2026 University of Iowa Depth Chart

Iowa’s quarterback battle should tilt in Jeremy Hecklinski’s favor due to his emerging practice performance and mobility upside. The staff bypassed adding a transfer QB, signaling confidence in Hecklinski and junior Hank Brown to compete for the job. Hecklinski flashed with a late-season leap to QB2 in 2025 and even scored on a red-zone RPO run, giving him a slight edge in both dynamic ability and coaching trust. Brown, a 6’4″ Auburn transfer, offers experience and a solid arm, but his lackluster relief outing (5-of-13 with an INT vs. Indiana) dented his stock. He’s a capable fallback with prototypical size, yet his fantasy upside is capped without clear rushing value. Highly touted freshman Tradon Bessinger – a 4★ Utah product with a rocket arm – brings the highest ceiling long term. Still, Kirk Ferentz’s history says a true freshman will only see the field if veterans falter, so Bessinger slots in as a stash-worthy QB3 rather than an immediate contributor. In short, Hecklinski’s blend of practice poise and rushing bump makes him the projected QB1 (and the more fantasy-friendly option) while Brown’s pedigree secures the backup spot ahead of the talented but unseasoned Bessinger.

At running back, Kamari Moulton projects as the lead workhorse and safest fantasy bet. The 205-pound Floridian is coming off 878 yards and 5 TDs as Iowa’s 2025 rushing leader, demonstrating power between the tackles and enough burst to average 5.2 YPC in a sluggish offense. With former backs Jaziun Patterson and T. Washington Jr. departing via transfer, Moulton’s role is secure – but expect a true committee under new OC Tim Lester. Enter L.J. Phillips Jr., a dynamic transfer who led FCS in rushing (1,920 yards, 19 TDs) last year. Phillips profiles as more “lightning” to Moulton’s “thunder,” bringing breakaway speed and proven receiving chops (28 catches in 2025) that Iowa sorely lacked. While Moulton’s experience and goal-line prowess (21 career TDs) keep him atop the depth chart, Phillips should slide in as a 1B option – he’s simply too productive to ride the bench. Fantasy-wise, Moulton offers a higher floor via volume and familiarity in the system, but Phillips is a high-upside wildcard who could siphon significant touches, especially on explosive plays and third downs. Behind them, the RB3 nod goes to Xavier Williams, a bruising 220-pound back who quietly logged 245 yards and 3 TDs as a redshirt freshman. Williams’ physical running style and spring-game buzz make him a strong depth piece over younger scatbacks. He’s shown he can “run people over” and finish drives, which gives him an edge in goal-line sub packages. Redshirt freshmen Nathan McNeil and Brevin Doll remain in the wings, but barring injuries, the Moulton–Phillips tandem (with a dash of Williams in relief) should carry the fantasy load. In summary, Moulton’s proven production and all-situation usage rank him RB1, while Phillips’ electric skillset instantly plugs him in as a fantasy-relevant RB2 who could shine if given space. Williams provides insurance and a power element at RB3, though his fantasy value depends on unforeseen committee expansion.

Iowa’s receiving corps undergoes a major overhaul for 2026, with two FCS stars arriving to jolt a once-anemic pass game. Explosive sophomore Tony Diaz (UTRGV transfer) projects as the Hawkeyes’ new WR1 after an FCS Freshman All-American campaign. Diaz erupted for 68 receptions, 875 yards and 11 TDs last season, showcasing the kind of speed and route polish that immediately translate into a featured slot role. He’s a savvy playmaker who can separate underneath and turn short catches into big gains – valuable traits for PPR leagues and a safety blanket for a young QB. Fellow transfer Evan James (Furman) isn’t far behind; he tallied 65 catches for 796 yards and 7 scores as a true freshman, proving himself as a polished route-runner with reliable hands. James is slightly taller than Diaz (both around 5’11”), and Iowa will likely deploy him as a Z-receiver or flanker who can work intermediate routes. These two newcomers should headline the passing attack – their combination of collegiate production and versatility gives them far higher fantasy ceilings than any holdover Hawkeye wideout. The returning Reece Vander Zee slots in as the WR3 with upside, leveraging his 6’4, 215-pound frame and downfield ability. Vander Zee was quiet in 2025 (186 yards, 1 TD), but he flashed a year prior and offers a vertical/red-zone threat that complements the smaller transfers. His challenge will be consistency – he must prove he can run the full route tree and earn targets over the newcomers. Still, his size and prior breakout game hint at a fantasy-worthy role, especially in touchdown-heavy formats.

