Special teams have always been a strength of the Iowa program under Kirk Ferentz, but that strength will be tested this season.
The Iowa special teams unit will be completely different this season, excluding long snapper Ike Speltz, who returns for his sophomore season.
Before Iowa's victory in the ReliaQuest Bowl over Vanderbilt, special teams coordinator LeVar Woods announced he was leaving the program for Michigan State.
Shortly after the transfer portal opened, Iowa also lost starting punter Rhys Dakin to Michigan State as he joined Woods with the new-look Spartans.
The program moved quickly to replace Woods by promoting defensive analyst Chris Polizzi. Iowa also added two punters and a placekicker through the transfer portal to rebuild after losing Dakin and starting kicker Drew Stevens (graduation).
Potential speical teams starters after the transfer portal window closed
Iowa made multiple signings in the transfer portal to fill the vacant punter and kicker spots, but it will be much harder to replace speical teams ace Kaden Wetjen as he heads to the NFL.
Before spring practices begin, here is what the special teams unit could look like:
- Placekicker: Eli Ozick
- Punter: Tanner Philpott
- Long-snapper: Ike Speltz
- Kick returner: Zach Lutmer, KJ Parker, Brevin Doll
- Punt return: Zach Lutmer
Iowa signed kicker Eli Ozick from North Dakota State to replace long-time starter Drew Stevens, while also adding punters Tanner Philpott (Simpson College) and Boston Everitt (Melbourne, Australia) from the transfer portal.
Ozick should have no problem locking up the starting kicker roll, but it could be a toss up between Philpott and Everitt for the starting punter role.
Philpott most likely has a leg up due to his experience, but the Hawkeyes LOVE Aussie punters, so there should be a healthy competition in spring ball.
The job as the return specialist is up in the air, and it will be hard for anyone to replace Wetjen.
Zutmer is the projected favorite to land the job, but running back Brevin Doll (if he's healthy) and wide receiver KJ Parker should also factor into the discussion.
Iowa always has a way of putting together competitive special teams units, so it will be interesting to see who emerges from spring practices with an inside track to one of the starting jobs.