Iowa’s Week 3 depth chart brought the same theme into sharper focus: the Hawkeyes are still trying to get healthy, and the quarterback picture still isn’t settled.
That matters because the week after a physical win over Iowa State, Iowa is already carrying a few more questions into Northern Iowa. Backup running back L.J.
Phillips Jr. and starting safety Tyler Brown remain out, and there’s also uncertainty around Kamari Moulton and tight end DJ Vonnahme. The list of names to monitor is getting longer, not shorter.
The biggest headline, though, is the one Iowa still hasn’t answered. Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski are both still marked with the dreaded “OR” on the depth chart, meaning the staff hasn’t named a true starter yet. That’s a little surprising after last week, when Brown started against Iowa State and never came out of the game.
Kirk Ferentz had said Brown would open that game and Hecklinski would get in at some point, but that plan changed once the action started. Afterward, Ferentz said he altered the quarterback approach because of "game flow," and Brown finished with 191 passing yards and one rushing TD. Even so, the staff isn’t ready to lock him in for Week 3, and this competition could keep rolling if both quarterbacks play well against UNI.
Moulton’s status is another one worth watching closely. After ripping Northern Illinois for 183 rushing yards and two touchdowns, he was held to 57 yards on 3.7 yards per carry against Iowa State and didn’t score.
He also left late in the fourth quarter, though he remains listed as the starter. Ferentz later said Moulton is "day-to-day," and if he can’t go, Xavier Williams, Nathan McNeil, Brevin Doll, and Braeden Jackson would be the next options.
Then there’s Vonnahme, who is listed as the starting tight end but is unlikely to suit up against Northern Iowa. Ferentz said "there is a good chance" he’ll be ready for the Michigan game, and later added that he "doubts" Vonnahme will be ready for Saturday's game against UNI. If that holds, Addison Ostrenga should get the start, with Zach Ortwerth, Thomas Meyer, and Eli Johnson also in the mix.
The absences of Phillips Jr. and Tyler Brown also continue to shape the lineup. Phillips Jr. left early in Week 1 against Northern Illinois and is still working through a lingering issue.
Ferentz said he is "making good progress," but he’ll miss at least another week. Brown, meanwhile, has been out since spring with a hamstring injury and remains sidelined after arriving from James Madison through the transfer portal.
Without Brown, Zach Lutmer and transfer Anthony Hawkins have been starting at safety, with Jacob Wallace at CASH. And with Phillips Jr. still out, Iowa’s depth at running back will be tested again, especially if Moulton is limited or unavailable.
For Iowa, Week 3 is less about the opponent and more about how many pieces are actually ready to go.
In Other News...
Iowa May Have Found Its Next Linebacker Anchor
Cam Buffington has opened the 2026 season looking every bit like a linebacker Iowa can build around. The third-year defender has piled up 21 total tackles through two games, and his most eye-catching effort came in the Cy-Hawk game against Iowa State, where he was around the ball all afternoon. For a defense that has long valued reliable play in the middle, that kind of early production is hard to ignore.
Kirk Ferentz has already pointed to Buffingtons instincts and potential, praising the way he recognizes plays quickly and accelerates into them. That sort of feel for the game can separate a steady contributor from a true defensive anchor, and Iowa appears to be leaning that way with Buffington. The challenge now is whether he can keep that level of command going as the season starts to deepen and opponents adjust. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa May Have Found The Frontcourt Fix Fans Were Waiting For
Iowa has added a new layer of size to its frontcourt with the arrival of Andrew McKeever, the 7-foot-3 transfer from Saint Marys. A proven bench piece last season, McKeever brings a reputation for cleaning up missed shots and giving a team a different look around the rim, something the Hawkeyes have been searching for as they build toward the upcoming season.
His value could go beyond just being a towering presence in the paint. McKeevers offensive rebounding stood out at Saint Marys, and his role there suggested he can provide steady minutes without needing to be the focal point of an offense. For Iowa, the bigger question now is how that size and production translate in a new setting, and how quickly he can settle into what could be an important frontcourt role. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Heads Into Iowa With Two Troubling Lineup Questions
Michigans 52-17 win over UTEP still left a couple of lingering concerns as the Wolverines turn their attention to Iowa. Jordan Marshall exited because of an injury tied to a previous game, while starting right tackle Andrew Sprague was not available because of an unexpected issue, leaving two key spots in flux as the week moves on.
Kyle Whittingham offered updates on both players conditions and said he was hopeful they could be back for the matchup in Iowa. For a defense-first game on the road, the status of the backfield and the offensive line figures to matter plenty, especially with Michigan having already shown it can get pushed early before settling in. [Read more 🡒]