Here Comes the 2025 Football Season A look at Media Day and Kid's Day as we approach opening day of the 2025 Iowa Hawkeyes football season

Going into his 27th year, head coach Kirk Ferentz addresses the media about the make-up of his football program from Kinnick Stadium.

Iowa Football Media Day

We are now into year two of offensive coordinator Tim Lester's offense, and with the addition of 2024 Walter Payton award winning quarterback Mark Gronowski from the transfer portal, expectations are certain to be heightened.

QB Mark Gronowski assumes to be the starter going into the 2025 season for the Hawkeyes

The QB position is the most enticing position for Hawkeye fans to get to know for the 2025 season. Tim Lester has completely overhauled the room with Jackson Stratton the only returnee. Ryan Fitzgerald (son of former Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald) and Jimmy Sullivan are the only incoming freshman.

The Hawkeyes also utilized the transfer portal to bring in new QBs Jeremy Hecklinski (Wake Forest) and Hank Brown (Auburn) to join returning quarterback Jackson Stratton.

Incoming freshman QB Jimmy Sullivan

(L to R) Jackson Stratton, Jeremy Hecklinski, Mark Gronowski, Jimmy Sullivan, Ryan Fitzgerald

OC Tim Lester is now in year two of his tenure and the installation of the Shanahan West Coast offense.

The next most intriguing room for Hawkeye fans is probably the wide receiver corps. Again, the expectations are rising. OC Tim Lester and WR coach Jon Budmayr have worked hard finding good athletes to fill out the position group. Returnees include Jacob Gill, Dayton Howard, Jarriett Buie, Seth Anderson, Reece Vander Zee, and Kaden Wetjen. New to the Hawkeyes include transfer Sam Philips and incoming freshman Apollo Payne and Terrence Smith.

Jacob Gill returns for his final year with the Hawkeyes as the team leader at the position from the 2024 season

Redshirt freshman KJ Parker is arguably the most intriguing player at the position for the Hawkeyes. Much has been reported about his playmaking abilities as a scout team member in 2024 and he exudes tremendous confidence and moxie when you meet him.

Transfer from UT-Chattanooga, Sam Philips is ready for the big stage

Wide receivers (L-R) Dayton Howard, KJ Parker, Reece Vander Zee, Jarriett Buie

Jet Award winner Kaden Wetjen, given to the nation's top kick returner, embarks on his final year of eligibility as the primary kick return man. It will be interesting to see what Tim Lester has in store for Wetjen in the passing game to exploit his speed.

Offensive line coach George Barnett is optimistic as he discusses the continued maturation and ascension of his line.

Logan Jones and Gennings Dunker are the headliners of the 2025 offensive line.

Guard Beau Stephens debuted as a Hawkeye in 2021 and has since played in 30 games, starting in a majority of those. He was granted a "Comeback Player of the Year" award at the conclusion of the 2024 season.

New RB coach Omar Young joined the Hawkeye program after Ladell Betts took the path to the NFL during the off season. Young comes to the Hawkeyes from the New England Patriots and loves what he sees in his running backs position group.

Likely the deepest position on the 2025 squad belongs to the running backs. It will be very interesting to see how Tim Lester splits the workload. With the massive hole to fill in Kaleb Johnson's exit to the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers, it may likely take a few games to find the workhorse. However, that may not be needed as there is solid experience returning with Kamari Moulton and Jaziun Patterson. Xavier Williams might have been the star of spring ball, but the most intriguing prospect is incoming Tamp, FL freshman Nathan McNeil. Redshirt freshman Brevin Doll is also a physically gifted, home grown athlete from Adel, Iowa who should figure to be in the mix somewhere.

From L to Right (kneeling): Xavier Williams, Kamari Moulton, Jaziun "Jaz" Patterson. From L to R (standing): Brevin Doll, Terrell Washington, Jr., Nathan McNeil

True freshman Nathan McNeil has all the right moves running and catching the football. It's going to be very difficult to keep him off the field.

