Iowa Football Uses the Transfer Portal to Acquire a Desired FCS Kicker One of the best kickers in FCS signed a transfer portal commitment to join Iowa football’s roster for the 2026 campaign. Eli Ozick, a former standout from North Dakota State, formally committed to the Hawkeyes on Sunday night, providing Iowa with a dependable and tested option at a position that frequently decides close Big Ten games.
Ozick’s dedication wasn’t totally unexpected. The 5-foot-11, 191-pound kicker was spotted in Iowa City over the weekend attending Iowa men’s basketball’s victory over UCLA. The sighting immediately sparked rumors among Hawkeye supporters. That rumor was confirmed less than a day later when Ozick declared he would play in black and gold for the remainder of his college career.
Ozick, who comes to Iowa City from Liberty, Missouri, has a strong resume. He became one of the FCS’s most reliable kickers during his three years at North Dakota State. Ozick showed respectable range with a career-long kick of 54 yards and made 19 of his 23 field goal attempts. As it reorganizes its special teams unit, Iowa has been looking for precisely that kind of leg strength and accuracy.
Additionally, Ozick played a significant role in North Dakota State’s recent winning streak. He was a member of the Bison team that won the FCS National Championship in 2024, giving an Iowa program that values experience in critical situations a championship pedigree. Ozick was rarely overburdened by pressure while playing for an enduring powerhouse like NDSU, which should help him on Saturdays at Kinnick Stadium.
He might have had his best season to date. Ozick made 16 of 18 field goals for the top-seeded Bison in 2025. With a stunning upset loss to Illinois State in the second round, North Dakota State’s hopes of making another deep run in the FCS Playoffs were dashed. Ozick maintained his consistent presence throughout that disappointing conclusion, solidifying the reputation he developed over several seasons.
The timing of Ozick’s arrival is ideal for Iowa. Drew Stevens, the Hawkeyes’ starting kicker, is leaving after giving the position stability. It’s never easy to replace a dependable kicker, particularly for a team like Iowa that frequently plays close, low-scoring games where every point counts. Kirk Ferentz’s strategy has long been based on field position, clock control, and seizing scoring opportunities, so special teams is an essential part of the whole plan.
Ozick is a perfect fit in that situation. Iowa is getting a kicker with experience in high-stakes situations, not just one with a strong leg. Ozick has encountered almost every scenario a kicker could encounter, from national championship runs to playoff pressure. His transition to the FBS level should be made easier by that experience, and he will be able to compete for the starting position right away. Iowa’s increasing activity on the transfer portal is also reflected in this move.
The Hawkeyes have been deliberate and selective in their search for replacements, despite the fact that the program has seen a number of contributors leave in recent weeks. Adding a seasoned expert like Ozick emphasizes that strategy. Iowa hired someone with a proven track record of success rather than taking a developmental flyer.
Ozick is now the next player to profit from the Iowa coaching staff’s and special teams coordinator LeVar Woods’ well-established reputation for producing and utilizing specialists. From clutch field goals to the field-position struggles that frequently tip games in the Hawkeyes’ favor, Iowa supporters have witnessed the power of outstanding special teams play. That identity should only be strengthened by Ozick’s consistency.
Confidence has an intangible value that goes beyond the numbers. Kickers with experience are trusted by coaches, and teammates benefit from their dependability. An offense’s strategy is altered by the knowledge that a drive that stalls at the 35-yard line can still produce points. Ozick’s accuracy and range could give Iowa an advantage, especially in games played in cold climates later in the season when conditions get more difficult.
Ozick’s commitment stands out as one of the most significant additions to date as Iowa navigates the early phases of the 2026 transfer portal cycle. Even though kickers don’t always make headlines, their impact is frequently felt when the game is on the line. Acquiring a kicker of Ozick’s caliber feels like a subtly important victory for a program built on discipline, defense, and attention to detail.
Ultimately, Iowa did more than simply fill a roster position. With a player who brings experience, poise, and championship history, the Hawkeyes filled a critical need. Eli Ozick’s decision to transfer from North Dakota State to Iowa may turn out to be one of the cycle’s most significant decisions as the offseason progresses and 2026 preparations continue.
