**2026 Iowa Football Offseason and Transfer Portal Thread**

[Dr. Zaius]

It doesn’t have to be

On this team, we fight for that inch. On this team, we tear ourselves and everyone else around us to pieces for that inch. We claw with our fingernails for that inch because we know when we add up all those inches, that's going to make the fucking difference between winning and losing, between living and dying.

 

[The Incredible Hawk]

On this team, we fight for that inch. On this team, we tear ourselves and everyone else around us to pieces for that inch. We claw with our fingernails for that inch because we know when we add up all those inches, that's going to make the fucking difference between winning and losing, between living and dying.

Would also be nice to have Willie Beamen.

 

[Uff Da]

Is there a list of players that have exhausted eligibility? working on my projected 2 deeps for next year

Is it around 28?

 

[2HawkFans]

Is there a list of players that have exhausted eligibility? working on my projected 2 deeps for next year

Is it around 28?

I'm pretty sure somewhere here it was mentioned 27. Only reason I recall that number is that none were sitting out according to that post/linked tweet.

 

[Gushawk]

I’m glad Kirk Ferentz’ culture isn’t likely to be entirely dependent on his continued presence.

 

[Uff Da]

I’m glad Kirk Ferentz’ culture isn’t likely to be entirely dependent on his continued presence.

Forever. Loyal. True overrides culture except when it doesn't

It will be interesting to see player movement when Kirk is done. Maybe the transfer portal will look different at that point

 

[Stu Beagle]

If you’re a freshman committing to Iowa, you should know it’s unlikely he’s there by the time you graduate

 

[douglasbader]

If you’re a freshman committing to Iowa, you should know it’s unlikely he’s there by the time you graduate

Maybe, sounds like his plan is 30 years now.

 

[eclone]

If you’re a freshman committing to Iowa, you should know it’s unlikely he’s there by the time you graduate

I'm sure opposing coaches have been using the line on recruits for at least 10 years now, some day someone will be right.

 

[Truant]

I'm sure opposing coaches have been using the line on recruits for at least 10 years now, some day someone will be right.

With the ease in which kids can leave a program now, I think that recruiting tactic has less effectiveness. If the coach retires they move on to somewhere else. No big deal.

 

[Herbie2]

If you’re a freshman committing to Iowa, you should know it’s unlikely he’s there by the time you graduate

it's more likely Kirk is still there than 75% of this incoming classmates.

 

[Stu Beagle]

Wouldn’t be shocking to see Kirk still here in 3 years and probably half the conference has different coaches

 

[YugoslavianMountainHound]

Lots of positive momentum for next year.

Obviously, we need to hire a new special teams coordinator. Almost certainly hitting the portal for a Kicker. And then DL.

TOS is saying there may be portal departures at TE, DE, and WR; we may actually grab a portal TE; and we may need a new starting punter too.

Buffington will push to start at LB. No shortage of good young recruits there. This year was an anomaly hopefully.

 

[CurdMan]

Lots of positive momentum for next year.

Obviously, we need to hire a new special teams coordinator. Almost certainly hitting the portal for a Kicker. And then DL.

TOS is saying there may be portal departures at TE, DE, and WR; we may actually grab a portal TE; and we may need a new starting punter too.

Buffington will push to start at LB. No shortage of good young recruits there. This year was an anomaly hopefully.

At those positions you mentioned for departures, just can’t lose Vonnahme, Epenesa, Merriweather, or VanderZee.

 

[CamelTones]

How many scholarship receivers are left after guys that are seniors? Vander Zee, Parker, Howard and Smith?

I would assume Burt is gone at TE. Would be surprised if Woods doesn’t follow his dad. They don’t have a ton of depth at DE returning. Allen, Merriweather, Epenesa, Anderson and Campbell?

Is Dakin following Woods?

 

[douglasbader]

Hey pothead @YugoslavianMountainHound , fix the thread title you fool.

 

[douglasbader]

How many scholarship receivers are left after guys that are seniors? Vander Zee, Parker, Howard and Smith?

