Another defensive player for the Hawkeyes decided to look into other options late on Friday night, adding to the offseason activity for Iowa football. As Iowa’s second defensive departure of the early portal window, redshirt junior defensive end Brian Allen formally registered on the NCAA transfer portal, adding even more intrigue to an already exciting January in Iowa City.
Eliot Clough of HawkeyeInsider and 247Sports initially broke the story, confirming that Allen, a defensive line rotational contributor, is looking for a new program for his final season of eligibility. During the 2025 season, Allen, who stands 6 feet 3 inches and weighs 264 pounds, established himself as a reliable member of Iowa’s defensive front, contributing depth and pass-rush energy to a team that once again relied heavily on its defense.
Strong metrics supported Allen’s on-field impact. He recorded 282 defensive snaps this season and received a pass rusher grade of 77.4 and an overall defensive grade of 72.4, according to Pro Football Focus. Even though he wasn’t a full-time starter, those numbers showed a player who regularly performed his duties and showed disruption when given opportunities.
Allen played in 28 games over the course of three seasons at Iowa. With 34 total tackles, five tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two passes defended, and one fumble recovery, his stat line demonstrated consistent output. Even though those figures might not stand out on their own, they demonstrated a player who consistently improved within Iowa’s defensive scheme and made contributions whenever his name was called.
In addition to his box score, Allen had been making waves in the offseason. The native of Lake in the Hills, Illinois, made an impression both at Iowa’s yearly Kids Day at Kinnick Stadium and during spring practices. He was seen by those close to the program as a player who was on the rise and who seemed ready to challenge for a bigger role possibly even a starting position in the 2026 campaign.
His choice to use the transfer portal is especially noteworthy because of this. Allen will now use his skills elsewhere in an attempt to make the most of his final year of eligibility in a different setting, rather than taking advantage of what appeared to be an expanded opportunity with the Hawkeyes. Such changes are becoming more frequent in today’s college football environment, particularly for players who think a new start could result in more snaps, a different scheme fit, or more exposure.
Allen is now the second Iowa defensive player to use the transfer portal this cycle, along with safety Kael Kolarik. Even for a program that has long taken pride in producing defensive talent and reloading with ease, several defensive departures naturally raise concerns about depth and continuity, even though the process is still early.
Allen had a strong resume when he arrived in Iowa City after graduating from high school. According to 247Sports, he was a three-star recruit in the Hawkeyes’ 2022 signing class, ranked as the third overall prospect in Illinois and the 111th defensive lineman in the country. He was viewed by Iowa as a player with potential for development, and he eventually proved to be just that someone who gained the coaching staff’s trust and worked his way into the rotation.
His departure highlights the realities of contemporary roster management, but it does not portend panic. Like all programs, Iowa now has to strike a balance between internal development, high school recruits, incoming transfers, and portal exits. The loss of a player who seemed poised for a larger role highlights how rosters have become more flexible and how quickly plans can shift from one season to the next.
The Hawkeyes’ attention is now on how the defensive line will appear in spring ball and beyond. Iowa’s defenses have traditionally been built on depth, rotation, and unrelenting competition; as new players are called upon to step up, this philosophy will be put to the test once more. It will be necessary to replace Allen’s snaps and possible role, whether through future portal additions, younger prospects, or returning players. The choice marks the beginning of a new chapter for Allen. He should be a desirable choice for programs seeking to add seasoned assistance along the defensive front because of his film, production, and PFF grades. A player may occasionally need a change of scenery in order to advance to the next level of their game.
Iowa’s roster will continue to change as the transfer portal continues to influence the offseason story. The departure of Brian Allen serves as yet another reminder that January has emerged as one of the most crucial months in college football, when rosters are changed, careers are redirected, and the foundation for the upcoming campaign is subtly established.
