NIL has changed the math in college football, and Iowa is looking at three players who could cash in if they deliver in 2026.
The Hawkeyes have a receiver drawing plenty of buzz in Tony Diaz, the transfer from UT Rio Grande Valley who arrives after one college season with 881 yards and 11 touchdowns on 67 catches. He’s expected to step in as a starting receiver next to Reece Vander Zee, and Iowa is hoping that pairing can lift the passing game to a level it hasn’t reached since Brandon Smith and Ihmir Smith-Marsette were working together on the outside.
Diaz’s NIL number isn’t fully known, but the interest he attracted from the Alabama Crimson Tide says plenty. A big year would almost certainly put Iowa in position to pay up if it wants to keep him.
On the other side of the ball, the Hawkeyes may have found a real piece in Anthony Hawkins. The Villanova transfer comes with starting experience and the kind of frame defensive backs are hunting for now at 6-foot-3. Phil Parker brought him in from the FCS level with a starting role in mind, and Zach Lutmer was quick to point out what Hawkins brings at Big Ten Media Days.
"Anthony is super lengthy. I mean, he's 6-3.
He uses that really well. He's really good at breaking on the ball for how lengthy he is, and he can disrupt plays with that," Lutmer said of what he has seen from Anthony Hawkins.
Then there’s Kamari Moulton, who already feels like an Iowa mainstay. He’s been part of the backfield for three seasons, and last year was his biggest workload yet: 170 carries for 878 yards. With the quarterback situation unsettled and the offensive line expected to be strong, Moulton has a real shot to top 1,000 yards.
His current NIL valuation sits at $385,000, according to On3. If he has the kind of season people around the program expect, Iowa may need to give him a healthy bump to make sure he stays put.
In Other News...
Iowa May Be Closing In On A Needed Frontcourt Answer
Iowas search for frontcourt help has taken another meaningful step, as top-2027 post prospect Khalia Hartwell has lined up an official visit with the Hawkeyes in September 2026. Hartwell, who first received an offer from Iowa in September 2025, fits the kind of profile the staff has been targeting as it looks to reinforce the paint before roster changes start to reshape the depth chart.
The Hawkeyes have been pursuing multiple high-end post players, and the urgency makes sense with future eligibility questions looming. Hartwells reputation starts with her defense, where she already brings the kind of rim protection and physical presence Iowa can build around, while her offensive game still has room to grow. For a program trying to solve a size issue before it becomes a bigger problem, landing her on campus is a significant sign of where things may be headed. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa Camp Battles Will Decide How Fast Key Newcomers Can Deliver
Fall camp is about to become the first real sorting test for Iowas 2026 roster, with the Hawkeyes set to open against Northern Illinois and several newcomers trying to force their way into meaningful roles right away. Defensive end Iose Epenesa, tight end DJ Vonnahme, wide receiver Tony Diaz, safety Tyler Brown and linebacker Jayden Montgomery are among the names worth watching as Iowa works through the kind of competition that usually says as much about the depth chart as any spring practice ever could.
The urgency is obvious on both sides of the ball after notable roster turnover, especially along the defensive line and at safety, where Iowa needs dependable answers fast. The transfers brought in to help fill those gaps add another layer to camp, but the real story will be how quickly the holdovers and arrivals separate themselves once the pads come on and the reps get real. [Read more 🡒]