The 2026 Iowa season is still a blank page in a lot of ways, and that’s exactly why three coaches loom so large. Training camp is around the corner, and while the Hawkeyes usually find their way to eight wins, the real question is whether this group can climb higher - maybe even into double digits or a College Football Playoff push.
For Iowa, the defensive line is one of the places that could swing that conversation. Phil Parker’s scheme has long given that unit a solid floor, and at times it has reached a much higher level. It is rarely the thing that drags the team down, because the job is usually about doing the work and staying within the assignment.
The challenge in 2026 is that the Hawkeyes are bringing in at least two or three new starters along that front. On the edge, Iose Epenesa, Kenneth Merrieweather, and Kahmari Brown are the names to watch, and one of them has to emerge as the lead option. Inside, Iowa should still have some punch with Brice Stevenson and Bryce Hawthorne.
That makes the defensive line a major pressure point for a coach trying to keep the group on track.
The biggest uncertainty on the roster sits at quarterback, where Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski are set to battle in a true competition when camp opens. Neither has much experience, and both are stepping into the first full-time starting job of their college careers. That’s where VandeMerkt’s role becomes critical.
He’ll be working closely with offensive coordinator Tim Lester as the staff sorts out who should win the job. But the task goes beyond naming a starter. VandeMerkt also has to keep the other quarterback ready, focused, and prepared to step in if injury strikes or performance slips.
Special teams brings a different kind of pressure, but the stakes are just as real. Iowa has built a reputation for elite work in that phase, whether it’s pinning opponents deep, flipping games with explosive return touchdowns or punt blocks, or leaning on Kirk Ferentz for late-game field goals.
Now Polizzi takes over that room in his first year in the role, and he has to sort through a new kicker and punter while also deciding who handles punt and kick returns. If this unit takes a step back, that could be a real problem for a program that depends so heavily on special teams. Iowa has traditionally been able to steal one or two games a year on the strength of that phase alone.
In Other News...
Iowa Misses On Another Dowling Catholic Standout Decision
Iowas run of chasing Dowling Catholic talent took another hit with one of the states top young prospects making her college choice early. Katie Muller, a Class of 2027 guard from the West Des Moines powerhouse, has already built a reputation as a polished scorer and all-around contributor, coming off a season in which she averaged 16.5 points and more than six rebounds per game.
The decision matters for Iowa because Muller had become a familiar name in the recruiting conversation, with Kansas, Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Hawkeyes all in the mix. Missouri landed the early commitment, and the Tigers also have a built-in connection waiting for her there, since her sister Ellie Muller is part of Missouris incoming freshman class. [Read more 🡒]
Former Hawkeye Bennett Stirtz Already Looks Right At Home In The NBA
Bennett Stirtz did not need long to make a first impression in NBA Summer League. The former Hawkeye, taken 16th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies and then shipped to Oklahoma City, looked comfortable in his debut against Memphis, settling in as a steady handler and willing shooter while the Thunder got an early look at why they used a first-round pick on him.
Stirtz finished with 10 points, three rebounds, four assists and three steals in 24 minutes, a stat line that fit the way he has long been viewed as a floor general who can also score when the moment calls for it. For Iowa fans, it was an encouraging opening chapter, especially with another familiar name in the mix and the broader question now being how quickly Stirtz can turn a polished summer start into a real role with Oklahoma City. [Read more 🡒]