Iowa is back in the preseason spotlight, and the first national snapshot has the Hawkeyes sitting at No. 22 in the Coaches Poll.
That puts Kirk Ferentz’s team in the mix before a snap has been played, even as the roster enters the season with plenty of uncertainty. Iowa is one of the least experienced Power Four teams in the country, but there are still some familiar pieces returning, including defensive back Zach Lutmer, tight end DJ Vonnahme, offensive lineman Trevor Lauck and center Kade Pieper. On the other side of the ball, Phil Parker remains the steady force guiding the defense, and his reputation for consistency continues to carry real weight.
Ferentz made it clear that the program’s focus is on the day-to-day work ahead, not the ranking itself.
"Obviously our program, I think it's imperative, for us to be successful, we have to really do a good job of handling each phase. Our players hear that a lot from me. So far they've done a good job each step of the way."
He also pointed directly to the calendar in front of Iowa, with camp now here and the season still taking shape.
"Right now the only thing that matters is what we do in the month of August. Camp starts soon.
That's paramount at this stage. Certainly looking forward to this season.
The last five years a lot of change and variables in college football. Wouldn't want to venture a guess where it's all going.
Right now what happens between now and December is pretty much laid out. That's where our focus is."
The biggest question hanging over the Hawkeyes is under center. Fall camp opened Monday, and the quarterback battle is already the central storyline. Jeremy Hecklinski and Hank Brown are set to spend the next month fighting for the job, with HawkeyeInsider noting the competition on Monday.
Ferentz said the staff does not yet have an answer at quarterback, and he didn’t try to dress it up.
"First question obviously is going to be the quarterback position. Bottom line is this: right now we don't know the answer.
I can only tell you we'll know the answer when we know it. Hopefully sometime in August that will become apparent.
It may be in-season. Can't rule out any possibilities.
"The bottom line is we don't really know who our starter is at this point, but are really pleased with the guys that are competing and the growth they've shown in the program now a year-plus. That part's good."
Iowa Media Day is set for August 14, followed by the open fall practice on August 15.
The Hawkeyes will open the season on September 5 against Northern Illinois. After that, they’ll finish non-conference play with games against Iowa State and Northern Iowa before heading to Michigan for the Big Ten opener.
Other Big Ten teams in the preseason Coaches Poll include No. 19 Washington, No.
17 Penn State, No. 16 Michigan, No.
14 USC, No. 6 Indiana, No.
2 Oregon and No. 1 Ohio State.
In Other News...
Iowa May Be Closing In On A Needed Frontcourt Answer
Iowas search for frontcourt help has taken another meaningful step, as top-2027 post prospect Khalia Hartwell has lined up an official visit with the Hawkeyes in September 2026. Hartwell, who first received an offer from Iowa in September 2025, fits the kind of profile the staff has been targeting as it looks to reinforce the paint before roster changes start to reshape the depth chart.
The Hawkeyes have been pursuing multiple high-end post players, and the urgency makes sense with future eligibility questions looming. Hartwells reputation starts with her defense, where she already brings the kind of rim protection and physical presence Iowa can build around, while her offensive game still has room to grow. For a program trying to solve a size issue before it becomes a bigger problem, landing her on campus is a significant sign of where things may be headed. [Read more 🡒]
Three Hawkeyes Could Shape Iowas 2026 Future In A Big Way
Iowas roster building for 2026 is already getting a preview from a few players who could end up mattering a lot more than they do right now. Receiver Tony Diaz, defensive player Anthony Hawkins and running back Kamari Moulton each bring a different kind of upside, and each arrives with a reason for the Hawkeyes to believe they can help shape what comes next. Diaz comes in from UT Rio Grande Valley with a track record that has drawn attention, Hawkins arrives from Villanova with the kind of size and skill set that can translate quickly, and Moulton has already shown he can be a steady part of the offense.
What makes the group especially interesting is how much their value could rise if they deliver the way Iowa hopes. Moulton already has a current NIL valuation of $385,000, which underscores how established his profile is compared with many players at this stage. If Diaz and Hawkins become immediate contributors and Moulton keeps building on his consistency, the Hawkeyes could end up with three players who do more than fill roles in 2026. Their production may also open the door to bigger NIL opportunities, which is part of the modern equation every program has to track closely. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa Camp Battles Will Decide How Fast Key Newcomers Can Deliver
Fall camp is about to become the first real sorting test for Iowas 2026 roster, with the Hawkeyes set to open against Northern Illinois and several newcomers trying to force their way into meaningful roles right away. Defensive end Iose Epenesa, tight end DJ Vonnahme, wide receiver Tony Diaz, safety Tyler Brown and linebacker Jayden Montgomery are among the names worth watching as Iowa works through the kind of competition that usually says as much about the depth chart as any spring practice ever could.
The urgency is obvious on both sides of the ball after notable roster turnover, especially along the defensive line and at safety, where Iowa needs dependable answers fast. The transfers brought in to help fill those gaps add another layer to camp, but the real story will be how quickly the holdovers and arrivals separate themselves once the pads come on and the reps get real. [Read more 🡒]