IOWA CITY, Iowa - Kirk Ferentz has never been one to chase headlines in the transfer portal, but this offseason, he's shifting gears - and it’s already paying dividends. Iowa just landed a key addition to its defensive front with the commitment of North Dakota defensive tackle Emmanuel Olagbaju. At 6-foot-3 and 295 pounds, Olagbaju brings size, speed, and potential to a Hawkeye defensive line in serious need of reinforcements.
Olagbaju initially committed to UConn after entering the portal, but Iowa made a late push and secured his pledge. It’s a savvy pickup for defensive line coach Kelvin Bell, who’s looking to rebuild a unit that’s seen a lot of turnover.
Olagbaju, who posted 11 tackles and 2.5 sacks last season, isn’t just a space-eater - he reportedly runs a sub-4.9 40-yard dash, which is rare juice for a player his size. That kind of athleticism doesn’t just plug gaps - it creates pressure.
With Aaron Graves, Max Llewellyn, Ethan Hurkett, and several depth pieces no longer in the fold - and Brian Allen Jr. now at Vanderbilt - Iowa’s defensive line room has been thinned out. That’s why Olagbaju’s arrival matters.
He’s the kind of player who can rotate in early and potentially grow into a bigger role. And if he meshes well with returning talent like Bryce Hawthorne, the Hawkeyes could quietly rebuild a formidable front.
Olagbaju is the fourth defensive lineman Iowa has added through the portal this cycle, joining Brice Stevenson from Holy Cross, Elon edge rusher Kahmari Brown, and Lance Ingold from Northern Illinois. It’s clear the coaching staff is taking a proactive approach to reloading the trenches - and not just waiting for development from within.
This flurry of portal activity comes during a tightly regulated window. Under current NCAA rules, the FBS transfer portal was open from January 2 through January 16.
Outside of graduate transfers and players affected by coaching changes, no new entries are allowed after that window. Players can still commit after the 16th, but the door is now closed for most undergraduates looking to make a move.
For Iowa, the work isn’t done. The Hawkeyes are likely to stay active in the portal, especially with key positions still needing depth and experience. But with Olagbaju in the fold, they’ve taken a meaningful step toward rebuilding a defensive line that has long been a cornerstone of their identity.