The Iowa Hawkeyes are in the thick of spring ball, and a recent open practice offered a fascinating, if early, glimpse at the team taking shape for the 2026 campaign. Head coach Kirk Ferentz has been quick to temper expectations, reminding everyone that the depth chart in April is a fluid document. "What it looks like right now really is not important," Ferentz cautioned, "because so many things are going to happen between now and the start of the season." With significant production to replace on both sides of the ball from last year's 9-4 squad, these sessions are all about evaluation and development.
During the media viewing window, all eyes were on the quarterback competition. Jeremy Hecklinski and Hank Brown each took reps with the first-team offense, sharing duties with Jimmy Sullivan and Ryan Fitzgerald. The room will get even more crowded later this summer when four-star freshman Tradon Bessinger arrives on campus.
One of the most intriguing new faces is wide receiver Tony Diaz, a transfer from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Coming off a breakout redshirt freshman season with nearly 900 receiving yards, Diaz was immediately plugged into first-team reps, signaling he could be a key playmaker in an offense looking for explosive options.
Perhaps the most significant shift came on the offensive line, where a major rebuild is underway. With stalwarts like Rimington Trophy-winning center Logan Jones moving on, the Hawkeyes are testing new combinations. Kade Pieper, who started all 13 games at right guard last season, was taking first-team snaps at center. He and fellow returning starter Trevor Lauck anchored a unit that also featured Leighton Jones, redshirt freshman Lucas Allgeyer, and Jack Dotzler. Notably, veteran lineman Michael Myslinski was not in pads for the session.
On the defensive side, the secondary saw notable movement. Bryce Hawthorne, the team's most productive returning defensive back, was working with the first-team unit, a promising sign for a defense that prides itself on being stingy. As the spring progresses, these position battles will only intensify, setting the stage for a critical offseason in Iowa City.