If you’ve spent any time in Iowa City lately, you know the vibe is shifting. The old "Punt and Pray" jokes are finally losing their teeth. As we roll into the 2026 spring practice window, the Iowa Hawkeye depth chart looks less like a relic of the 1980s and more like a modern roster built for the expanded Big Ten. Kirk Ferentz is still at the helm—entering his 28th season, which is honestly wild—but the personnel underneath him is undergoing a massive facelift.
People see the black and gold and expect the same old story. They expect a stagnant offense and a defense that carries the world on its shoulders. But look closer. Between a wide-open quarterback battle and some late-night transfer portal drama, this spring is going to be anything but predictable.
The Quarterback Room: Life After Gronowski
Mark Gronowski was a godsend. Let’s just call it what it was. Coming from South Dakota State, he brought a level of winning experience (52 career wins!) that Iowa desperately needed. But he’s gone now, and the "Gronk" era is over. Now, Tim Lester has a real puzzle on his hands.
The Iowa Hawkeye depth chart at QB is currently a two-horse race between Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski. Honestly, they couldn't be more different. Brown is that classic, big-bodied Nashville kid—6'4", strong arm, looks the part. He's the Auburn transfer who spent last year learning the ropes. Then you have Hecklinski. Lester calls him a "gun slinger" and compares him to Greg Maddux because of his different arm slots and "pitches." He’s a Wake Forest transfer who plays with a certain moxie Iowa fans haven't seen in a long time.
And don't forget the wildcard: Tradon Bessinger. He’s the four-star commit for 2026 who actually chose Iowa over offensive powerhouses. That tells you everything you need to know about the trajectory of this offense under Lester. While Brown might have the physical edge, Hecklinski’s ability to throw receivers open and make off-script plays makes him the favorite for many insiders heading into the spring.
Wide Receivers and the "Speed" Problem
For years, the wide receiver room in Iowa City felt like a place where dreams went to die. Not anymore. Kaden Wetjen is back as a graduate student, and the guy is basically a human torch. Whether he’s returning punts or lining up at the Z-slot, he’s the most explosive player on the field.
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But it’s the new faces that should have you interested:
- Lance Beeghley: A last-minute steal from SMU who signed just hours before the portal closed in January. He’s got three years of eligibility and a massive chip on his shoulder.
- Jacob Gill: The Northwestern/North Carolina transfer who has solidified himself as the primary slot (SL) option.
- Reece Vander Zee: Now a sophomore, he’s expected to hold down the X position.
The depth here is finally real. We aren't just talking about one guy and a prayer. We're talking about a rotation that actually forces Big Ten secondaries to respect the pass.
Phil Parker’s Defensive Machine: Reloading, Not Rebuilding
It’s the one constant in the universe. Death, taxes, and a Phil Parker defense ranking in the top ten. Even with some departures to the NFL and the portal—like Koen Entringer heading to Louisville—the Iowa Hawkeye depth chart on defense is terrifyingly deep.
Aaron Graves is the anchor now. He’s a senior, he’s from Dayton, Iowa, and he plays like he wants to break the person in front of him. Watching him and Max Llewellyn on the edges is going to be a problem for opposing O-lines. But the real story is the late portal addition of Emmanuel Olagbaju.
Olagbaju was committed to UConn. Then, literally hours before the January deadline, Iowa flipped him. He’s a 295-pound monster who can play multiple spots on the line. He’ll likely start in a reserve role behind Graves and Jonah Pace, but in Parker’s system, the "next man up" is always one snap away from being a star.
The Secondary Shuffle
With Entringer out, the spotlight hits Xavier Nwankpa even harder. He’s a senior now. This is his secondary. Beside him, TJ Hall and Deshaun Lee are the projected starters at corner, but keep an eye on Zach Lutmer at the Nickel (NB) spot. Lutmer is a local Rock Rapids kid who has been rising through the ranks and is already being touted as a future special teams ace.
The Offensive Line: The Great Wall of Iowa
If there is one thing Kirk Ferentz will never compromise on, it’s the big boys up front. The 2026 line looks veteran-heavy, which is exactly how Iowa likes it.
- Logan Jones: The graduate center is the heart of the unit.
- Gennings Dunker: Holding down the Right Tackle spot.
- Beau Stephens: The massive Left Guard who provides the power.
The only real question mark is Left Tackle, where Trevor Lauck is currently the "one," but Jack Dotzler is pushing him hard. If this group stays healthy, the quarterback—whoever it ends up being—will have the best protection Iowa has offered in half a decade.
Why the Depth Chart Matters Right Now
We are in a new era. The Big Ten isn't just a regional scrap anymore; it's a national gauntlet. You can't win with 22 guys. You need 44.
The fact that Iowa was able to pull players like Lance Beeghley and Emmanuel Olagbaju at the eleventh hour shows that the NIL collective is actually working. Players want to come to Iowa City because they know the development is real. They see the 37 active NFL players and realize that while the offense might be "evolving," the pro-readiness of the program is unmatched.
Actionable Insights for Hawkeye Fans
If you're tracking the Iowa Hawkeye depth chart this year, stop looking at the starters and start looking at the "OR" designations. The QB battle between Brown and Hecklinski is likely to go deep into August.
- Watch the Spring Game: Focus on the chemistry between Hecklinski and the new WRs like Beeghley. If they’re clicking early, the "conservative" Iowa offense might finally be a thing of the past.
- Monitor the DL Rotation: With Olagbaju in the mix, expect Kelvin Bell to rotate bodies even more frequently to keep Graves and Hurkett fresh for the fourth quarter.
- Keep an eye on the 2026 recruits: Guys like Tradon Bessinger and Jaxx DeJean (yes, another DeJean) are already casting a long shadow over the current roster.
The 2026 season is shaping up to be a defining moment for the Ferentz legacy. It’s a roster that balances the old-school grit of the trenches with a new-school flair at the skill positions. For the first time in a long time, the depth chart doesn't just look solid—it looks dangerous.