Iowa football cracks top 20 in ESPN spring practice updated top 25
· Yahoo Sports
Spring practice is nearing its end, with focus quickly shifting to summer workouts and the rapidly approaching fall camp, which will be here before fans and teams realize. The Iowa Hawkeyes are nearing the close of spring practice, which has been vital for a team full of new faces in starting positions.
A team routinely known for its veteran experience, Iowa is ushering in a bit of a different look this year, with many starters getting their first chance and a transfer portal haul that is hoping to provide an instant talent infusion.
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Those additions and the consistent success Kirk Ferentz has had in Iowa City have this team earning the benefit of the doubt, coming in at No. 19 in ESPN's spring updated top 25 rankings.
19. Iowa Hawkeyes
2025 record: 9-4, 6-3 Big Ten
Previous ranking: 16
Key players lost: OT Gennings Dunker, G Beau Stephens, C Logan Jones, QB Mark Gronowski, WR/KR Kaden Wetjen, DT Aaron Graves, DE Ethan Hurkett, DE Max Llewellyn, LB Karson Sharar, LB Jaden Harrell, S Xavier Nwankpa, S Koen Entringer
Key additions: RB L.J. Phillips (South Dakota), WR Tony Diaz (Texas-Rio Grand Valley), WR Evan James (Furman), G Trent Wilson (James Madison), DE Kahmari Brown (Elon), DE Lance Ingold (Northern Illinois)
2026 outlook: The Hawkeyes are going to have many new starters on both sides of the ball, but chances are 70-year-old Kirk Ferentz and his coaching staff are going to figure out a way to produce another winning team. Jeremy Hecklinski and Hank Brown will battle for the starting quarterback job. The Hawkeyes added Phillips, who ran for 1,920 yards with 19 touchdowns for the Coyotes. Three starters from the Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line are leaving, but guard Kade Pieper coming back for another season helps. There are many holes to fill on defense, but with Phil Parker still in charge, the Hawkeyes should again be stingy. - Mark Schlabach, ESPN
It's as standard as the sun coming up each day. Iowa and Phil Parker are going to have a strong defense that makes teams earn any yardage and points. Unfortunately, just as common is the question falling back on the offense.
Can this offense find traction with a new quarterback as they usher in a new signal caller for the third time in as many years? That is where Iowa's success lies, and if offensive coordinator Tim Lester can cook up another strong rushing attack as he has done the last two seasons for the Hawkeyes, this team is going to be right there.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire : Iowa football cracks top 20 in ESPN spring practice updated top 25