We are officially 50 days from Iowa Football! Fall camp is just around the corner, and the Hawkeyes are continuing to prepare for the 2025-2026 season.
The Hawkeyes lost multiple talented players on both sides of the ball, but also have multiple talented returning players.
Two returning players are entering their senior seasons and are looking to make significant contributions to the Iowa defense.
No. 2 TJ Hall, defensive back
Before joining the Hawkeyes in 2022, TJ Hall was a two-way star for San Joaquin Memorial High School in Fresno, California.
Hall was a four-year letter winner for San Joaquin, playing defensive back, receiver, and quarterback, and also returned kicks and punts.
During his senior season, Hall tallied 26 tackles, three interceptions, and one forced fumble on defense and 805 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns as a receiver.
Hall was an immediate contributor on defense, playing in all 13 games as a freshman. He was injured for most of his sophomore season (2023), before starting seven games as a junior last season.
Last season, Hall tallied 19 tackles (13 solo, six assisted), two pass breakups, and one interception in 12 games (seven starts).
Hall is projected to be one of the starting defensive backs for the 2025-2026 season.
No. 48 Max Llewellyn, defensive lineman
A senior and Urbandale, Iowa, native, Max Llewellyn, is poised for a breakout season in 2025. Before joining the Hawkeyes in 2021, Llewellyn was a star for Urbandale High School.
After redshirting in 2021 and seeing limited action in 2022 as a redshirt freshman, Llewellyn became. regular contributor on the Iowa defense.
Last season, Llewellyn played in all 13 games, tallying 22 tackles (14 solo, eight assisted), including 5.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss.
Before next season, PFF College ranked Llewellyn as the No. 2 highest-graded returning edge rusher in the Big Ten.
He is also one of the highest-ranked Hawkeyes in EA Sports College Football 26, ranked 82 overall.