Add CBS Sports to the growing list of outlets that believe the Iowa Hawkeyes are poised for a big 2026 season. Despite losing a significant amount of talent to the NFL draft, the buzz around Kirk Ferentz's squad continues to build as summer approaches.

This spring, seven Iowa players heard their names called during the NFL Draft, while another five signed undrafted free-agent deals. Replacing that much elite production is no small feat, but anyone who has watched the Hawkeyes over the past two decades knows better than to count out Ferentz's ability to reload. The program's reputation for developing young talent is well-earned, and that depth is about to be tested once again.

CBS Sports' Brandon Marcello is the latest analyst to take notice, placing Iowa at No. 18 in his Post-Spring Top 25 rankings. That makes the Hawkeyes the fifth-highest ranked team in the Big Ten, signaling confidence in their ability to compete in college football's toughest conference. Marcello acknowledged the challenge of slotting Iowa this high, but ultimately put his faith in the veteran head coach.

"I struggled with Iowa, but Kirk Ferentz seemingly always gets the best out of his roster, and the pieces still are capable of a top-20 season," Marcello wrote. He noted concerns about the defensive line losing six players from the rotation, three offensive linemen departing for the pros, and a quarterback competition between Jeremy Hecklinski and Hank Brown that will stretch into August. Still, the bottom line is clear: trust in Ferentz.

That sentiment echoes what many Hawkeye fans are feeling as the calendar turns toward summer. With the foundation of a top-20 ranking and a proven coaching staff, Iowa has all the ingredients for another memorable season. The quest to prove Marcello right begins September 5 when the Hawkeyes host Northern Illinois at Kinnick Stadium.