Kamari Moulton and Seth Anderson having a laugh

TE Addison Ostrenga figures to be one of the main targets of the offense and the next great tight end for the Hawkeyes.

Hawkeye defensive backs from L to R: Shahid Barros, Zach Lutmer, Xavier Nwankpa, Jaxon Rexroth, TJ Hall, Deshaun Lee, Koen Entringer, Jaylen Watson, Rashad Godfrey, O'lontae Dean, Alex Mota

On the defensive side for the Hawkeyes in 2025, gone are seasoned veterans Jermari Harris, Sebastian Castro, Quinn Schulte, Nick Jackson, Jay Higgins, Yahya Black, and Deontae Craig.

With the defensive backfield, there are some returning players who have solid game experience in Deshaun Lee and TJ Hall, for example.

Deshaun Lee seems poised for a breakout year

The biggest question mark for the defense is undoubtedly centered on the linebackers. Now, it is Karson Sharar and Jaden Harrell's time to shine. They've been around the program a long time developing behind Higgins and Jackson. Jayden Montgomery, Zach Twedt, and Nolan DeLong will also be in the rotation, as well as a couple of talented redshirt freshmen in Cam Buffiington and Preston Reis.

Karson Sharar and Jaden Harrill

LB Nolan DeLong

Aaron Graves anchors an experienced defensive line

Ethan Hurkett, Aaron Graves, and Max Llewellyn all return for the Hawkeyes on the defensive line. Jeremiah Pittman, Brian Allen, Jr., also return with game experience. Newcomers include transfers Bryce Hawthorne (96), Jonah Pace (91) and freshman Iose Epenesa (97).

The kicking game belongs to long snapper Ike Speltz, punter Rhys Dakin, and kicker Drew Stevens

Kid's Day at Kinnick

General Manager Tyler Barnes and coach Kirk Ferentz wave to the Stead Family Children's Hospital.

Former Hawkeye and NFL veteran Desmond King was back at Kinnick Stadium to help with some coaching duties during the fall camp.

Gennings Dunker providing pass protection against Kenneth Merriweather as QB Mark Gronowski steps up into the pocket

RB Brevin Doll makes a catch out of the backfield...

...and pays the price from the hit from Koen Entringer

C Logan Jones

OL Leighton Jones

WR KJ Parker hauls in a pass

LB Karson Sharar credited for a sack on Gronowski

RB Nathan McNeil had an impressive Kid's Day practice showing quickness, agility, elusiveness and good hands when catching out of the backfield.

WR Sam Philips makes a catch and bursts upfield

Ball is carried by RB Xavier Williams

Reece Vander Zee hauls in a touchdown

Bad exchange wrapped up by Sharar

Hank Brown makes a throw to Seth Washington

Seth Washington completes the catch

QB Mark Gronowski scrambles for positive yardage

WR Jarriett Buie makes a tough catch, covered by Jaylen Watson

Brevin Doll can tote the rock

Merrieweather, Gronowski, Iose Epenesa, Kale Krogh pictured

Another Gronowski to Anderson connection

Des King offers advice to Jaylen Watson

Karson Sharar breaks up a pass intended for TE Addison Ostrenga

Kaden Wetjen hauls in a deep ball from Hank Brown. He was erroneously ruled out of bounds, but if reviewed the play would have been awarded to the Hawkeyes.

Qb Jeremy Hecklinski looks to the end zone

Hecklinski's pass intended for KJ Parker, broken up by Alex Mota

Kyler Gerardy with the excellent coverage on Dayton Howard

Gronowski launches a perfect deep ball while the pressure comes from Brian Allen, Jr.

Reece Vander Zee is the recipient of the dart.

Desmond King addresses the team at the conclusion of Kid's Day practice.

CREATED BY

Dennis Scheidt

Credits:

All photos and story by Dennis Scheidt for HawkeyeReport.com of the On3 Sports network.