Iowa’s open practice inside Kinnick Stadium offered a little of everything: a quarterback who looked sharp, another who had a rough afternoon, and enough promise from the skill positions to give fans something to chew on.
The biggest winner of the day was Jeremy Hecklinski. He wasn’t just efficient - he was in control.
Hecklinski finished 17-for-25 for just over 200 yards with five touchdowns, and he did it against the first- and second-string defenses without giving the ball away. He showed accuracy, pushed the ball downfield, and handled the pocket like a quarterback who knew exactly what he wanted to do.
Hank Brown, on the other hand, had the kind of stat line that jumps off the page for the wrong reasons. He went 9-for-21 for 42 yards, a tough showing in a battle that is still far from settled. One practice won’t decide anything, but there’s no question which quarterback left the cleaner impression.
The backfield looked more like the group Iowa expects it to be. Kamari Moulton handled the lead role, and L.J.
Phillips also looked like a back ready for meaningful snaps. Nathan McNeil, though, was one of the more interesting names from the day.
He worked his way into the rotation, took reps in the 2-minute offense and on several third downs, and showed comfort in pass protection. He also flashed as a receiver out of the backfield and gave Iowa another look with his twitchy, agile style.
The passing game had plenty of bright spots too. DJ Vonnahme made noise on seam routes and shot plays, and that part of his game stood out again.
Reece Vander Zee and Tony Diaz both turned in strong days as well, but Evan James may have made the loudest statement of all. The transfer portal addition caught two touchdowns and looked like a top target as Iowa searches for someone to claim the slot role and emerge as the third wide receiver.
For one afternoon, Hecklinski owned the quarterback conversation. But the bigger takeaway for Iowa was that the offense found some real answers - and at least a few new questions - before the 2026 season gets rolling.
In Other News...
Tavion Banks Just Changed Iowas Roster Picture Again
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Instead, Banks has chosen to transfer and is now sorting through a new final-year landing spot. He said he appreciated his time at Iowa, but is looking for a different basketball fit, leaving the Hawkeyes to adjust their roster picture once more while he weighs his next move. [Read more 🡒]
Drew Stevens Just Got A Huge NFL Opening With Washington
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The timing has only helped his case, with the depth chart at the position opening up just as preseason competition began. For a player fighting to stick in the league, this kind of opportunity can change everything quickly, and Stevens now has a clear runway to turn a camp chance into something more permanent. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa Fans Will Notice A New Kinnick Change In 2026
Iowa fans will see another layer of corporate presence at Kinnick Stadium in 2026, as the University of Iowa Athletics has announced a new partnership with Progressive Insurance. The deal is built around expanded investment in football season exposure, with on-field branding set to join videoboard features, digital and social media integrations, and in-venue LED signage around the stadium.
The agreement also fits into a broader run of sponsorship announcements from Iowa Athletics, which has been adding outside money across its programs and venues. For a place like Kinnick, where the game-day atmosphere has always been part of the identity, the new look will be hard to miss once the 2026 season arrives. [Read more 🡒]