When Cael Winter was told he would be Iowa football's starting center in 2026, his reaction wasn't what you'd expect. 

There was some elation, but for Winter, becoming a starting offensive lineman for the Hawkeyes was never a dream - it was the expectation. 

"It's what we've been what we've been working on, and it's obviously exciting, but it's just another step in the journey," Winter said at media availability on Sept. 1. 

It was Winter's consistent performance in fall camp that helped him beat out veterans Kade Pieper and Michael Mysliskini. Fall camp competitions last only three or four weeks each year, but Winter's battle for playing time has taken years - three to be exact. 

Why? Because the 6-foot-3, 294-pound Winter arrived in Iowa City as an unknown walk-on from Waukee Northwest High School in Waukee, Iowa. 

The Hawkeyes were Winter's only Division I offer, and despite growing up a fan of in-state archrival Iowa State (both parents attended ISU), the chance to play for a program nationally-recognized for its star-studded offensive line was always Winter's plan. 

"I always watched the games, and I saw that Iowa always had the best linemen. So I always told my parents I wanted to play for Iowa if I got the chance," Winter said. 

Though making his college decision was easy, Winter then had to face the daunting task of earning playing time as a walk-on. The statistics weren't in his favor. While 49% of Division I athletes are walk-ons (Captain U), only 5-10% of college football players earn scholarships and become starters. 

Fortunately for Winter, he landed at a place that takes great pride in developing walk-on talent. Multi-year starter Nick DeJong is the most notable recent former walk-on lineman to earn a starting spot at Iowa, but there's been countless other examples (Kaden Wetjen, Drew Stevens, Dallas Clark) at other positions under head coach Kirk Ferentz, too. 

"Ever since we've been here, you're on the team, you're on the team. That's always been our approach and philosophy," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. "If you want to be coached, we're going to coach you." 

Winter clearly fit that philosophy the second he stepped on campus. He treated himself as just a regular player from the start, and it slowly paid off. Winter didn't see any playing time during his first two seasons, but was recognized by his peers with a Team Leader award for his work on the scout team offense during the 2023 campaign. 

The fourth-year finally saw his first game action last year. It was only four games, but the opportunity to learn from veteran offensive line coach George Barnett and a Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line was crucial for his development. 

Learning the "everyday, mundane" skills from Barnett was big, but soaking in any information he could take from Rimington Trophy winner (nation's top center) and current Chicago Bears center Logan Jones may have been the most important thing for Winter.

"Me and Logan would get together almost every day last year and worked through steps, and then we talked through blitzes and blocking schemes and things like that," Winter said. 

But offseason preparations are now over. Winter and the Hawkeyes must turn their attention to their season opener against the Northern Illinois Huskies on Saturday (3:15 p.m., BTN). 

Winter admits that he's a little nervous for his first start, but all that matters from this point on is helping Iowa win football games. His face maintained a stoic look for much of his breakout session, but Winter couldn't help but crack a smile near the end of it when asked about what it's going to mean when he runs out of the tunnel on Saturday. 

The "swarm" will feature everyone that has been there for Winter throughout his football journey. His parents, who have happily made the transition to wearing black and gold, will be there, and sharing the walk with Winter will be his teammates and coaches. 

For Winter, it will be a reminder of what's important in life and the good things that could be on the horizon. 

"It's just the culmination of a lot of work and a lot of time spent," Winter said. "[Lots of]  sacrifice from not only me but my family and everyone that helped me get to where where I'm at right now, and there's a lot of work to be done still." 

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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 [email protected]