Iowa’s first depth chart of the 2026 regular season finally put some of the offseason noise to bed - and in a few spots, it only sharpened the questions.
The biggest one is still under center. Kirk Ferentz hasn’t picked a starter between Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski, and the depth chart keeps it that way with an “OR” next to both names.
Ferentz has said he wants a decision by Wednesday at the earliest and Friday at the latest, but even after the announcement, there’s a real chance both quarterbacks see the field early against Northern Illinois. That kind of setup could keep the offense from finding a clean rhythm right away, at least in the opening stretch.
Up front, the Hawkeyes made one of their more notable calls by sticking veteran Cael Winter at center. A lot of the preseason chatter had All-American guard Kade Pieper sliding over to replace Logan Jones, but Iowa went a different direction for Week 1.
Winter is listed as the starter, Michael Myslinski is behind him, and Pieper is back at right guard. Ferentz had already hinted Winter could win the job during camp, and now that’s official.
It’s a clear sign the staff trusts Winter there, while also keeping Pieper in a spot that better fits him.
The special teams picture changed too, and Iowa will open with two new starters handling the kicking game. Second-year kicker and Bettendorf, Iowa native Caden Buhr beat out North Dakota State transfer Eli Ozick for the kicking job, while Australian punter Boston Everitt edged Simpson College transfer Tanner Philpott.
That’s a little surprising on the kicking side, especially with Ozick’s experience and his spot on the Lou Groza Award watch list, but Buhr gets the first crack. Everitt will handle punts in Week 1.
There are still some moving parts beyond those headline spots. Injuries on defense forced some shuffling, including Anthony Hawkins starting at strong safety, Zach Lutmer moving to free safety and Jacob Wallace lining up at CASH.
Veteran Will Hubert is also getting a chance on the defensive line with four starters gone from last season. Iowa’s first depth chart doesn’t answer every question, but it does give a much clearer picture of where things stand heading into the opener.
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