Iowa Football continues preparation for the upcoming 2025-2026 season. The Hawkeyes finished last season with a modest 8-5 (6-3 Big Ten) record and were invited to the 2024 TransPerfect Music City Bowl.
Iowa fell 27-24 to Missouri following a failed late-game comeback attempt.
The Hawkeyes' defense carried them last season while the offense struggled to find consistency. That is due to multiple injuries to quarterbacks Cade McNamara, Brendan Sullivan, and Marco Lainez.
Fourth-string quarterback James Resar never saw the field and has since transferred from the program.
For multiple games, the offense was in the hands of fifth-string transfer quarterback Jackson Stratton. Stratton performed admirably, picking up two wins.
The only bright spot for the Iowa offense was star running back Kaleb Johnson. Johnson had an amazing year for the Hawkeyes, tallying 1,537 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. His 21 touchdowns broke Shonn Greene's school record of 20 touchdowns in 2008.
The strength of the offensive line was a large part of the successful running game. The 2024-2025 offensive line unit was named a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award, given to the best offensive line in the nation.
A staple of that unit and a returner for his senior season is Beau Stephens
No. 70 Beau Stephens, guard
Before joining the Hawkeyes, Beau Stephens, a six-foot-six, 322-pound offensive/defensive lineman, was a two-way star for Blue Springs High School in Blue Springs, Missouri. He was a five-time letterman and guided Blue Springs to the yearly playoffs.
As a senior, Stephens was named a First Team All-Conference performer on offense abd defense.
He joined the Hawkeye program in 2021 but redshirted after playing only one game. In 2022, he played right guard in 12 games (10 starts).
In 2023, he played in only five games.
Last season was a breakout season for Stephens. He started all 12 games at left guard and made his 21st career start on the offensive line. He helped pave the way for a dynamic Iowa rushing attack that averaged 197.2 rushing yards per game.
The 197.2 rushing yard average ranked No. 2 in the Big Ten and No. 24 nationally. It was also the most the Hawkeyes averaged since 2002.
Stephens returns for his senior year during the 2025-2026 season and is projected to be the starter at one of the guard positions.