In an anomaly for college football programs, the Iowa program escaped spring football, practices, and fall camp with only minor injuries.
Head Coach Kirk Ferentz was impressed with how the team entered fall camp prepared and in great shape ahead of the upcoming season.
Ferentz was adamant that the squad had a good offseason and fall camp and stated everyone is healthy. A few days after making that proclamation, the injury bug has struck the Iowa offense, taking a projected starter out of the rotation.
Iowa wide receiver Reece Vander Zee, the Hawkeyes’ leading returning receiver, sustained a freak foot injury yesterday and is currently expecting to miss about a month, sources tell me and @DavidEickholt for @CBSSportshttps://t.co/tv8SUmhGtM pic.twitter.com/F7vPClNewj
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) August 28, 2025
CBS Sports' national NFL and college football reporter Matt Zenitz announced that Iowa receiver Reece Vander Zee suffered a "freak" foot injury and will miss at least a month.
Vander Zee reportedly suffered the injury on Wednesday.
Vander Zee showed flashes of his athleticism as a freshman, hauling in five passes for 65 yards and two touchdowns in the Hawkeyes' opening game against Illinois State last season.
Reece was a projected starter for the Hawkeyes at the "X" wide receiver position this season with transfer Sam Phillips as his backup. After the first depth chart was released, Vander Zee was listed as the backup, and now we know why.
Vander Zee's injury comes at a bad time for the Hawkeyes as they try to establish comfort and rhythm with new starting quarterback Mark Gronowski.
With Vander Zee on the shelf, Phillips and Kaden Wetjen could see an expanded role, with Jacob Gill providing solid, veteran leadership for the group.
Vander Zee will miss the rivalry game against Iowa State on September 7 and the start of the Big Ten schedule as he attempts to work his way back from the foot injury.