alongside Robert Morris transfer Xavier Styles, a sign that he’s not just filling out a roster spot - he’s pushing for real snaps.
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said Tuesday that Vitti, Styles and Villanova transfer Anthony Hawkins have all made steady progress, and all three are part of the conversation for playing time.
"Not catch-up, but they've all got a level there where they've got to move up, and they've just all daily gotten better," Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said on Tuesday when asked of Vitti, Robert Morris transfer Xavier Styles, and Villanova transfer Anthony Hawkins. "They work hard and have good attitudes. All a little different discussion, but I think all three of those guys right now are in the thick of things for playing time, and they're playing on special teams, that type of deal."
Ferentz also pointed out the next step for that group is handling the mental side once the games begin.
"The question with them is how quickly can they pick things up? They've done a good job in practice, but now you get into game competition, and safeties have to make some calls, recognition stuff, all that. It's a full day's work."
Vitti arrived in Iowa City after a major recruiting win for the Hawkeyes in the 2026 class. The Dearborn, Mich., Divine Child product picked Iowa over several Big Ten and SEC programs, stayed committed despite continued pressure from other schools, and enrolled early in January. From the start, Iowa’s staff believed he could help sooner rather than later, and that possibility looks more real now with his place on the depth chart and the chance to contribute on special teams this fall.
Defensive coordinator Phil Parker has already singled out Vitti for the way he processes the game. Parker said last month that the freshman could factor in at CASH in Iowa’s 4-2-5 scheme and has also been taking plenty of reps at free safety.
"There are a lot of guys making great improvements and growth so, but overall they've all been here since the spring so it's not like somebody has come in and dropped off," Parker said at Media Day last month. "One freshman on the backend that I could say, Vitti is a guy who studies and understands the game a little bit more, and hopefully can get on special teams and help us like Darion Jones."
The production Vitti showed in high school explains why Iowa pushed hard to land him. As a senior, he won Gatorade Player of the Year in Michigan and helped Divine Child win the MHSAA Division 4 State Football Championship. He piled up 1,374 rushing yards on 191 carries with 21 touchdowns, added 19 receptions for 443 yards and three scores, and turned in a strong defensive line with 87 tackles, eight tackles for loss and 10 pass breakups.
He carried that versatility into Iowa’s spring open practice, where he made plays in coverage, knocked away passes and delivered a heavy hit to force a drop. That showing has continued into fall camp, where he’s kept making a case for more work.
On Tuesday, Iowa quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski even drew a comparison to another Hawkeye defensive back when speaking to the media.
"I would say he's a young Lut," Hecklinski said on Tuesday, via the Quad City Times. "I think that's what they're going to turn him into, is how Lutmer plays, that's how he'll play. He's been really good and has disrupted some passes and done some good things."
That kind of comparison fits the way Iowa viewed him during recruiting, when the staff saw Geno Stone-like traits in Vitti because of his size and his ability to handle coverage and run support.
Vitti said the draw to Iowa was Parker and the defensive culture, and he’s been clear that the fit has felt right from the start.
"It's been a lot of fun learning from the great Coach Parker," Vitti said. "He gets on you, wants you to be the best player you can be, but he wants you to be a better man, a better young man. He's a great coach, and I enjoy coming in every day and learning new things."
"I came here for Coach Parker and the Iowa defense. It's working out pretty well and I love being here.
I feel the culture with the defense, I love what we stand for, and I like how I'm coached. I'm really glad I made this decision."
Iowa’s secondary does have experience at the top, with Deshaun Lee and Jaylen Watson at cornerback and Tyler Brown and Lutmer at safety. But there’s also a clear youth movement underneath that group, with players like Watson, Jacob Wallace, Rashad Godfrey and Hawkins all still early in their careers, and freshmen such as Darion Jones and Vitti already getting chances to grow fast.
Vitti is one of two true freshmen on the initial depth chart, joining longsnapper Matty McLaughlin. Other freshmen expected to have roles this fall include Jones and wide receiver Brody Schaffer, who has worked with both the first and second offense during fall camp.
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