Football season is closing in, and Iowa is already carrying a preseason ranking to match the buzz. The Associated Press released its top-25 on Monday morning, and the Hawkeyes landed at No. 22.
They’re not the only Big Ten team in the mix. Also in the AP preseason poll are No.
1 Ohio State, No. 2 Oregon, No.
6 Indiana, No. 14 USC, No.
16 Michigan, No. 17 Washington and No.
18 Penn State.
That ranking arrives as Iowa works through fall camp, where Saturday’s only open practice gave fans an early look at what this group might be capable of on offense. Tight end DJ Vonnahme, along with wide receivers Evan James and Tony Diaz, were among the names that stood out in a practice that offered plenty for offensive coordinator Tim Lester to like.
“Yeah, it's been a great start. It's a fun group to work with, top to bottom.
There's compeAAon ev erywhere, which is probably the most exciting part about this camp. The competition at every position is helping us grow faster.
The depth in each room is key. If DJ gets banged up and misses a day or two, there are people who can fill his shoes, and it's the same way at the wideout and running back positions.
That depth really helps you get through a camp, and it's been a good start for that reason.”
The biggest individual spark from Saturday came from Jeremy Hecklinski, who completed 17 of 25 passes for 205 yards and five touchdowns. He looked composed, accurate and in control of the offense, the kind of showing that gets attention even before any quarterback decision is made. Iowa is not ready to settle that battle yet, but Hecklinski’s performance was impossible to miss.
Kirk Ferentz also addressed the familiar retirement chatter during his opening statement at Iowa Media Day. With his 28th year underway, he said the focus is still on what’s ahead.
“Biggest thing right now is to keep pushing forward and see what the next 2, 2 1/2 weeks bring. That's really what's going to be important at this given point,” Ferentz said.
“A couple of other things just real quick, it's the start of my 28th year. I think a few of you have probably been counting.
Really feel pretty much the same as I did in '99. First of all, just grateful for the opportunity.”
“And the obligatory question about retirement, kind of like the quarterback position, don't have much to tell you right there other than I feel good and certainly enjoy what I'm doing and enjoy the people I work with every day. That's about the extent of that one right now.”
Iowa is now moving into the situational part of camp, with quarterbacks and the rest of the team getting work in two-minute drills, red-zone chances, third-and-long and other pressure spots. Those reps will go a long way in showing who can handle the moments that matter.
The season opener is set for September 5, when Northern Illinois visits Kinnick Stadium.
In Other News...
Iowas Running Back Battle Could Shape How This Offense Starts
Running backs coach Jay Norvell spent local media day talking about a position group that could end up defining how Iowas offense gets going this fall. With Kamari Moulton, Xavier Williams, Nathan McNeil and transfer LJ Phillips Jr. all in the mix, the Hawkeyes have a room that appears built around competition, depth and a chance for someone to separate before the season opens.
Norvell also used the moment to reflect on his own ties to Iowa, sharing favorite memories from his time as a player and saying how much it means to coach in the state. But the bigger storyline remains on the field, where the Hawkeyes are counting on that group to develop quickly and sort itself out as the offense looks for a reliable starting point. [Read more 🡒]
Iowas Quarterback Battle Could Define What This Offense Becomes
Iowas quarterback race is starting to look like more than just a depth-chart decision. Jeremy Hecklinski and Hank Brown are offering two very different paths for Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes, with the staff sorting through both statistical data and what the eye test says about each players command of the offense.
Hecklinski brings a more aggressive willingness to push the ball downfield, while Brown has leaned into a steadier, more conservative style that fits Iowas long-standing identity. For Ferentz, the choice is about more than who wins the job in camp, because the answer could help determine whether this offense stays rooted in ball security or tries to stretch itself into something different. [Read more 🡒]
Cam Buffington Is Quietly Taking On Iowas Biggest Linebacker Responsibility
Cam Buffington has spent fall camp positioning himself for one of the most important jobs in Iowas defense, and the early signs are encouraging. With three years of eligibility remaining, the linebacker has been working toward the MIKE role, the spot that often serves as the traffic cop for the whole unit, and the staff has liked what it has seen from him in that setting.
Defensive coordinator Phil Parker has singled out Buffington for the way he leads by example and approaches the game, traits that matter even more when the job requires constant communication and quick defensive adjustments. There is still a lot to prove, but the Hawkeyes appear to have a young linebacker with the temperament and upside to grow into a central piece of the defense. [Read more 🡒]