The Iowa Hawkeyes didn’t just dip into the transfer portal this offseason - they went after it in a way that signals a real shift from their usual approach. For a program that has long leaned on developing high school talent, Iowa brought in 15 new players this year, more than it added in 2024 and 2025 combined. Up to 11 of them are expected to play in some capacity this fall, and a few of the most important newcomers fill the exact spots Iowa needed help most.
That starts on the defensive line, where Iowa added bodies with size, length and enough production to matter right away. Kahmari Brown arrives from Elon with the kind of frame Big Ten teams love at 6-foot-2 and 260 pounds, and he has a real shot to crack the starting lineup at defensive end. The projection for him is 33 tackles, 5 sacks and 10 TFL.
Brice Stevenson is another portal addition up front, coming from Holy Cross with a chance to stabilize the interior. His projected line sits at 26 tackles, 1 sack and 6 TFL.
Emmanuel Olagbaju gives Iowa the pure bulk it wanted in the middle, checking in at nearly 315 pounds. His projected numbers are smaller - 11 tackles, 1 sack and 4 TFL - but the fit is obvious.
The secondary also got a major infusion. Tyler Brown comes over from James Madison with College Football Playoff experience and looks like Iowa’s safety starter.
He’s projected for 63 tackles, 5 pass breakups and 2 interceptions. Anthony Hawkins brings the length Iowa wanted, standing 6-foot-3 and expected to operate as the center fielder.
His projection: 46 tackles, 10 pass breakups and 3 interceptions. Xavier Styles gives the Hawkeyes another safety option who can hold up in different personnel groupings, with a projected stat line of 25 tackles, pass breakups and 1 interception.
At wide receiver, Iowa brought in two players who should matter immediately. Tony Diaz comes in with the buzz already attached after nearly 900 yards and 11 touchdowns last year, and the expectation is that he starts.
Iowa’s run-heavy style could trim the ceiling a bit, but the projection still calls for 49 receptions, 588 yards and 5 touchdowns. Evan James offers a different look entirely, more of a slot weapon who can work in space and even get touches as a runner.
His projected output: 38 receptions, 409 yards, 15 rushes, 125 rushing yards and 4 total touchdowns.
Up front, Trent Wilson arrives from James Madison with the kind of game experience that should carry over quickly. The expectation is that he becomes a 12-game starter for Iowa.
And in the backfield, L.J. Phillips Jr. joins after leading the FCS in rushing last year.
He won’t be asked to handle that kind of workload in Iowa, but he is projected to be the No. 2 back behind Kamari Moulton and should get plenty of work in short-yardage and goal-line situations. His projected numbers: 125 carries, 615 yards and 6 touchdowns.
In Other News...
Three Hawkeyes Just Put Iowas Tough-Guy Reputation Back In Focus
Bruce Feldmans latest Freaks List gave Iowa a familiar kind of spotlight, the sort that has little to do with glamour and everything to do with hard-earned respect. Three Hawkeyes landed on the 2026 rankings, with offensive lineman Kade Pieper all the way up at No. 8, followed by defensive lineman Kahmari Brown at No. 28 and defensive back Zach Lutmer at No. 38. For a program that has long leaned into its tough-guy image, it was another reminder that the reputation still has real muscle behind it.
What makes the list resonate for Iowa is the way it ties those rankings to offseason testing and athletic benchmarks, the kind of hidden work that often becomes part of the programs identity before the season ever starts. Pieper, Brown and Lutmer each earned their way onto a national list built around measurable traits, and having three players recognized in the same year says plenty about where the Hawkeyes think they stand physically. The bigger question now is how much of that offseason edge shows up when the games begin. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa's 2027 RB Commit Is Giving Fans A Familiar Reason To Believe
The early buzz around Iowas 2027 recruiting class has started to take shape with Keyon Thomas, the Warren Central High School running back who committed to the Hawkeyes after getting an offer in April and making a June visit. Iowa has plenty of time before his college debut, but the interest in Thomas makes sense after the way he opened his 2026 season, turning 18 carries into 130 yards and two touchdowns and showing the burst and patience that tend to play well in the Hawkeyes backfield.
Jay Norvell and Iowas staff are already seeing the kind of traits that can travel to the next level, especially Thomas speed and vision. For a program that has long valued running backs who can handle pressure and stay efficient, Thomas gives fans a reason to watch the class a little closer, even if the real payoff is still down the road. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa Is Suddenly In The Mix For An Elite 2027 Guard
Iowa has quietly put itself in the conversation for one of the countrys best young guards, with five-star point guard Cayden Daughtry naming the Hawkeyes among his top 14 college choices. The 2027 prospect, who ranks 10th nationally in his class, has been turning heads in recent tournaments and has already built a reputation as one of the most closely watched guards on the board.
The next big step comes in September, when Daughtry is scheduled to make an official visit to Iowa. For a program always looking to stay ahead in the national recruiting race, landing a seat at the table this early is notable enough, but the visit will give the Hawkeyes a chance to show they can translate interest into something more lasting as the process moves forward. [Read more 🡒]