Even with spring practices right around the corner, the Iowa football program continues to add talent late in the recruiting process for the 2026 class.
Rivals ranked Iowa's 2026 recruiting class as No. 23 overall and the No. 7 overall in the Big Ten.
In the new era of college football with expanded revenue-sharing programs and bigger name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, it is harder for walk-ons to join big-time programs and stick with them, but that hasn't stopped the Hawkeyes.
Iowa previously had five preferred walk-ons joining the program in the 2026 recruiting class, and recently added another to make it an even half-dozen.
Iowa added Eli Kampman as a preferred walk-on
Recently, the Iowa program added Solon, Iowa, native and the son of a former Hawkeye, Eli Kampman, as a preferred walk-on in the 2026 recruiting class.
Solon ATH Eli Kampman, son of former Hawkeye Aaron Kampman, is headed to Iowa https://t.co/foUts0urfy @EliKamp11 pic.twitter.com/yBf4Hz841q
— Blair Sanderson (@BlairASanderson) February 4, 2026
Eli is the son of former Hawkeye Aaron Kampman, who was a member of the Iowa football program in the final year of Hayden Fry and the first few years of Kirk Ferentz from 1998 to 2001.
Eli was a two-way player for Solon High School, playing both quarterback and defensive back for the Spartans last season. During his senior year, Eli tallied 2,230 passing yards and 29 touchdowns.
He also added 488 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
On defense, Kampman compiled 27 total tackles, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles.
According to Kampman's high school coach, Lucas Stanton, he plans to compete for a spot on Iowa's defense, preferably at one of the safety positions.
Kampman joins Isaiah Oliver (Waukee, IA), Noah Daniel (Fort Dodge, IA), Eli Robbins (Norwalk, IA), David Fason (Cedar Rapids, IA), and Matty McLaughlin (St. Louis) as preferred walk-ons for the Hawkeyes next season.