Iowa football depth chart takeaways vs. Michigan State: OL appears healthy

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While the hopes of a College Football Playoff appearance have been dashed following back-to-back losses, there's still plenty for the Iowa football team to play for.

It starts on Saturday with the final home game of the 2025 season at Kinnick Stadium. A senior day matchup with the Michigan State Spartans provides a great opportunity to bounce back in the win column and send a strong senior class out the right way. But after an injury-riddled affair with USC last weekend, there were serious questions about the availability of certain key Hawkeyes for this game.

The release of the pre-Michigan State game depth chart answers some of those questions. While the official status of these players will be revealed later this week, the depth chart gave some interesting insights into which Hawkeyes might be available on Saturday. Here are the three biggest takeaways from Iowa's latest depth chart.

Offensive line appears healthy

The biggest injury concerns following the loss to USC were along the offensive line. Beau Stephens, Kade Pieper, and Gennings Dunker all left that game injured and didn't return, leaving Iowa short three starting linemen down the stretch. All three of those players are listed as starters on this week's depth chart, a good initial sign that they'll be available on Saturday.

For Stephens and Dunker, this will be the last home game of their Iowa career, so you have to imagine it would take a lot to keep them off the field against the Spartans. They both have been banged up all season, but have battled to give Iowa a lot of quality reps in the trenches. While their official status for Saturday is still in question, this is a great sign for all three linemen.

Iowa lists five running backs

For the first time all season, Iowa has listed more than three running backs on the depth chart. They chose to list all five guys who have given them significant carries in 2025. Kamari Moulton is listed as the starter, with Xavier Williams and Jaz Patterson being the main backups. Terrell Washington Jr. and Nathan McNeil, who haven't seen the field much recently, are also listed on the depth chart.

This could end up meaning nothing, but it's still noteworthy that the Hawkeyes decided to list all five backs on the depth chart. If Iowa does what it should do to 3-7 Michigan State, it wouldn't be shocking to see all of the running backs get some run on Saturday. And with all five of them available to return to the program next season, this will be a great opportunity to see that room in action at full strength.

Xaver Nwankpa is present

Hawkeye fans can breathe a sigh of relief as Nwankpa is present as a starting safety on the newest depth chart. He limped off the field against USC and was able to return to the game, albeit in considerable pain. He spoke to the media after the game about the injury and said he was battling through a lot, so it's great to see him on the depth chart. This will be the final home game for the senior safety.

Nwankpa is currently playing the best football of his career over the past four games, making splash plays left and right. On the season, he has 59 total tackles, two forced fumbles, and an interception. He and cornerback TJ Hall have been steady senior presences in that secondary all season, and it looks like they'll get to play together at Kinnick Stadium one last time.

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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football depth chart vs. Michigan State: OL appears healthy

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