Iowa Football Earning Respect in Preseason Honors Roundup

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Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Zach Lutmer (6) intercepts a pass meant for Minnesota Golden Gophers tight end Drew Biber (87) O
Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Zach Lutmer (6) intercepts a pass meant for Minnesota Golden Gophers tight end Drew Biber (87) Oct. 25, 2025 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The Iowa Hawkeyes may be a team-first program, which has led to immense success during the tenure of head coach Kirk Ferentz, but make no mistake about it, this team has star power.

Ahead of the 2026 season, Iowa is gaining some respect across the board with the recognition flowing in from some of the biggest preseason watchlists for highly-touted awards.

The honors show the anticipation surrounding this team and some of its stars.

Iowa football is showing out on preseason watchlists

The Hawkeyes have stars on both sides of the ball. As expected, this team is led by offensive linemen, tight ends, and defensive talent, which is the same recipe that has turned Iowa into one of the most stable and consistent programs in the country.

Kade Pieper, OL

The honors started for this team when Kade Pieper earned Big Ten Preseason Honors. He was the only offensive lineman to be named to the list, which speaks volumes.

Pieper was also named to the Outland Trophy watch list, which goes to college football's best interior lineman, and the Rimington Trophy watch list, which goes to the nation's top center.

DJ Vonnahme, TE

Entering 2026 with high expectations for Iowa's offense is tight end DJ Vonnahme. After a strong 2025, Vonnahme is next in line to join Iowa's lineage of tight ends.

He was named to the John Mackey Award watch list, which is given to college football's top tight end.

Zach Lutmer, DB

No watch list on defense would be complete without an Iowa Hawkeye, and that is where Iowa's next star in the secondary, Zach Lutmer, enters the picture.

Lutmer was named to the Bronco Nagurski Trophy watch list, an award given to college football's best defensive player each year.

Eli Ozick, Kicker

Joining the party for Iowa is Eli Ozick, Iowa's new kicker, who came over to the Hawkeyes from North Dakota State and should be a big part of this team's success, given how it relies on kickers to convert field goals.

Ozick was named to the Lou Groza Award watch list, which goes to college football's best kicker annually.

Trevor Lauck, OL

The production line of talented offensive linemen from Iowa continues with Trevor Lauck, Kade Pieper's comrade and a big reason Iowa should run the ball well this year.

Lauck joins Pieper on the Outland Trophy watch list for the nation's best offensive lineman.

Which Iowa Hawkeye has the best chance to win an award?

Could the Hawkeyes repeat on one of these awards? I think it's their best chance.

Last year, Logan Jones took home the Rimington Trophy as college football's top center. Kade Pieper, a talent with legitimate NFL first-round buzz, is already regarded as the nation's top center by some.

If he can continue to perform at the level that he has, he has as good a shot as any center in America to win this award and become Iowa's third Rimington Trophy winner, alongside Jones and Tyler Linderbaum.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/iowa as Iowa Football Earning Respect in Preseason Honors Roundup.

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