In one transfer portal signing, the Hawkeyes' offense may have just gotten its most prolific receiver since Marvin McNutt.
McNutt is the last Iowa receiver to hit the 1,000-yard plateau (1,315 in 2011), and no Iowa receiver has even gone over 700 receiving yards since Ihmir Smith-Marsette did so in 2019.
It is no secret that Iowa heavily relies on its running game, and when the offense does put the ball in the air, it is to the tight ends more often than not.
That theme continued this season as former fourth-string tight end turned starter, DJ Vonnahme, broke out for the Iowa offense in the second half of the season to finish the year leading the team in receiving yards.
Vonnahme compiled a team-leading 434 receiving yards this season and added three touchdown catches.
Iowa has been without a prolific pass-catcher for many years, but it might have found a solution to its passing-game problem after signing a prolific wide receiver from the transfer portal.
Hawkeye nation how we feelin?🖤💛 #AGTG #committed pic.twitter.com/bY73ucZLkY
— Tony Diaz (@Tdiqz14) January 10, 2026
It is not often that the Hawkeyes beat out the Alabama Crimson Tide for top wide receiver talent, but that is just what they did after signing transfer wide receiver Tony Diaz from the portal.
Diza was one of the most sought-after receivers during this transfer portal cycle, following a dynamic season with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros.
During his freshman season for the Vaqueros offense, Diaz compiled 881 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns on 67 receptions.
That includes a massive 17-catch performance against Incarnate Word on October 20.
After transferring to the Hawkeyes, Diaz will have three years of remaining eligibility.
Diaz next to Reece Vander Zee is going to be a lethal combo
Diaz gives Iowa something it has severely lacked for many years: a prolific pass-catcher at the wide receiver position.
Vander Zee came on strong during the latter part of the season after recovering from a foot injury, but having a running mate who can take some pressure off will be great for both players.
For the first time in a long time, Iowa's offense will have a "pick your poison" scenario on the outside with two stellar pass catchers.
Not to mention Addison Ostrenga and DJ Vonnahme at tight end, and Dayton Howard waiting in the wings.
Iowa's wide receiver room just got a huge boost, and it does not seem like they are done adding talent.