As the anticipation for the football season builds, the spotlight is already shining on some of the top talents in the collegiate ranks. The Iowa Hawkeyes, known for their ability to nurture NFL-caliber players, are once again in the mix with a roster that's turning heads. Entering the 2026 season, five Hawkeyes have earned a spot on Phil Steele's prestigious preseason All-American and All-Big Ten teams, a testament to the program's depth and talent.
Leading the charge is Kade Pieper, an offensive lineman who has captured the attention of many as a Phil Steele Preseason First-Team All-American. Pieper, who surprised many by bypassing the NFL draft to return to Iowa, is a powerhouse on the field. His decision to stay is already generating buzz about his potential as a future first-round NFL pick.
Joining Pieper in the All-American ranks is the versatile Zach Lutmer, who has been named a Preseason Third-Team All-American. Lutmer's adaptability on the field is a key asset for Iowa, as he can seamlessly transition between roles in the secondary and even step up into a linebacker position when needed.
The accolades continue with Phil Steele's Preseason All-Big Ten selections. Pieper earns a spot on the First-Team, while Lutmer secures a Second-Team position.
Trevor Lauck, another standout offensive lineman, is recognized as a Preseason Second-Team All-American. Like Pieper, Lauck returns with high expectations, ready to anchor the Hawkeyes' offensive line.
Eli Ozick, a kicker who transferred from North Dakota State, makes his mark with a Third-Team All-Big Ten nod. Meanwhile, tight end DJ Vonnahme, despite leading Iowa in receiving yards last year, finds himself on the Fourth-Team All-Big Ten list. Vonnahme's performance last season showcased his potential as a primary target in the passing game, and with more experience in Tim Lester's offense, he is poised to be a crucial weapon for the Hawkeyes.
Pieper's inclusion as a First-Team All-American is well-deserved, given his dominance on the offensive line. However, there's a sense that Lutmer's Third-Team All-American recognition might not fully capture his potential impact this season. Similarly, Vonnahme's placement on the Fourth-Team All-Big Ten list raises eyebrows, especially considering his capability to be a standout tight end in the conference.
As the season approaches, the Hawkeyes' roster is packed with talent ready to make waves. With players like Pieper, Lutmer, and Vonnahme leading the charge, Iowa fans have plenty to be excited about as they look forward to another thrilling season of college football.
In Other News...
Kade Pieper Made The Kind Of Choice Iowa Fans Will Love
Kade Pieper already had the kind of season that puts an Iowa offensive lineman on the map. After starting all 13 games at right guard and earning third-team All-Big Ten honors, he could have easily been one of the next Hawkeyes to test the NFL waters, the sort of lineman pro teams look at closely when draft season rolls around.
Instead, Pieper is staying put, and that matters in Iowa City because it says plenty about what the program still sells as well as what it develops. Offensive line coach George Barnett said he talked through Piepers options with him, and the decision fits the culture-first identity Iowa has leaned on for years. Now Pieper is making another move up front, shifting to center and keeping the Hawkeyes interior line tradition in good hands. [Read more 🡒]
Former Hawkeye Faces Much Bigger Summer League Test Than The Others
The post-draft shuffle will keep a few familiar Iowa names on the same Summer League stage, with Bennett Stirtz, Payton Sandfort and Josh Dix all landing with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Brendan Hausen set to suit up for the Memphis Grizzlies. It gives Hawkeye fans an easy early summer follow, especially with both teams building out their schedules and plenty of crossover between players who spent recent seasons in Iowa City.
Hausens situation makes his month feel a little different from the others, since he is trying to turn this opportunity into something more lasting, while the Thunder side offers a clearer runway for Stirtz, Sandfort and Dix to show what they can do against NBA competition. Their paths will cross right away, too, with all four former Hawkeyes set to be on the floor in the same opener next Saturday at 2 p.m. CT. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa Prep Baseball Race Just Got Interesting For Hawkeyes Fans
High school baseball in Iowa has entered the part of the calendar where every big swing and every dominant outing starts to carry a little extra weight, and that has Hawkeyes fans with a reason to keep an eye on the statewide picture. High School On SI Iowa has opened voting for its midseason player of the year across five classifications, with nominees and their numbers through June 28 serving as a snapshot of who has separated himself before the stretch run.
The race is meant to be a fun one, but it also offers a look at some of the talent making noise just before the Iowa High School Athletic Association State Baseball Tournament begins July 20. Among the names in the mix are several Class 4A standouts, including one Iowa commit and another player whose power numbers have put him in the spotlight, giving fans plenty to sort through before voting closes on July 6. [Read more 🡒]