The first official depth chart has been released for Iowa football, which means, lock in people! The Iowa football season is just around the corner.
The depth chart aligns with the projections that have been indicating what to expect this offseason. Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz has often compared this squad to the 2008 squad, signifying multiple players could move up or down the chart as the season progresses.
Let's dive into the first offical depth chart of the 2025-2026 season!
Quarterbacks
Starter - Mark Gronowski (senior)
Backup - Hank Brown (sophomore)
The quarterback battle was over when Mark Gronowski transferred to Iowa during the January transfer portal window. Gronowski was brought in to solve the long-standing offensive woes of the Hawkeyes offense, and he has been officially named the starter.
Hank Brown was impressive throughout spring football and fall camp and had the benefit of joining the program early, allowing him to learn the system and gain a leg up on the backup role.
The depth chart does not list a No.3 quarterback, but all projections point to freshman Jeremy Hecklinski as the third-string quarterback.
Running Backs
Starter - Kamari Moulton (sophomore) OR Terrell Washington (sophomore)
Backup - Xavier Williams (freshman) OR Jaziun Patterson (junior)
The excessive use of the word "or" for this group indicates that each of the four primary running backs will be used at some point, depending on the packages the offense runs.
Kamari Moulton secured the starting role, but could give way to either of the other three running backs.
The running backs group is deep and the offense can utilize each of their unique skillsets.
Receivers
Wide receiver "X"
Starter - Sam Phillips (senior)
Backup - Reece Vander Zee (sophomore)
Wide receiver "F" (slot)
Starter - Jacob Gill (senior)
Backup - KJ Parker (freshman)
Wide receiver "Z"
Starter - Seth Anderson (senior)
Backup - Kaden Wetjen (senior)
The Iowa receivers room is deeper than it has been in previous seasons, with a good. ix of veterans and young players.
The biggest surprise from this group was transfer receiver Sam Phillips beating out Reece Vander Zee for the starting "X" receiver spot. Phillips had a great camp and became a favorite target of Mark Gronowski, which must have given him the edge.
It is also great that Seth Anderson has been named a starter after struggling with injuries during his time with the Hawkeye program.
Tight ends
Starter - Addison Ostrenga
Backup - Zach Ortwerth
Third-string - Hayden Large
The Hawkeyes have another strong tight end group as they head into the 2025-2026 season. Addison Ostrenga showed flashes of what he could do last season in a backup role and was named the starter this season.
Ostrenga and Ortwerth will be heavily used in the offense as the Hawkeye program utilizes its tight ends as well as any program in college football.
Offensive line
Left tackle
Starter - Jack Dotzler (junior) OR Trevor Lauck (sophomore)
Backup - Bryce George (senior)
Left guard
Starter - Beau Stephens (senior)
Backup - Leighton Jones (sophomore)
Center
Starter - Logan Jones (senior)
Backup - Michael Myslinski (senior)
Right guard
Starter - Kade Peiper (senior)
Backup - Lucas Allgeyer (freshman)
Right tackle
Starter - Gennings Dunker (senior)
Backup - Jack Dotzler (junior) OR Tervor Lauck (sophomore)
The Iowa offensive line unit will be one of the strongest units this season, led by a trio of senior leaders (Dunker, Jones, and Stephens).
The question mark is at left tackle, and Ferentz and his staff did not fully commit to one starter, implying both players will get some time at the position this season.
Defensive line
Left end
Starter - Max Llewellyn (senior)
Backup - Brian Allen (senior)
Left tackle
Starter - Aaron Graves (senior)
Backup - Kenneth Merriweather (senior)
Right tackle
Starter - Bryce Hawthorne (sophomore)
Backup - Jonah Pace (senior)
Right end
Starter - Ethan Hurkett (senior)
Backup - Kenneth Merriweather (senior)
The biggest surprise of the group was sophomore Bryce Hawthorne being named the starter. Hawthorne is a transfer from South Dakota State, but was not expected to play a significant role in the first year of Phil Parker's system.
Hawthorne learned quickly and beat out fellow transfer Jonah Pace for the final spot on the defensive line.
Linebackers
Middle linebacker
Starter - Jaden Harrell (senior)
Backup - Jayden Montgomery (junior)
Weak-side linebacker
Starter - Karson Sharar (senior)
Backup - Jaxon Rexroth (senior)
Outside linebacker
Starter - Jaxon Rexroth (senior)
Backup - Landyn Van Kekerix (junior)
Cash
Starter - Zach Lutmer (sophomore)
Backup - Koen Entringer (junior)
The Iowa linebackers group was a question mark heading into this season, but we now know who will be in the middle of the field for Phil Parker's defense.
The group lacks in-game experience, but they have worked in Parker's system for many years.
Defensive backs
Left cornerback
Starter - T.J. Hall (senior)
Backup - Jaylen Watson (sophomore) OR Shahid Barros
Right cornerback
Starter - Deshaun Lee (junior)
Backup - Jaylen Watson (sophomore) OR Rashad Godfrey (sophomore)
Strong safety
Starter - Koen Entringer (sophomore)
Backup - Zach Lutmer (sophomore)
Free safety
Starter - Xavier Nwankpa (senior) OR Koen Entringer (sophomore)
Backup - Kael Kolarik (junior)
The Hawkeye defense is running it back with Hall and Lee, the two corners who were responsible for getting torched during the Hawkeyes final game of the 2024-2025 season.
The Hawkeyes must improve on the backend if they hope to return to the dominating form they have displayed in years passed.