16 New Hawkeyes Upend the Roster in Iowa Football Transfers! IOWA CITY — Due to Iowa football transfers, the Hawkeye roster is anticipated to alter in 2026. 16 transfer student-athletes will join the football team, the University of Iowa announced on Wednesday. By occupying key positions throughout the depth chart, these newcomers offer an immediate offensive and defensive boost.
Iowa Football Transfers: Class Breakdown
Iowa strengthened their defense by adding four lineman and four defensive backs. Among the standouts are Villanova safety Anthony Hawkins (6-3, 195), who concluded the previous season with 59 tackles and two interceptions, and Ohio State cornerback Cody Haddad, a redshirt freshman with four years of eligibility. Israel Abrams Commitment Sends Shockwaves Through Iowa Football Recruiting
The collection includes running back Lendon “L.J.” Phillips Jr., a 2025 First-Team FCS All-American at South Dakota who tallied 1,921 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns last season the most of any FCS player as well as three wide receivers (Lance Beeghley, Tony Diaz, and Evan James). (He also grabbed 28 passes for 195 yards.)In contrast, Phillips led the FCS in rushing and Hawkins was chosen a Freshman All-American, demonstrating the superior production Iowa has pursued.
According to Tyler Barnes, general manager of Iowa, the staff specifically targeted seasoned veterans. In the official statement, Barnes stated, “Our priority was clear: bring in players who have proven on-field production and multiple years of eligibility remaining.” To put it another way, every transfer ought to be immediately competitive.
These additions “not only strengthen our roster immediately,” according to Barnes, but they also fit with Iowa’s long-term goals. Head coach Kirk Ferentz even alluded to this tactic when he told reporters that Iowa would be “very active” during the January transfer window.
The incoming class literally covers the entire field, to put it another way. In addition to players at running back, offensive line, and special teams, it consists of four defensive linemen, four defensive backs, and three receivers. Although they weren’t all well-known, they all serve a purpose.
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For instance, lineman Trent Wilson (a transfer from James Madison) strengthens the O-line, tackle Emmanuel Olagbaju (formerly from North Dakota) adds size up front, and SMU transfer Lance Beeghley adds speed to the receiver room. Tyler Brown, a defensive back from JMU, was also selected for the first team all-conference and adds new playmaking to the secondary. (Kickers and punters were also covered; Boston Everitt and Tanner Philpott join for special teams, while Eli Ozick of North Dakota State joins at kicker.)
All 16 players are now officially Hawkeyes since the portal is closed. While keeping a close eye on position battles, coaches will incorporate them into spring practice and summer workouts. Iowa might be noticeably better in Big Ten play if even a few of these transfers go as planned. The Hawkeyes finished 7–5 in the regular season the previous year; gaining this much experience all at once could propel the team up the standings.
For the time being, observers and fans will keep an eye on how quickly each newcomer adjusts to Iowa’s system, and the initial excitement is positive. The move appears to have energized the community, as local media and fans have already begun to highlight these new names and compare their college stats.
Read more: Official Iowa Athletics release: “Hawkeyes Add 16 Transfers”
This bold portal haul is one of Iowa’s biggest initiatives in years. Adding 16 players at once is a sign of urgency for a program that has a reputation for consistent growth. It shows how much the Iowa staff believes in this group’s potential. “Iowa football transfers” have never been more literal, and that is the clear message.
Fans of the Hawkeye now have a lot of new names and numbers to remember. When these 16 new Hawkeyes take the field on game day, it will be interesting to see who has the biggest impact.
