The Hawkeyes take the field Saturday morning for their only open spring practice at Kinnick Stadium. Here are five thoughts before we get our first live look at the 2026 squad.
It feels like football weather outside, so why not get out and play some football?
We've often experienced horrible weather this time of the year, but the weather couldn't be nicer for a late-April football scrimmage. Your'e probably happy, because Saturday will be the first time Hawkeye fans will get a look at the 2026 Iowa football team.
Gates (A, B, and H) to Kinnick Stadium will open at 9:45 a.m., with practice set to begin one hour later at 10:45.
Those of you who attend this practice each year probably have some questions or thoughts about Iowa football before you enter Kinnick Stadium, and so do I! It's my job, after all.
Here are four thoughts I have about Hawkeye football before open practice:
1. The Quarterback Battle
This may be the obvious one, but I'm really interested to see how Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski look during some of the 11-on-11 scrimmages later on in the practice. We know this is a close race that likely won't be decided until the week of Iowa's first game, but you'd be surprised how much these practices play into Kirk Ferentz's decision. Can Hecklinski use his "gunslinger" mentality to his advantage while making smart decisions with the football? How will Brown's footwork look?
2. Special Teams
Quarterback is clearly the biggest question mark for this Hawkeye team, but another prime position group that few are talking about is special teams. LeVar Woods is off to Michigan State, taking punter Rhys Dakin with him. Analyst Chris Polizzi has stepped in to fill the void, but he's got his work cut out for him. Polizzi will need to find a new kick returner (potentially a punt returner as well) and there's also a kicking battle between North Dakota State transfer Eli Ozick and Caden Buhr. And don't forget about new Aussie punter Boston Everitt, too.
Positions won't be decided after this practice, but I'm keeping a close eye on Polizzi's group.
3. How Fast Can L.J Phillips Run?
Iowa's shiny portal acquisition was South Dakota running back L.J. Phillips. We haven't seen Phillips in a true scrimmage setting for the Black and Gold just yet, but every player and coach we've visited with in the past month can't say enough good things about Phillips. Nathan McNeil called Phillips a "pit bull" because of his ability to stay on his feet, and new running backs coach Jay Norvell called him a "bowling ball of butcher knives."
Those are all amazing phrases to hear from your peers, but how will Phillips fit in offensive coordinator Tim Lester's system? He was a 2,000-yard rusher last year at South Dakota, so I'd say he has a chance to flourish in this talented room. All eyes will definitely be on No. 21.
4. Wide Receivers
This goes hand-and-hand with the quarterback battle, but I'm interested to see how this wide receiver room looks on Saturday. We already know what Reece Vander Zee and Dayton Howard can do, but I'm keeping a close watch on two wideouts - KJ Parker and Tony Diaz. Parker has played primarily on special teams so far, but it could be time for him to emerge into an increased role in the offense.
Diaz, on the other hand, needs no introduction. The 5-foot-11 sophomore made an immediate impact for UTRGV last season and could finally be the explosive guy the Hawkeyes desperately need. Lester confirmed Diaz is battling an injury and could miss the spring practice, but he's still a piece to watch for as the season approaches.
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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