Phil Parker is staring at another reset in Iowa City, and that’s usually when the Hawkeyes’ defense gets interesting.
The longtime defensive coordinator has run the show since 2012, with Kirk Ferentz giving him full control of the unit. Iowa has made a habit of fielding one of the nation’s top 10 defenses, and even with plenty of production gone from last season, the expectation is that Parker will have the group ready to roll in Week 1.
For this projection, Iowa is lined up in a straightforward 4-2-5 look, with four down linemen, two linebackers and five defensive backs, including the hybrid CASH spot.
Up front, the biggest question is who becomes the pass-rush answer. Ethan Hurkett and Max Llewellyn are gone, leaving a clear opening for someone to seize. Kenneth Merrieweather is penciled in at end, with Brice Stevenson and Bryce Hawthorne inside and Kahmari Brown on the other edge.
Stevenson arrived through the portal to help stabilize the interior, while Brown comes over from Elon with the kind of motor and athleticism that should fit this defense well. The real battle is whether Merrieweather or Brown emerges as Iowa’s top presence on the line. Behind them, Lance Ingold, Iose Epenesa and Emmanuel Olagbaju are names to keep in the rotation.
At linebacker, the picture is much cleaner. Jayden Montgomery looks like the easy call at MIKE after playing in 13 games last season and finishing with 44 tackles. He’s a senior, he knows the system, and this is the kind of spot Parker likes to keep simple.
Next to him, Cam Buffington appears ready for a bigger role at WILL. The sophomore is climbing fast and has the look of a player who could turn into a future star for the Hawkeyes.
The back end brings the most turnover, but there are still some clear early favorites. Zach Lutmer is locked into the CASH role, though he could move around and see snaps at all five spots. Deshaun Lee also looks secure at corner, with Parker trusting the veteran to hold down one side.
On the other side, Jaylen Watson gets the early nod, though Rashad Godfrey Jr. and Jacob Wallace could get chances soon if the staff wants to see who catches fire first.
Safety is where things get a little more unsettled. Iowa lost both starters from last season and responded by bringing in Tyler Brown and Anthony Hawkins through the portal.
Brown, who started at James Madison, would be a surprise if he isn’t on the field in Week 1. Hawkins gets the projection here as well, while Robert Morris transfer Xavier Styles is another name that could push for playing time.
In Other News...
One Former Hawkeye Is Starting To Separate In Summer League
Four former Iowa basketball players got their first real summer look in Las Vegas, and the early returns were encouraging across the board. Brendan Hausen gave Memphis a scoring punch in a win over Golden State, while Bennett Stirtz, Payton Sandfort and Josh Dix all suited up for Oklahoma City in a tight loss to Denver, each flashing the kind of individual production that can matter in this setting.
Stirtz had the most complete night for the Thunder, and Sandfort kept his name in the mix with a strong bench effort, while Dix again found himself in the starting group and contributed across the stat sheet. For Iowa fans, it was the kind of summer league snapshot that is worth watching closely, especially with one of those former Hawkeyes beginning to look like he has a real chance to keep separating from the pack as the games continue. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa Just Lost A Young Receiver At The Worst Time
Terrence Smith will not be on Iowas roster for the 2026 season, a notable development for a program that has been trying to build more depth and upside at wide receiver. The second-year receiver arrived as a three-star recruit in the 2025 class, and his departure leaves the Hawkeyes with one less young option in a room that was already being watched closely.
Even with Smith out of the picture, Iowa still has several receivers with eligibility remaining who can compete for snaps and help fill the gap. But losing a player with his profile at this stage of the roster cycle adds another layer of uncertainty to a position group that needed continuity, and it leaves the Hawkeyes with some sorting to do before 2026 takes shape. [Read more 🡒]
Trevin Jirak Suddenly Looks Like A Real Answer For Iowa
A summer scrimmage at the University of Iowa offered an early look at one of the quieter developments in the Hawkeyes offseason: sophomore Trevin Jirak showing up with a noticeably different presence. What stood out was not just the added confidence, but the way he moved and handled the ball, signs that he is no longer just a depth piece trying to find his footing after averaging 3.4 points per game a year ago.
Ben McCollum has already pointed to Jiraks growth as part of a broader roster shift, with Iowa looking longer and more capable from the perimeter than it did before. Jirak is expected to take on a bigger role this season, and the way he fits into that picture may matter more than ever as the Hawkeyes sort through who can help initiate offense and keep the team organized when the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]