Iowa football is turning heads this week as the Hawkeyes host DL transfer Lance Ingold, a towering six-foot-six defensive lineman from Northern Illinois. With the program facing multiple departures on the defensive front, Ingold’s visit to Iowa City comes at a critical time, offering hope for depth and future impact.
Defensive line coach Kelvin Bell has long shown a preference for long, physically imposing players who can dominate the line of scrimmage and Ingold fits that mold perfectly. Hawkeye fans may remember former Iowa standout Yahya Black, now making waves with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ingold has the size and length to follow a similar developmental path under Bell and defensive coordinator Phil Parker.
The Hawkeyes are losing a significant amount of defensive talent following the 2025 season. Key departures include graduates Max Llewellyn, Ethan Hurkett, and Aaron Graves, along with Jonah Pace and Brian Allen Jr., who has entered the transfer portal. To address this attrition, Iowa has been actively pursuing transfer portal additions, already securing Brice Stevenson from Holy Cross and Kahmari Brown from Elon. Ingold could be the next vital piece to stabilize the defensive line.
According to On3 Sports, Ingold originally from Rochester, Illinois has officially scheduled his visit to Iowa this week. Over two seasons at Northern Illinois, he has contributed as a reserve, recording 17 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two tackles for loss. While these numbers may not leap off the page, his physical attributes give him untapped potential that Iowa’s coaching staff is eager to develop.
Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 255 pounds, Ingold brings the rare combination of size, length, and athleticism that can stretch the field on the defensive edge. Iowa has a long tradition of fielding elite run stoppers both on the interior and the edge, and with several departures, adding a player like Ingold could provide a much-needed boost. His presence on the roster would give Bell and Parker flexibility in their defensive schemes, allowing them to rotate effectively and maintain pressure throughout games.
Despite primarily playing a backup role in college, Ingold enters Iowa with three years of eligibility remaining. That timeline gives him the opportunity to not only develop but to make a lasting impact on the Hawkeye defensive front. Coaches will likely see him as a developmental project with a high ceiling a player who can evolve into a consistent starter and disruptor on the line of scrimmage.
While some fans may have been hoping for a “home run” signing from the portal, Ingold represents a smart strategic addition. His length and size are especially valuable in pass-rush situations, run defense, and even in setting the edge against spread offenses that challenge Iowa in the trenches. Essentially, he’s the kind of player who may not dominate immediately but could pay dividends over the next few seasons.
What makes this visit particularly intriguing is Iowa’s track record in turning transfers into stars. Players with the right work ethic and physical tools often flourish in the Hawkeye system. If Ingold can adapt quickly, he could follow in the footsteps of other defensive linemen who made the leap from reserve roles to impactful starters.
For Iowa fans, the timing couldn’t be better. The Hawkeyes need size, depth, and potential along the defensive line, and DL transfer Lance Ingold may provide all three. Whether he becomes a key contributor immediately or develops into a cornerstone of Iowa’s front seven over the next few seasons, one thing is clear: the Hawkeyes are committed to keeping their defensive line formidable, and Ingold’s visit this week is a critical step in that plan.