The WR4–WR6 spots were the toughest to call, highlighting the talent vs. opportunity dilemma. Ultimately, junior Jarriett Buie earns WR4 on our projection thanks to his experience and route reliability. Buie played in all 13 games (five starts) last year, often filling in as a possession receiver, and logged 9 catches for 94 yards despite Iowa’s limited air attack. Coaches trust him to run crisp routes and be in the right spot – a “floor” trait that likely keeps him in the rotation as a chain-mover alongside the flashier imports. By contrast, redshirt sophomore Dayton Howard offers tantalizing ceiling. At 6’5″ and 215 lbs, Howard is a matchup nightmare on the boundary with the leaping ability to win jump balls. He only managed 8 receptions for 91 yards in limited action, but did haul in a touchdown and routinely drew praise in practice for his red-zone potential. If Iowa is near the goal line, don’t be surprised if Howard checks in as a fade-route specialist – a role that could make him a touchdown-dependent fantasy sleeper. We slot him WR5 for now, acknowledging that his usage might be sporadic early in the year but could spike if he develops chemistry with the QB. Rounding out the depth chart is sophomore KJ Parker (WR6), a speedy slot receiver who is the wildcard of this group. Parker had only 3 catches in spot duty as a freshman (with one going for a TD), but he was a touted recruit known for his separation quickness. The influx of Diaz and James delays Parker’s breakout, yet his dynamic speed and return skills will force Iowa to scheme him touches in four-wide sets or gadget plays. Consider him a high-upside stash in deep fantasy leagues – an injury or two ahead of him could vault Parker into relevance given his playmaking flair. In summary, Iowa’s top three wideouts should be Diaz, James, and Vander Zee in terms of target share and fantasy value, with Buie providing a steady if unspectacular floor. Howard and Parker lurk as niche contributors – one a big red-zone target, the other a bursty slot jitterbug – who could swing a fantasy matchup if they hit on a big play or two.

Tight end remains a cornerstone of Hawkeye fantasy value, and the return of Addison Ostrenga from injury solidifies the position. Ostrenga was the clear TE1 to start 2025 before an Achilles tear ended his year in Week 2. Now on track for a medical redshirt sixth season, the 6’4″, 248-pound senior should reclaim a featured role. He’s a dependable underneath target with 48 career catches and 3 TDs to his name, and more importantly, he’s “knowledgeable about the system and… consistent” – meaning he’ll rarely leave the field. Fantasy-wise, Ostrenga offers a high floor thanks to Iowa’s heavy TE usage (especially on play-action and checkdowns). Behind him, breakout freshman DJ Vonnahme emerged as a legitimate TE2 after Ostrenga went down, and we expect him to carry that momentum into 2026. Vonnahme (6’4″, 240) led the team in receiving last year with 22 catches, 288 yards and 2 TDs – a remarkable feat for a redshirt freshman tight end. He’s an athletic seam-stretcher who clearly built rapport with Iowa’s QBs, and while his snap count could dip slightly if Ostrenga is full-go, the Hawkeyes will run plenty of two-TE sets to utilize his talents. Consider Vonnahme a fantasy-relevant stash at TE2, particularly in dynasty formats, as he’s the heir apparent beyond 2026. (Notably, junior Zach Ortwerth also returns, but he profiles more as a blocking TE and emergency option; his upside is limited unless injuries strike again.) In summary, a healthy Ostrenga is the safer fantasy play – expect him to reprise the Sam LaPorta-like role as the QB’s security blanket – but Vonnahme’s receiving ability ensures he’ll remain involved enough to have matchup-dependent value. Both tight ends could see significant red-zone looks given Iowa’s trust in the position, reinforcing their importance in this depth chart.

