Vonnahme revealed that he once aspired to become a YouTuber during his post spring practice availability.
Apri 17 began as just another Friday for the Iowa football team, but it ended with what could be one of the most legendary videos in recent Hawkeye history.
No, it wasn't a highlight clip from practice, it was a clip of a fifth grade-aged tight end DJ Vonnahme filming himself talking on the school bus. He uttered this phrase:
"If you don't remember me, I'm DJ Vonnahme. Remember that. DJ Vonnahme!"
The video, posted by junior offensive lineman Trevor Lauck with no context on X, quickly went viral in the Hawkeye community.
Vonnahme had to have been prepared for the question to be asked, and the question came following Iowa's open spring practice at Kinnick Stadium on April 25. Vonnahme explained that he aspired to be a YouTuber as a kid, and even made a YouTube channel to fuel that passion.
The channel has since been deleted due to the video's popularity, but this video was first discovered by quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski, who was also responsible for the edit that follows the young Vonnahme's comments.
Vonnahme, a redshirt sophomore, never expected the video to find its way to social media, but admitted that it gave him a good laugh.
"I kind of just laughed about it, and then about every text message I got from every single aunt, uncle or every single relative, was like, 'Hey, you see this video about you?' So it's funny," Vonnahme said.
The video will now likely be played frequently during the 2026 season, but it's for good reason. Vonnahme figures to be one of Iowa's breakout players this year, and that might even be a stretch because one could argue the breakout already happened.
Vonnahme became a trusted target for Mark Gronowski through the final few weeks of the season, recording three touchdowns and 434 yards on 29 receptions. He ended the 2025 campaign as the Hawkeyes' leading receiver, and figures to be in the running for that again in 2026.
Though he's garnered a lot of attention from the media and his peers, Vonnahme is just entering his third season of college football. The repetitions built through spring practice and eventually fall camp should continue his ascendence, but his primary focus this offseason?
Gaining confidence.
"I feel like I'm still young only going in my third year, but I guess just gaining more confidence each and every time I'm out there is really the biggest thing," Vonnahme said.
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HawkeyeRoundtable publisher Brad Schultz has covered the Iowa Hawkeyes since 2023. To send him story ideas, scoops, or criticize his writing, reach him at bradschultz@roundtable.io