Kamari Moulton is an intriguing breakout candidate in a loaded Iowa backfield

If Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes make it to their first College Football Playoff in 2026, it will be on the strength of the running game. Iowa has traditionally been known for its ground-and-pound offense, and even though the passing game has taken a more prominent focus, the Hawkeyes have been true to who they are.

With an even more talented backfield this season, the running game will be as heavily relied on as ever, with Kamari Moulton poised to be the leader of a talented group.

Fox Sports has named Kamari Moulton as a breakout candidate for 2026

Even with dual-threat quarterback Mark Gronowski under center last season, the passing attack still took a backseat to the rushing attack. It made perfect sense considering Iowa had few proven options at wide receiver and had the best offensive line in college football to run behind last season.

While Gronowski earned most of the headlines, and rightly so, it was Moulton who was a steadying force for the Iowa backfield. Even though he missed a few games at the beginning of the season with an injury, Moulton still led the RB group with 878 yards and five touchdowns in 2025. With 2025 in the rearview mirror, Moulton is not only poised to lead the Iowa backfield once again but has also been named a breakout candidate.

Fox Sports' Michael Cohen had a lot of positive analysis of Moulton, starting with how impressive his development has been. On the heels of Iowa setting a program record with seven players taken in the 2026 NFL Draft, Cohen believes Moulton could be the next in line. Moulton was an underrecruited high school prospect, something Iowa has a talent for finding and developing, and he has improved every season.

Moulton was seldom used as a freshman, tallying only 93 yards and two touchdowns, but since his first season, he has become a staple of the backfield, tallying 473 yards and three touchdowns as a sophomore to 878 yards and five touchdowns as a junior. His development is key to Iowa's success next season, especially with the QB situation still up in the air.

The ongoing starting quarterback battle won't be over anytime soon, but regardless of who is under center, Moulton's production and leadership are crucial.

It won't matter who's under center, Moulton will lead the Iowa offense

The only thing working against Moulton's potential breakout campaign is that the offensive line is replacing three starters from last season, which could hinder his early production. Regardless of experience, it takes time for the offensive line to gel, especially after replacing three starters like Logan Jones, Gethat nnings Dunker, and Beau Stephens.

If the offensive line struggles, the passing game will be scrapped immediately, and having a solid workhorse running back becomes that much more crucial. We have seen Moulton steadily increase his production as he's gotten more comfortable with the offense, and even with talent in front of him, he's still been able to produce.

Now, he is the guy and someone the Hawkeyes will rely on heavily next season. It will be interesting to see how new running back coach Jay Norvell integrates transfer LJ Phillips Jr. and talented sophomores Xavier Williams and Nathan McNeil, but there is no doubt Moulton will be the leader of the group.

His success hinges on the strength of the offensive line, but he will have plenty of opportunities to prove Cohen right thanks to the inexperience Iowa will have at quarterback.

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