We are just under 25 days until Iowa Football returns!
The program wraps up with fall camp during Kids Day on Friday, August 14, signaling that the 2026-2027 season is right around the corner. The program has been diligently preparing for next season as they try to get over the hump and reach the College Football Playoff for the first time. With some positions ironed out more than others, there is still plenty of room for players to step up and earn expanded roles. With 23 days left until Iowa welcomes Northern Illinois to Kinnick Stadium, we have two players who both wear No. 23 and could have breakout seasons.
Watch out for Brevin Doll and Landyn Van Kekerix this season
The Iowa program always finds a few players who have been in the program for multiple years and finally break out later in their careers. Iowa does not have the luxury of throwing a bunch of five-star recruits onto the field, so they heavily rely on their development to stay competitive in the Big Ten and nationally. It is a credit to Kirk Ferentz and his staff for how adept they are at identifying talent and developing them in the system, and two former in-state prospects could surprise everyone next season.
Landyn Van Kekerix, linebacker (fifth year)
In what could be his final year in college football and with the Hawkeye program, be on the lookout for linebacker Landyn Van Kekerix this season. Van Kekerix has primarily been a special teams performer since joining the program in 2022 from Rock Valley, Iowa, but he hasn't been able to break out in a loaded linebacker group. By the end of last season, Van Kekerix had locked down the backup role at the "Leo" position and is poised to take over as the starter at one of the outside linebacker spots this season. Van Kekerix was a decorated high school player in Rock Valley, and he should finally get his chance this season.
Van Kekerix has the size (six-foot-two, 238 pounds) and athleticism to be impactful on the outside, and he should start at either the Leo or Will linebacker spots. With Sharar and Rexroth both graduating after last season, Van Kekerix will finally be able to prove what he can do and should get the first crack at one of the starting outside linebacker spots. If he takes full control of one of the spots, it will be better for the Hawkeyes, who had to replace both starting outside linebackers this season. Sharar led the Iowa defense in tackles last season, playing both inside and outside for the defense last season, and while it will be difficult to repeat that performance, Van Kekerix has the potential to get close to it.
Brevin Doll, running back (third year)
Adel, Iowa native Brevin Doll had a very decorated high school career at ADM, setting all kinds of program records. 247Sports ranked Doll as Iowa's No. 5 prospect and the No. 33 running back in the 2024 recruiting class. He had a lot of hype coming in, and hasn't lived up to it just yet. He has seen action in only three games in his first three seasons in the program, thanks to a deep running back room and multiple injuries. Injuries held him out of most of last season as the running back room was hard-hit by injuries. Now in his third season with the program, Doll has a chance to make an impact if he stays healthy.
Unfortunately for Doll, the running back room is extremely deep this season, especially after adding talented transfer LJ Phillips Jr. With Kamari Moulton as the projected starter, Doll, Phillips, Nathan McNeil, and Xavier Williams will all be vying for snaps, making it an uphill climb for Doll. He is a talented player when healthy, and an absolute blur on the field, which could allow him to carve out a role on special teams or as a change-of-pace back. The new-look special teams unit could easily use his speed and running ability, and he should be in play as a returner for kicks and punts.
He could also see his fair share of snaps as a receiving or speed back, giving Iowa a different element in the passing game for first-year starter Hank Brown or Jeremy Hecklinski. Everything is contingent upon Doll's health, but if all of his injuries are in the rearview mirror, it wouldn't be a surprise if he makes an impact this season.
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