I would assume Burt is gone at TE. Would be surprised if Woods doesn’t follow his dad. They don’t have a ton of depth at DE returning. Allen, Merriweather, Epenesa, Anderson and Campbell?

Is Dakin following Woods?

Iowa media (and Woods himself) already said that Mason Woods is staying at Iowa. They also said Dakin isn't going anywhere. I think Fitzgerald is even staying.

 

[YugoslavianMountainHound]

Hey pothead @YugoslavianMountainHound , fix the thread title you fool.

what did I fuck up?

 

[ddevries]

At those positions you mentioned for departures, just can’t lose Vonnahme, Epenesa, Merriweather, or VanderZee.

What ceiling should I have in mind so far for Epenesa? Seems like not much better than Llewelyn.

 

[CurdMan]

Honestly, there have been so few guys who have successfully transferred away from KF over the years that it really isn’t worth worrying about. No better NFL training grounds than Iowa City.

 

[douglasbader]

what did I fuck up?

THE FUCKING YEAR IS 2026, NOT 2025!!!!!!!!!

 

[YugoslavianMountainHound]

DE is probably Chimeke. People are saying Buie at WR.

At TE considering Superstar and Meyer are already top two and still So/RS Fr next year, anyone else is a legitimate candidate and expendable. Some rumblings we might go after Burkle.

 

[CurdMan]

What ceiling should I have in mind so far for Epenesa? Seems like not much better than Llewelyn.

This a joke?

 

[douglasbader]

What ceiling should I have in mind so far for Epenesa? Seems like not much better than Llewelyn.

Lol, wut?

 

[YugoslavianMountainHound]

If only there were a really obvious upside comp for Iose Epenesa.

 

[CurdMan]

@ddevries You seem like a good dude. But holy fuck I’ve noticed you have some horrible takes

 

[douglasbader]

Iowa is set at TE. Vonnahme is the next superstar and will an early entry candidate as a RS Sophomore next year. Ostrenga is damn good as well and will be back strong next year with nearly a full year to rehab. Meyer is also a future stud and they have others coming in. I would be shocked if they wasted portal time and money on anyone else.

 

[Hawk&Balls]

Have an average QB and we're fine.

 

[CamelTones]

Going after a TE doesn’t make sense. I could see Ostrenga maybe going into the portal with what Iowa has coming back.

I completely forgot about Buie. He wasn’t on the injured list today when he has been all year so I assume like Washington he’s already gone they just haven’t announced it yet

 

[Hawk&Balls]

I can't imagine ostrenga making a big deal about coming back only to go somewhere else. We'll be perfectly fine with two good tight ends.

 

[The Dad]

Honestly, there have been so few guys who have successfully transferred away from KF over the years that it really isn’t worth worrying about. No better NFL training grounds than Iowa City.

Unless you’re a WR or QB.

 

[douglasbader]

Going after a TE doesn’t make sense. I could see Ostrenga maybe going into the portal with what Iowa has coming back.

I completely forgot about Buie. He wasn’t on the injured list today when he has been all year so I assume like Washington he’s already gone they just haven’t announced it yet

Ostrenga all in and back as well. Buie is the one gone along with Washington.

As far as TE, the one I would think might portal out is Oertwerth. He's firmly stuck in 4th position there at best in 2026. He could likely transfer and get some good money and a starting job somewhere else.

 

[The Dad]

Iowa is set at TE. Vonnahme is the next superstar and will an early entry candidate as a RS Sophomore next year. Ostrenga is damn good as well and will be back strong next year with nearly a full year to rehab. Meyer is also a future stud and they have others coming in. I would be shocked if they wasted portal time and money on anyone else.

Woods should consider a move to LB. The kid can run.

 

[BVHawk95]

People have talked about Buie all year long since some think he's pulling a Keagan Johnson, but so far it's just been speculation.

Wouldn't be surprised to see one of Ortwerth or Ostrenga leave, probably the former. He's going to be buried by guys younger than him.