Finally, at kicker, Iowa will be breaking in Eli Ozick as K1. After record-setter Drew Stevens graduated, the Hawkeyes snagged Ozick from North Dakota State, where he was a proven leg (and has two years of eligibility remaining). Iowa’s offense may not be explosive, but its reliance on field goals means Ozick could quietly become a top-tier fantasy kicker. The team consistently generates attempts (Stevens hit 22 FGs in 2025), so Ozick’s accuracy and range will be valuable. Given Iowa’s preference for conservative, mistake-free football, we anticipate plenty of three-point opportunities – making Ozick a potentially sneaky source of fantasy points if he can handle Kinnick Stadium’s winds. In sum, he’s the only special teams piece you need to care about here, and he inherits a spot that has produced reliable kicking numbers for years. Draft with modest confidence if your college fantasy format includes kickers.

North Dakota State enters 2026 under head coach Tim Polasek in a landmark season as the Bison make their historic transition from the FCS to FBS as a football-only member of the Mountain West Conference. The program that has won 10 of the last 15 FCS national championships faces an unprecedented roster rebuild after losing a staggering amount of talent from its 2025 championship squad. Starting quarterback Cole Payton—who graduated as the program’s career record holder in completion percentage (.702), pass efficiency (185.5), and yards per pass attempt (11.3)—declared for the 2026 NFL Draft after leading the Bison to a 12-1 record. Nathan Hayes, a senior who chose to stay specifically for the FBS transition, projects as the unquestioned starter after serving as the primary backup. Trey Drake and Preston Brown provide developmental depth in a quarterback room that must replace generational production. Polasek’s preference for developing high school recruits over portal acquisitions means the transition will rely heavily on internal player development.

The skill positions were gutted by departures at every level. At running back, the Bison lost both CharMar Brown—the 2024 Jerry Rice Award winner who rushed for 1,181 yards and 15 touchdowns before transferring to Miami—and Barika Kpeenu, who followed his dominant 1,005-yard, 20-touchdown senior campaign by declaring for the NFL Draft. Charles Ross III, DJ Scott, and Myles Mitchell will compete for carries in a backfield that must replace over 2,100 combined rushing yards. The wide receiver room suffered equally devastating losses as Bryce Lance, the first Bison receiver with multiple 1,000-yard seasons who totaled 2,157 career yards and 25 touchdowns, entered the draft alongside RaJa Nelson, a versatile weapon who posted 28 catches for 404 yards and four touchdowns in 2025. Kellen Entz, Mekhi Collins, Logan Conklin, Silas Evans III, Chris Kiel, and Cade Osterman will battle for targets in a receiving corps that needs new playmakers to emerge quickly. Finn Diggins and Luke Kokat anchor the tight end position. Drew Klein handles place-kicking duties.

For dynasty purposes, North Dakota State’s fantasy outlook in 2026 is defined almost entirely by the FCS-to-FBS transition and the magnitude of the roster losses. Nathan Hayes is a speculative quarterback add best suited for the deepest of dynasty formats—his decision to stay for the Mountain West debut signals leadership and confidence, but he has minimal starting experience and will be working with an almost entirely new supporting cast. The running back situation is essentially a blank slate after losing Brown and Kpeenu, making it nearly impossible to project a reliable fantasy contributor from the backfield. The receiver room is equally uncertain without Lance and Nelson. The Bison won’t be eligible for the Mountain West championship game or postseason play until 2028, which further limits the program’s fantasy relevance in the near term. This is a monitoring situation rather than a dynasty investment opportunity, as the 2026 roster needs to prove it can compete at the FBS level before any individual players warrant roster spots.