Summer workouts have begun, and fans can smell college football in the air.
It has been quiet around the Iowa football program since spring practices wrapped up, and the 2027 recruiting cycle slowed down significantly. Summer workouts have begun in final preparation for the 2026-2027 season, and we still don't have a full picture of what this year's team will be.
Kirk Ferentz has always kept things close to the chest, especially before the season, but even a brief glimpse into what the squad could be during the spring was extremely limited. As the summer progresses, the 2026 Big Ten Football Media Days will soon be here, and we now know who the Hawkeyes are sending
A trio of veteran players will accompany Kirk Ferentz in Chicago for Big Ten Media Days
Spring practices provided a small look into what the squad might look like before Iowa's first regular-season game against Northern Illinois on September 5. There are multiple question marks across the board, and there is no doubt Ferentz and his guys will be asked about them extensively.
Iowa football’s representatives at Big Ten Media Days this year: Kirk Ferentz, Zach Lutmer, Jayden Montgomery and Addison Ostrenga.
— Tyler Tachman (@Tyler_T15) June 24, 2026
In typical Iowa football fashion, the program will be represented by two defensive players and a tight end, including Addison Ostrenga, Jayden Montgomery, and Zach Lutmer. Ostrenga is the lone senior of the group, but Lutmer and Montgomery are both upperclassmen as well. It is great to see Ostrenga back in the fold after a season-ending injury against Iowa State last season.
Lutmer is coming off an extremely productive season in the Iowa secondary, and Montgomery is one of the projected starters at linebacker next season. All three players are extremely talented and represent position groups poised for success next season.
The tight end group could easily go four deep with Ostrenga, DJ Vonnahme, Zach Ortwerth, and Thomas Meyer, with Eli Johnson and Mason Woods also vying for more snaps. The secondary looks like the best defensive group with Lutmer as the anchor, and the linebackers group features three stellar options in Montgomery, Cam Buffington, and Landyn Van Kekerix.
Despite three solid groups, Iowa still has multiple questions on both lines, and at quarterback, and it will be interesting to see how Ferentz answers, or most likely pivots around them. The potential is there, but many questions must be answered. The 2026 Big Ten Media Days are a three-day event from July 28 to 30, with the Hawkeyes taking the stage on July 28.
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