How the Iowa football depth chart would look today | Leistikow
Chad LeistikowDes Moines Register
Updated April 30, 2026, 8:26 a.m. CT
The Iowa football program is known for consistency under Kirk Ferentz. But one notable thing changed for its media and fans this spring: There was no customary depth chart.
Not one in January, not one prior to or during spring practices. And none is expected this summer, either. The Hawkeyes' most recently released depth chart was Dec. 23, 2025, ahead of the ReliaQuest Bowl vs. Vanderbilt. Thirteen players who will soon be in NFL camps and two departed transfers were among those listed on that depth chart.
A big reason for Iowa's protocol change was due to losing 16 starters while simultaneously gaining a record number of January arrivals (via transfers and freshmen). The program felt it would be misleading to post anything this spring or summer with so many position battles up for grabs. Waiting to release an "official" depth chart until the Monday before the regular-season opener vs. Northern Illinois (which is the plan) ensures information reflects reality, not projection.
Since Iowa isn't putting one out for another four months, this feels like an opportunity for a plugged-in sportswriter to put out a well-informed depth chart coming out of Iowa's 15 spring practices, the last of which took place April 25 at Kinnick Stadium.
Here is an easy-to-read breakdown of 11 position groups (five on offense, five on defense plus special teams) based on in-person viewings, interviews and behind-the-scenes conversations.
Quarterback
Starter: Hank Brown (6-4, 215, junior) OR Jeremy Hecklinski (5-11, 188, sophomore)Top reserve: Jimmy Sullivan (6-1, 197, freshman)
The breakdown: The "OR" here is not a cop-out. Talking to people on and off record, this is truly a neck-and-neck battle to take the first snap on Sept. 5. The healthiest situation is that the competition between Brown and Hecklinski elevates their play and positions quarterback as an area of strength for the program for years to come.
More: Jeremy Hecklinski brings swagger to Iowa football QB battle | Leistikow
As the battle continues into August training camp, the two most crucial categories will be ball protection and third-down conversions. "Moving the team" is how Ferentz categorized what will ultimately decide the QB battle.
The intrigue at QB will increase in June, as Tradon Bessinger arrives. It'll be interesting to see how quickly On3's No. 10 overall quarterback nationally in the 2026 class can compete with Sullivan and Ryan Fitzgerald for the No. 3 QB (of the future?) spot.
Offensive line
Starting five: LT Trevor Lauck (6-5, 310, junior), LG Leighton Jones (6-2, 288, junior), C Kade Pieper (6-4, 290, junior), RG Michael Myslinski (6-2, 290, graduate), RT Jack Dotzler (6-6, 312, senior)Second five: LT Bodey McCaslin (6-6, 299, sophomore), LG Trent Wilson (6-4, 300, sophomore), C Cael Winter (6-3, 290, junior), RG Lucas Allgeyer (6-5, 300, freshman), RT Cannon Leonard (6-9, 309, junior) OR Allgeyer
The breakdown: Despite losing five NFL Draft picks over the past two years, George Barnett's room is extremely robust and healthy. Lauck and Pieper are future NFL picks (as early as 2027), and Jones cemented his left-guard job with what offensive coordinator Tim Lester called an "unbelievable" spring.
More: 'Young courage' leads Iowa football's offensive line into 2026 | Leistikow
The intriguing risers in this room are Winter and Allgeyer, who will give Barnett interesting decisions to make at center and right guard come August. It feels like Iowa has a clear top seven at this point, with Allgeyer being able to flex to his more natural tackle position if needed. Wilson, the James Madison transfer, could become a factor by August.
What's most encouraging is that four new freshmen (unlisted here) who arrived in January bring immense size and have made fast spring progress. This room is well-positioned to maintain the momentum gained from winning the Joe Moore Award in 2025.
Running back
Starter: Kamari Moulton (5-9, 205, junior) OR LJ Phillips (5-9, 225, junior)Top reserves: Xavier Williams (5-10, 225, sophomore), Nathan McNeil (5-11, 203, sophomore)
The breakdown: New running backs coach Jay Norvell has a lot of good options, but can one emerge as a standout like Kaleb Johnson did in 2024? It sounds like Phillips, the FCS's leading rusher in 2025 for South Dakota, lived up to his billing with a strong spring.
More: L.J. Phillips Jr.'s rise leads him to Iowa football
It'll be super-interesting to see who earns the most running-back carries this season after Moulton was the clear leader last year (with 170, to second-place Jaziun Patterson's 60). And who emerges as the goal-line guy after quarterback Mark Gronowski hogged those totes a year ago with 16 rushing touchdowns?
Tight end
Starter: DJ Vonnahme (6-4, 240, sophomore)Top reserves: Thomas Meyer (6-4, 232, freshman), Addison Ostrenga (6-4, 248, senior)
The breakdown: One of the big revelations (or confirmations) this spring was the elite weapon Iowa has in Vonnahme, who, 13 months ago, was a true freshman walk-on. He has blossomed as not only a pass-game threat (10 catches, 237 yards, two touchdowns in Iowa's final two games of 2025) but as a willing and capable blocker.
More: DJ Vonnahme's emergence for Iowa football is 'ANF' success story
Vonnahme's ascent, along with a very deep room, means Lester can run a LOT of "12" personnel (one running back, two tight ends) in 2026, especially if Ostrenga (who was Iowa's No. 1 tight end until tearing his Achilles tendon in Week 2 last season) can get back to full strength by August. Meyer was a big-time recruit and is the No. 2 guy for now.
Tight ends coach Abdul Hodge also has a unique chess piece in athletic freshman Mason Woods (6-2, 217), who flashed in the spring scrimmage. And Zach Ortwerth (remember him?) and Michael Burt are still in the mix, too.
Wide receiver
Starters: Reece Vander Zee (6-4, 215, junior), Tony Diaz (5-11, 176, sophomore), Dayton Howard (6-5, 215, junior)Top reserves: Evan James (5-11, 170, sophomore), KJ Parker (5-10, 184, sophomore)
The breakdown: Staying healthy will be a major theme during summer conditioning for these wide receivers. If they can, Iowa might finally have a chance to have difference-makers at this position for the first time since 2020.
Vander Zee missed the second half of 2024 and the first half of 2025 with separate foot injuries. Diaz (who transferred from Texas-Rio Grande Valley) and James (who transferred from Furman) showed play-making ability this spring, but need to bulk up for the rigors of Big Ten Conference play.
More: Iowa football: Reece Vander Zee can handle the heat — on the field and in the kitchen
Lester views Vander Zee (at the "X" receiver) and Diaz (at the "Z"), in particular, as a potent 1-2 punch that can create more explosive opportunities. Howard can capably flex from "X" to "Z" and is a good run blocker, and James is a unique piece that allows Iowa to play super-fast when he's at the "Z" (thus moving Diaz to the slot or "F" position). Parker needs to show consistency (drops were problematic last season), but his starring performance in the spring scrimmage was encouraging.
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