Iowa fans are used to watching the defense set the tone, but the biggest takeaway from the Kids Day open practice came from the other side of the ball.
After a 9-4 season and another bowl win, the Hawkeyes are dealing with major turnover. Kirk Ferentz’s program lost a school-record seven players to the NFL, and several more signed as undrafted free agents. That kind of departure brings plenty of uncertainty, but it also opened the door for a fresh look at what Iowa might be this fall.
And on August 15, the offense made a strong case that it could be better than people expect.
The passing game, in particular, grabbed attention during the 11-on-11 work. Quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski threw for 205 yards and five touchdowns, while third-string quarterback Jimmy Sullivan added a few touchdown passes of his own. The ball was finding all kinds of targets, with scoring throws going to DJ Vonnahme, Evan James, Brody Schaffer, and Isaiah Oliver, among others.
That’s not exactly what people usually picture when they think Iowa football. The Hawkeyes have built their identity on the ground, and last season was no different.
Iowa finished with 176.9 rushing yards per game, good for No. 42 nationally, but the passing attack lagged far behind at No. 127, leaving the team No. 117 in total offense. Even so, Mark Gronowski and the offense still came through with winning plays when it mattered most.
This practice suggested there may be more upside in the unit than the usual Iowa script allows.
If the group stays healthy, the Hawkeyes could go four deep at every skill spot, including running back, tight end, and wide receiver. That kind of depth showed up on Kids Day, and it’s part of why there’s real optimism around the offense heading into the season.
Ferentz still hasn’t named a starting quarterback, but if Hecklinski gets the job, the connection he showed with the available weapons was hard to miss. Even longtime defensive coordinator Phil Parker said he doesn’t want to face the offense every day, which says plenty about how the day looked from the other sideline.
The run game held up too. Transfer LJ Phillips stood out, giving a glimpse of why he rushed for nearly 2,000 yards at South Dakota last season. He looks ready to make an immediate impact in his first year with Iowa.
For a team that has long leaned on defense and the run game, the encouraging part is simple: the offense showed real depth, real playmaking, and a little more punch than expected. Now the next step is carrying that momentum forward, no matter who wins the quarterback job.
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Gronowski also carries the distinction of being the winningest quarterback in Division I history, which is part of what has kept him on the radar even as the pro transition gets sorted out. Miami is expected to bring him back into the fold in time for a preseason stretch that includes an Aug. 22 game against the Giants, giving the former Hawkeye another chance to keep pushing for a foothold in the quarterback room. [Read more 🡒]
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The concern does not stop there, either, because transfer safety Tyler Brown is also working through a muscle strain. For a program that leans so heavily on availability and continuity, any camp setback matters, and the way these injuries are handled now could shape how quickly Iowa can settle key spots once the season gets moving. [Read more 🡒]
Iowas Latest Roster Update Leaves Two Young Hawkeyes In Limbo
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Kueters path has shifted after hip surgery and a lost 2025 football season, while Smith has moved on to Iowa Western as he works back from a health issue and looks to get back on the field. For Iowa, the situation leaves two promising names in a holding pattern, with the program still keeping tabs on where each one stands and what comes next. [Read more 🡒]