I know we do this every year, but I can't imagine every single RB staying. Right now there's speculation that one of McNeil, Moulton, or Doll could leave.

 

[douglasbader]

People have talked about Buie all year long since some think he's pulling a Keagan Johnson, but so far it's just been speculation.

Wouldn't be surprised to see one of Ortwerth or Ostrenga leave, probably the former. He's going to be buried by guys younger than him.

I know we do this every year, but I can't imagine every single RB staying. Right now there's speculation that one of McNeil, Moulton, or Doll could leave.

Moulton is the starter, McNeil is going to get big carries next year and Doll is a die-hard local kid. I would be shocked if they leave, the most likely one outside of Washington Jr. who is already confirmed would be Jizz Patterson. He's good and a senior and could be a starter somewhere else. He seems super loyal though, so he might not care.

 

[BVHawk95]

Moulton is the starter, McNeil is going to get big carries next year and Doll is a die-hard local kid. I would be shocked if they leave, the most likely one outside of Washington Jr. who is already confirmed would be Jizz Patterson. He's good and a senior and could be a starter somewhere else. He seems super loyal though, so he might not care.

I don't disagree with any of that, but that's the speculation right now. Some of it was fueled by Moulton talking about the RBs coach.

Jazz seems the most likely to me as well. He's decent, but he just doesn't do anything better than any of the other backs.

I can see them trying Doll at WR to get him on the field if he can't break through. Dude has wheels.

 

[douglasbader]

I don't disagree with any of that, but that's the speculation right now. Some of it was fueled by Moulton talking about the RBs coach.

Jazz seems the most likely to me as well. He's decent, but he just doesn't do anything better than any of the other backs.

I can see them trying Doll at WR to get him on the field if he can't break through. Dude has wheels.

Thankfully the one position I never really worry about at Iowa is RB (outside of the AIRBHG fluke). They always seem to have enough reliable guys to play and win.

Moulton is good and reliable, but he lacks any speed and another RB might turn his carries this year into TD's.

 

[BBK]

Any good young croots coming in to fill some of our holes on defense?

 

[Hawk&Balls]

Lots of good young LBers

 

[Fletch]

Any good young croots coming in to fill some of our holes on defense?

 

[BBK]

Ol Pil Pharker will have to coach them new croots up

 

[Fair and Balanced]

What ceiling should I have in mind so far for Epenesa? Seems like not much better than Llewelyn.

I heard he’s unblockable

 

[The Full Monte]

Iowa is set at TE. Vonnahme is the next superstar and will an early entry candidate as a RS Sophomore next year. Ostrenga is damn good as well and will be back strong next year with nearly a full year to rehab. Meyer is also a future stud and they have others coming in. I would be shocked if they wasted portal time and money on anyone else.

I think Burkle was known as a very good blocker. Maybe more of a Large replacement but only if he wants to come here for free. F throwing money at it

 

[The Full Monte]

I don't disagree with any of that, but that's the speculation right now. Some of it was fueled by Moulton talking about the RBs coach.

Jazz seems the most likely to me as well. He's decent, but he just doesn't do anything better than any of the other backs.

I can see them trying Doll at WR to get him on the field if he can't break through. Dude has wheels.

I would love to retain Jazz…but he’s the 3rd best so I wouldn’t blame him if he wanted to transfer for an opportunity for a bigger role

 

[Rodney Farva]

I think Burkle was known as a very good blocker. Maybe more of a Large replacement but only if he wants to come here for free. F throwing money at it

Burkle is going to PSU

 

[CamelTones]

I just fast forwarded to the portal talk on Kakerts post game podcast. He said there’s some mutual interest with some ISU players at positions of need and did say keep an eye on adding a TE.

 

[douglasbader]

That would be wild.

 

[BVHawk95]

I heard he’s unblockable

He was in the game late when Llewelyn and Hurkett were gassed

 

[Fair and Balanced]

He was in the game late when Llewelyn and Hurkett were gassed

Did he get blocked?

 

[douglasbader]

Did he get blocked?

Nope.