Welcome back to our countdown to the 2026 Iowa football season! 

Since May 28, we've been counting down the final 100 days until the Hawkeyes swarm out of the Kinnick Stadium tunnel to "Back in Black" for their season opener against Northern Illinois on Sept. 5. 

Each day has primarily featured an article profiling every member of the 2026 roster based on their jersey number that happens to fall on the respective day of the countdown. Sunday's article was a little different due to no Hawkeye wearing No. 69, but we're back to the basics today. 

READ MORE: 69 Days Until Iowa Football: The Last Time Iowa Won At Michigan 

Today marks 68 days until kickoff, so that means it's time to take a look at the man who wears No. 68 - offensive lineman Will Nolan. 

Get to know him here: 

Hometown: Arlington Heights, Illinois 

High School: John Hersey High School 

Year: Redshirt Sophomore 

Height: 6-foot-6

Weight: 310 pounds 

Other notable players to wear No. 68: A recognizable Hawkeye to wear No. 68 in recent years is former offensive lineman Landon Paulsen. Paulsen and his identical twin brother, Levi, immediately became fan favorites in Iowa City because of their matching long-haired, bearded look. Paulsen didn't see regular starting action until 2019, but it was well worth the wait, as the Hawkeyes secured their first 10-win season since 2015. 

Nolan hasn't seen any game action over of his two seasons as a Hawkeye, but he still has three years of eligibility remaining. He was a standout player for Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, Illinois, helping the Huskies to consecutive 10-win campaigns during his final two seasons. 

247Sports ranked Nolan as a four-star recruit and the No. 7 player in Illinois for the Class of 2024. He received offers from Iowa State, Indiana, Duke, Illinois, and others before announcing his commitment to the Hawkeyes in May 2023. 

Nolan probably won't see a starting role this year, but he's a name to watch for in the future. Here's what national recruiting analyst Allen Trieu had to say about Nolan during his May 2023 scouting report on Nolan: 

"Naturally lean frame but filled in nicely during his junior year. Multi-sport athlete who has excellent results as a thrower on the track team which typically correlates to future offensive line success. Athleticism and movement skills are evident on film. Gets off the ball well and plays with balance. Could stand to get lower at times, but has the bend and athletic tools to keep improving in that area. Gets into the second level well and out into space well. Looks more experienced as a run blocker now than pass pro. Work in progress but has great upside and the gifts to be a Power Five starter and has markers we see in future draft picks."

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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]