ESPN analyzes Iowa football's biggest strength, weakness for 2026
As Iowa nears the end of spring practice, ESPN analyzed the Hawkeyes' biggest strength and weakness heading into the 2026 season.
As the end of spring ball nears for the Iowa Hawkeyes, the page is going to turn to the rapidly approaching 2026 season and fall camp. Iowa is ushering in a lot of new faces and will feature a new signal-caller at quarterback when all is said and done. The transfer portal brought in new players at skill positions and has seemed to provide a breath of fresh air in Tim Lester's offense through spring practices.
That infusion of talent is showing its head for the Hawkeyes on both ends of ESPN's biggest strengths and weaknesses for each top-25 team , which places Iowa at No. 19. 19.
Iowa Hawkeyes 2025 record: 9-4, 6-3 Big Ten Strength: Running back. Iowa could end up having one of the nation's best running back tandems in 2026. The Hawkeyes return Kamari Moulton , who led the team with 878 rushing yards in 2025, and add South Dakota transfer Lendon Phillips Jr.
, an FCS All-America selection who led the nation with 1,921 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns last season. Weakness: Wide receiver. The group has been down for some time and needs a returner such as Reece Vander Zee (14.