Rejoice, Iowa football fans! We are just under five months until the Hawkeyes kick off the 2026 season against Northern Illinois at Kinnick Stadium.
Spring football has come and gone, and after a glimpse into what Iowa could be next season, there are still multiple questions. The offensive and defensive lines are missing multiple key pieces from last season, and we still do not know who the starting quarterback will be, but we do know that Iowa brought in some very talented transfers.
Iowa went the Curt Cignetti route this offseason by signing multiple talented group of five and FCS transfers to fill out the roster, and we have the top three that have the best chance to make the biggest impact next season.
Tony Diaz, wide receiver (transfer from UTRGV)
As the spring progressed, everyone became more and more impressed with University of Texas Rio Grande Valley transfer WR Tony Diaz. Diaz was dynamic last season as a freshman, racking up 881 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns last season, and he carried that momentum into spring ball.
It didn't matter who was tossing him the rock; Diaz made multiple highlight-reel catches throughout the spring and showcased why he should easily be considered one of Iowa's top offensive threats next season.
Paired with Reece Vander Zee on the outside and rising star DJ Vonnahme at tight end, the Hawkeyes have the potential to have an elite passing attack next season, and Diaz is at the center of it.
Lendon Phillips Jr., running back (transfer from South Dakota)
Iowa's running back room was very deep last season, and got even deeper after acquiring Lendon Phillips Jr. from the transfer portal. Phillips racked up 1,920 rushing yards and 19 rushing touchdowns for the South Dakota Coyotes last season, and Pro Football Focus (PFF) is very high on him.
PFF has him as the highest-graded returning running back in the Big Ten next season with an overall grade of 92.3, and it's easy to see why he will make an immediate impact. He is a bruiser who loves to get downhill and run through people, much like former Hawkeye running back Kaleb Johnson.
It will be interesting to see how new running backs coach Jay Norvell splits up the carries next season between Kamari Moulton, Xavier Williams, Nathan McNeil, and Phillips Jr., but there is no question that Phillips Jr. will eat up some carries.
He is unlikely to reach the 1,900-plus rushing yard mark again this season with Moulton as the projected starter, but it wouldn't be a surprise if Iowa had to 1,000-plus yard rushers next season.
Brice Stevenson, defensive line (transfer from Holy Cross)
Iowa's defensive line lost a lot of talent from last season, and with multiple holes to fill, transfer DL Brice Stevenson was a huge addition from the transfer portal. Stevenson notched 28 starts over the past three seasons for the Crusaders, and he was productive last season.
In 2025, Stevenson racked up 37 total tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss.
The depth chart for the defensive line is relatively unknown, but Stevenson can provide veteran leadership and eat up snaps in the middle of the defensive line, which the Hawkeyes desperately need.
Even if Phil Parker elects to use Stevenson as a reserve lineman, he brings a veteran presence and someone who can start in a pinch with nearly 30 career starts under his belt. No one ever questions a Phil Parker-coached defense, and Stevenson has a solid chance to make an immediate impact on an unproven defensive line group next season.
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