After a big victory, Iowa football found itself facing both sides of the transfer portal’s tendency to give programs hope one moment and force them to face harsh realities the next.
The focus in Iowa City swiftly shifted from celebration to preparation following the Hawkeyes’ thrilling 34–27 victory over No. 14 Vanderbilt. The victory capped off a fantastic performance, but it also highlighted an impending problem: the roster’s future. The coaching staff now has to replace a large amount of experience and output because over 20 seniors and graduate players may leave the program.
The transfer portal will be crucial to Iowa’s efforts to accomplish that, as has become the standard in college football. On January 2, at 12:01 a.m., the solo transfer portal window formally opened, allowing players nationwide to investigate new possibilities. Iowa has been comparatively quiet thus far, adopting a more measured approach in the early days of the window, while some programs jumped right into the portal. However, the defensive line is one area where the Hawkeyes cannot afford to do nothing.
As the team prepares for the upcoming season, there will be a significant turnover. The depth chart appears thin and inexperienced as veterans Ethan Hurkett, Aaron Graves, Jonah Pace, Max Llewellyn, and Jeremiah Pittman are all scheduled to graduate. Any program would struggle to lose so many players up front, but Iowa is particularly affected because defensive line play has long been a key component of the team’s identity. Soon after the portal opened, that situation became even more troubling.
Despite having one season of eligibility left, junior defensive end Brian Allen Jr. made the unexpected announcement that he would be using the transfer portal. Eliot Clough broke the story first, and other sources confirmed it. A defensive line that was already preparing for significant losses has suffered another setback with Allen Jr.’s departure.
Allen Jr. had mostly been a reserve since coming to Iowa City in 2022, establishing himself as a rotational defensive lineman. He played in 28 games over the course of three seasons and recorded 34 total tackles, including 3.5 sacks and five tackles for loss. Even though those figures don’t immediately stand out on the stat sheet, they show a player who was improving steadily and offering useful depth.
Allen Jr. was expected to play a bigger role the following season because so many defensive linemen were graduating. His decision to enter the portal was all the more surprising because some thought he was in line to compete for a starting spot as a senior.
The precise reason for Allen Jr.’s decision is unclear, as is frequently the case with portal moves. He might have felt pressure from the next group of talented players entering the program, or he might have been searching for a starting position. There is always competition on the defensive end at Iowa, and freshmen like Devan Kennedy and Iose Epenesa stand out as intriguing young options.
For whatever reason, Allen Jr.’s decision highlights the ambiguity that now characterizes roster construction in the contemporary college football era. Programs are forced to make adjustments when players who seem to have greater prospects decide to look for a new beginning elsewhere.
The timing is not ideal for Iowa. The Hawkeyes already have to replace a defensive line that is heavily composed of veterans, and losing a projected contributor with system experience only makes the situation more urgent. In order to stabilize the position group, the coaching staff may need to be more aggressive in the transfer portal as they now have fewer dependable options.
However, Allen Jr.’s exit serves as a reminder of how quickly things can change for athletes as well. He could have played a bigger part, waited out one more season, and completed his career in black and gold in a different era. Rather, the portal provides an opportunity to pursue quick opportunities elsewhere, even if it means abandoning possible unresolved business.
Ultimately, Iowa will never have the opportunity to witness what Allen Jr. could have developed into with an additional year in the program. His growth, his expertise, and his familiarity with the system have all vanished, adding to the numerous moving components that characterize the offseason. The Hawkeyes are now concentrating on adaptation. As Iowa prepares for the upcoming season, it must once more navigate both sides of the reality that “the portal giveth and the portal taketh.”
