The college football landscape has shifted, and true freshmen are no longer just bodies for practice. Around the country, young players are showing up ready to compete right away, and Iowa has a few newcomers from the 2026 recruiting class who could push their way into the mix sooner than expected.
One of the most interesting names is Everitt, an Australian punter who gives Iowa another chance to keep its pipeline going at that spot. The Hawkeyes have leaned on Australian punters before, most notably Tory Taylor and Rhys Dakin, who has since left through the transfer portal for Michigan State. Everitt will head into camp battling transfer Tanner Philpott for the starting job.
There’s also a local storyline with Julian Manson, the Iowa City West product who arrives as a four-star linebacker and the top-ranked player in Iowa. Cam Buffington and Jayden Montgomery are expected to handle two linebacker spots, but Manson could climb close to the top of the depth chart if Iowa uses a third linebacker in more traditional looks. For Iowa, landing him was a major win; getting him on the field early would be another one.
On the back end, Darion Jones has a real opening to make noise. With Deshaun Lee set as a starting cornerback and Zach Lutmer moving around at times, another corner has to step in when Lutmer shifts.
Jones, a four-star prospect and the No. 2 player Iowa pulled out of Nebraska, has the size Phil Parker likes at 6-foot-1. He’ll have to beat out Jaylen Watson, Rashad Godfrey Jr., and others, but his talent gives him a path to work into dime or nickel packages when Iowa loads up on defensive backs in passing situations.
And then there’s Tradon Bessinger, whose path may be less about forcing the issue and more about being ready when the moment comes. Quarterback remains a major question for Iowa this season, and with the position still so inexperienced, it’s not hard to imagine Kirk Ferentz turning to a true freshman if the situation demands it.
Bessinger is likely to begin the year as the third-string quarterback, but injuries could change that quickly. If he moves up to backup duties, Iowa fans may not wait long before they start calling for him.
In Other News...
Cooper DeJean Just Gave Iowa Fans More NFL Validation
Cooper DeJeans rise in Philadelphia keeps giving Iowa fans another reason to point and nod. The former Hawkeye defensive back, a second-round pick by the Eagles in the 2024 NFL Draft, has quickly gone from promising rookie to one of the more respected young defensive backs in the league, with his game translating in a way that fits the modern NFL and the kind of versatility Iowa has long prized.
Now the conversation around DeJean is getting bigger than just a breakout season. Coaches, executives and scouts have already placed him among the leagues top cornerbacks heading into 2026, even as the Eagles continue to value his ability to move between slot corner and safety. For Iowa, it is another tidy piece of validation: the program keeps producing defenders who not only reach the NFL, but force teams to figure out exactly how to use them. [Read more 🡒]
Former Hawkeyes Are Already Creating A Summer League Debate
The first night of Las Vegas Summer League gave Iowa fans a familiar sight: former Hawkeyes showing up in the same NBA game and making their presence felt. Bennett Stirtz, Payton Sandfort and Josh Dix all suited up for Oklahoma City in its opener against the Lakers, and each found a way to contribute as the Thunder tried to sort out roles and rotations in a 96-84 loss.
Stirtz finished as Oklahoma Citys top scorer with 18 points, while Sandfort added 10 points and seven rebounds and Dix chipped in eight. Elsewhere, Brendan Hausen was on the Memphis roster but did not play in the Grizzlies one-point win over Chicago, leaving Iowa followers with one more reason to keep an eye on how this cluster of former Hawkeyes is being used as the summer schedule unfolds. [Read more 🡒]