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Iowa football's annual media day is tomorrow, which means we're getting very, very close to the 2026 campaign. 

Media day is easily one of my favorite days of the year. Not only can me and the rest of the local Iowa media get plenty of content to help with our previews for the upcoming season, it's just a great way to get to know these players and ask fun questions that wouldn't be appropriate for an in-season Tuesday media availability. 

This will be my third Iowa media day and my first with HawkeyeRoundtable.com. I'm excited to bring you all of the insight that we'll receive on Friday afternoon, but we have to get there first. 

Every player on this roster is always a joy to chat with, but here are five that I'm really looking forward to hearing from tomorrow (these aren't in any particular order). 

L.J. Phillips Jr. 

Phillips missed the open spring practice due to an injury, so all of us are anxious to see what he can do during Saturday's Kid's Day scrimmage. 

He was available during one of our July media availabilities, but I wasn't able to make my way over to him because I was listening to Tony Diaz's road to becoming a Hawkeye. 

Diaz is generating plenty of hype at wide receiver after a promising season at UTRGV, but Phillips may be the most-anticipated transfer of the bunch. The fourth-year running back didn't see regular playing time for South Dakota until last season, but he responded by rushing for an FCS-best 1,920 yards and 19 touchdowns. 

Phillips possesses a rare combination of both strength and speed, and his skillset should pair well in a talented running back room that already has Kamari Moulton, Nathan McNeil, and Xavier Williams in it. 

I would love to hear how Phillips has fit in with this group during summer workouts, how he feels about sharing reps with other running backs, and what he's learned from new running backs coach Jay Norvell. 

Eli Ozick 

Ozick is one of several FCS players the Hawkeyes landed in the transfer portal, and Iowa is counting on him to produce this year. The fourth-year placekicker had a stellar three-year run at North Dakota State, but now faces the difficult task of taking over for longtime starter Drew Stevens. 

Ozick may not quite have the powerful leg that Stevens had, but it's pretty close. He was booting good kicks from 50+ yards away during the open spring practice, and it seems like he'll be a very important piece for a special teams unit with so many unknowns right now. 

We all know Ozick can kick, but how will he handle the pressure of kicking for a Big Ten football team? How will he adjust to the cold weather late in the season (NDSU played in a dome)? 

Jeremy Hecklinski & Hank Brown 

I highly doubt Kirk Ferentz will announce his starting quarterback during his press conference. If he does, then I guess that will be the day's main headline, but again, I would give the chances of that happening at roughly 10%. 

Whether we hear who wins the quarterback race or not, it's important to get the perspective on it from both Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski. 

What have they learned about themselves during this process? How do they plan to be involved with the team if they don't win the job? 

Iose Epenesa 

There's another Epenesa in the Black and Gold, folks. Iose has earned just as much hype as his brother, A.J., did when he arrived on campus back in 2017. Though Epenesa played in four games and recorded just one tackle, he possesses every Epenesa family trait that Hawkeye fans have grown accustomed to – great size and powerful strength. 

Iowa's defensive line has a lot of moving parts this year, but you better believe the Hawkeyes are leaning on Epenesa's five-star status and raw talent to keep their defensive line successful in 2026. 

How has Epenesa managed the high expectations of being a five star and legacy recruit? What advice has he learned from A.J.? 

You Can Win FREE Tickets To Iowa's Season Opener! 

HawkeyeRoundtable is giving away TWO tickets to Iowa's season opener against Northern Illinois on Sept. 5! 

This is easily the biggest giveaway we've ever done on this site, and it's a great opportunity for two lucky fans to experience the joy of attending a Hawkeye football game at Kinnick Stadium. 

Click here to automatically become a member to enter the contest! Additional contest details can be found in our community section, too! 

HawkeyeRoundtable publisher Brad Schultz has covered the Iowa Hawkeyes since 2023. To send him story ideas, scoops, or criticize his writing, reach him at bradschultz@roundtable.io

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