We are close to kickoff for the first Iowa football game of the 2025-2026 season!
The Hawkeyes are flying under the radar to start the season, but they have high internal expectations for this year.
After revamping the quarterback room and naming South Dakota State transfer Mark Gronowski as the starting quarterback for week one, the Iowa offense looks to take a massive leap forward.
As Gronowski grows more comfortable in the system, his teammates are growing more comfortable with him. If Gronowski and the Iowa offense can take a big step forward in year two of offensive coordinator Tim Lester's offense, Iowa will surprise some teams this season.
A staple of the program has always been the defense, and with another year of Phil Parker at the helm, the Hawkeyes are projected to have another solid season.
If there are any question marks surrounding the Iowa squad this season, it is the linebackers and the secondary.
The linebacker group does not have much in-game experience, but they are mostly upperclassmen who have been in Parker's system for years.
The secondary was torched at times last season, and will on some unfamiliar names to play meaniful snaps this season.
One way to alleviate concerns about the defense is to add former Hawkeye and legendary safety Bob Sanders to the secondary.
Imagine these program legends on present day B1G rosters... 🤯 pic.twitter.com/3tnTOFecrJ
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) August 27, 2025
When the Big Ten Network asked all Big Ten conference coaches which former player they would add to this year's roster, Kirk Ferentz chose former safety Bob Sanders.
Ferentz stated he has had a lot of players in his 27 years as head coach and is likely going to upset most of them, but he quickly chose Sanders as the player he would add.
Sanders was a Hawkeye from 2000 to 2003, and was known for his bone-crunching hits. Those hits help Sanders lead the nation in forced fumbles (six) and fumble recoveries (three) as a senior in 2003.
He also had a 25-tackle game against Indiana in 2001.
Sanders went on to have a successful seven-year career for the Indianapolis Colts, and was elected to the Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018.