Iowa is getting a fair bit of preseason respect, and ESPN has added its voice to the pile.
The Hawkeyes landed at No. 24 in ESPN’s preseason college football power rankings, putting them just outside the top 20 as questions swirl around a roster that still has plenty going on. Iowa is sorting through a quarterback battle between Jeremy Hecklinski and Hank Brown, while also rebuilding a Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line. Even with that turnover, the Hawkeyes do return a preseason All-American in Kade Pieper and offensive tackle Trevor Lauck up front.
There’s also reason for optimism at receiver, where Iowa expects one of its strongest groups in years. ESPN highlighted two small-school transfers who could give the offense a much-needed spark: Evan James from Furman and Tony Diaz from Texas-Rio Grande Valley.
James, a slot receiver with speed, posted 65 catches for 796 yards and seven touchdowns for the Paladins last season. Diaz added 67 receptions for 881 yards and four scores for the Vaqueros. As ESPN’s Mark Schlabach noted, that matters for an Iowa team whose leading wideout had 24 catches in 2025.
Defensively, the Hawkeyes have a couple of clear names to build around in linebacker Jayden Montgomery and Zach Lutmer, but there are still plenty of unknowns on that side of the ball.
Even with those questions, Iowa keeps showing up in the preseason conversation. The Hawkeyes were ranked No. 22 in both the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll and the AP Top 25, and ESPN’s ranking keeps them in that same general range.
There’s not much waiting left to do. Iowa opens the 2026 season at home against Northern Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 5, at Kinnick Stadium.
Kickoff is set for 3:15 p.m. CT on the Big Ten Network.
In Other News...
Former Hawkeyes Made Their Mark Across The NFL Saturday
Saturday brought a familiar kind of reminder for Iowa fans: the programs NFL pipeline keeps showing up on game days. Former Hawkeyes were scattered across the league and made their presence felt in different ways, from Tyler Goodsons 49-yard touchdown for the Atlanta Falcons to Drew Stevens handling kicking duties for the Washington Commanders with two field goals and an extra point.
The rest of the group filled out the box scores in a way Hawkeye followers have come to appreciate. Tory Taylor punted six times for the Chicago Bears, Anthony Nelson turned in 1.5 sacks and four tackles for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and TJ Hall added six tackles and a pass defended for the New Orleans Saints, another steady reminder that Iowa alums keep carving out roles on Sundays and Saturdays alike. [Read more 🡒]
Iowas Quarterback Battle Is Reaching A Decision Point
Iowas quarterback competition has settled into the kind of late-summer evaluation that can shape an entire season, with Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski still separated by very little as fall camp moves along. Both have shown why the staff has kept the battle open, and the contrast is part of what makes it intriguing: Hecklinski has caught attention in recent practices, while Brown brings a firmer grasp of the offense into the final stretch of camp.
The next phase is about more than just who looks sharp in drills. The coaching staff still wants to see how each handles situational football before making a final call, which means the decision will come down to command, timing and responses when the pressure changes. For now, the Hawkeyes are letting the competition breathe, even as it edges closer to the point where a choice has to be made. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa Secondary May Need This Newcomer Sooner Than Expected
Tyler Brown arrived at Iowa from James Madison as one of 17 transfer additions, giving the Hawkeyes another body for a secondary that always values depth, versatility and steady communication. While he has been working back from a muscle sprain in training camp, Brown has still been getting up to speed in the system and spending time building connections with teammates and coaches before the season gets rolling.
For Iowa, the timing matters. The expectation is that Brown will factor into the defensive back rotation, and the sooner he can handle the scheme comfortably, the more useful he becomes if the Hawkeyes need help on the back end. His camp progress has been part recovery and part assimilation, and what happens next will determine how quickly he can turn a late summer arrival into a real role. [Read more 🡒]