Vander Zee has battled injuries over his first two seasons, but is healthy and ready to produce for the 2026 Hawkeyes.
The ongoing quarterback battle between Jeremy Hecklinski and Hank Brown has dominated Iowa football's early spring headlines, but that's not the only question mark for the 2026 Hawkeyes.
Every college football team is figuring out its roster at this point in the year, so nearly every position could be tossed up as a question mark, but one of the primary focal points in question for Iowa this season may be at wide receiver.
The Hawkeyes have lacked consistent production at wide receiver over the last few seasons, but that's not the question mark with this group. It features a talented core, but how will it mesh with whoever is under center?
That's the question head coach Kirk Ferentz and wide receivers coach Jon Budmayr hope to find a clearer answer to as the spring and summer months progress, but they've certainly eased a little bit knowing they have the services of Reece Vander Zee.
Vander Zee's talent was shown on day one - literally. The Rock Rapids, Iowa native caught two touchdown passes in his first collegiate game against Illinois State in the 2024 season opener. Poor quarterback play limited his production in the weeks that followed, but a three-catch, one-touchdown performance against Michigan State on Oct. 19 of that year brought the optimism back.
But then the injury bug hit. Vander Zee missed the rest of the 2024 season with an injury, and missed the first five games of the 2025 campaign due to what CBS Sports called a "freak foot injury" suffered days before the season opener.
Vander Zee didn't return until mid-October, but his return was well worth the wait. He heavily benefited from his 6-foot-4 frame, recording receptions against Nebraska and Vanderbilt that would've pleased Randy Moss.
"It's been a pretty wild ride for me, and I wouldn't change it for the world. Everything is a blessing," Vander Zee said at media availability on April 9.
But that was the past. The focus is now on the present, and Vander Zee is glad to be back in the swing of things.
"It's good to have a little little break after the season and get back with my legs underneath and start running again," he said.
Building a strong bond on and off the field with his receiving corps - especially highly-anticipated transfer Tony Diaz (more on him later in the spring) is the primary goal for Vander Zee, but developing a connection with his quarterbacks is right up there as well.
Vander Zee and Co. are still getting acquainted with Hecklinski and Brown's different skill-sets. Hecklinski is known as the gunslinger and scrambler, while Brown is the pocket passer.
Hecklinski's ability to make plays outside of the pocket is nothing but a positive aspect for the Hawkeyes' offense, but it can be difficult for receivers to break out of their routes and get open.
Vander Zee isn't worried about that - he just wants to make plays.
"I just trust him [Hecklinski] and trust that he's gonna make a good decision to try to get open and trust my rules," Vander Zee said. ..."I'm just out there to do my job. So whoever's out there with me, I'm gonna do my job for them. That's really all I'm focused on."
When Iowa fans get their first look at the 2026 Hawkeye football team during Iowa's annual open spring practice on April 25, they may not recognize Vander Zee. That's because he switched his jersey number from No. 15 to No. 2.
While No. 2 was Vander Zee's high school number, it's not the only reason he's making the switch.
"It's a good reminder for me that I'm always second in the equation," Vander Zee said. : "I try to keep, keep God first, keep my family, my friends, my teammates, keep them all first, and then myself worry about that second."
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