Iowa has no shortage of recognizable names heading into 2026, and ESPN’s top 100 college football players list reflects that. Three Hawkeyes made the cut, with Zach Lutmer landing at No. 72, Trevor Lauck right behind him, and Kade Pieper highest among the trio.
Lutmer brings the kind of all-around value that shows up everywhere on the field. He can cover, he can run, and he helps in the run game. Lauck, Iowa’s senior offensive tackle, is back after starting in 2025 and earned his spot with strong pass protection a year ago, a big deal with a new quarterback coming in.
But the most important Hawkeye might be Pieper. He’s expected to start on the interior of the offensive line, and while that role doesn’t always grab headlines, it can shape the entire offense.
Pieper’s value goes beyond run blocking and pass blocking. He also helps set up protection calls with the other linemen and communicates with the quarterback.
That is where his impact could be felt most. Iowa’s defense is expected to be good, or at least above average, but the offense remains the question. Pieper’s familiarity with Tim Lester’s system gives the Hawkeyes a chance to get the run game moving quickly, especially with three new starters on the offensive line.
His importance also shows up in pass protection. The interior line has to stay in sync with the quarterback, and Pieper’s experience could help guide Jeremy Hecklinski or Hank Brown while taking some of the pressure off.
In Other News...
Iowas Week 1 Opponent Just Became A Much Tougher Opener
Northern Illinois is heading into the 2026 season with a new face at the top, and the timing matters for Iowa fans watching the opener. Rob Harley was elevated to interim head coach after Thomas Hammock left for a coaching job with the Seattle Seahawks, giving the Huskies a new leader at the moment when roster stability can easily crack.
Harley has already spent extensive time meeting with players in an effort to keep most of the roster together after the transfer portal reopened, which makes the matchup feel a little sturdier than it looked a few days ago. His first game in charge will come against Iowa, turning a routine Week 1 assignment into one that now carries a bit more uncertainty than the Hawkeyes probably expected. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa Still Has One Big Offensive Decision Before Northern Illinois
The work going into Iowas week of practice has not been limited to polishing the usual early-season details. Kirk Ferentz spent part of his conversation with Gary Dolphin on the Hawkeye Radio Network touching on the teams progress, the leadership being shown in the room and the way some of the younger pieces are settling in. He also offered thoughts on veteran linebackers, gave Northern Illinois its due ahead of the matchup and praised Mason Woods and Ryan Fitzgerald for choosing to stay with the program.
The biggest football question still hanging over the Hawkeyes is at quarterback, where Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski remain part of the discussion before Northern Illinois. Ferentz did not settle the issue in his remarks, which leaves Iowa with one of its more important decisions still to sort through as game week moves on. Outside the lines, the program also announced that Kinnick Stadiums broadcast booth will be named after Gary Dolphin, another sign of how deeply tied he has become to Hawkeye football. [Read more 🡒]
Trevor Laucks Mindset Should Fire Up Iowa Fans
Trevor Lauck already carved out a starting role last season, and now the Iowa offensive lineman is heading into the new year with even more attention on him. The preseason honors have followed, with Lauck landing on the First-Team All-Big Ten list and the Outland Trophy watch list, a sign that the Hawkeyes are expecting him to be one of the anchors up front as he continues to grow into the job.
What makes his outlook stand out, though, is the way he is approaching it. Lauck has paired the recognition with an NIL deal through Casey's, while keeping the focus on the basics that matter most for an Iowa lineman: fundamentals and consistency. For a program that has long built its identity in the trenches, that kind of mindset is exactly the sort of thing fans like to see heading into the season. [Read more 🡒]