Iowa football LB named to Wuerffel Trophy watch list

As Iowa football's 2026 season approaches, fifth-year linebacker Jayden Montgomery has been named to the 2026 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy preseason watch list, per the Wuerffel Foundation's Tuesday announcement.

The 5-foot-11, 227-pounder saw action in all 13 games last season, including seven starts at linebacker for the Hawkeyes. Montgomery recorded 44 tackles, two pass breakups and one tackle for loss. The Suamico, Wis., native was named to Iowa's 2026 Player Council.

Making an impact on and off the field 💪@JaydenMontgo02 ➡️ @WuerffelTrophy Watch List 🏆 pic.twitter.com/NVY4PDuBs4

— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) August 11, 2026

Off the field, Montgomery has logged extensive community service hours with the Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, Safe Haven Animal Shelter, Make-A-Wish, Day of Caring, and the CommUnity Crisis Services & Food Bank.

Meanwhile in the classroom, Montgomery is a six-time Dean's List honoree, a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, a 2025 CSC Academic All-District honoree, and a two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar (2024, 2025).

Finalists and the recipient will be selected by a national voting committee alongside a fan voting component, with the winner announced on Dec. 11.

Now in its 22nd season, the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy is college football’s premier award for community service. The trophy is named after Danny Wuerffel, the 1996 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from Florida who parlayed his success on the football field into a lifetime of service and humanitarianism.

The 2026 recipient and finalists will be invited to join Danny Wuerffel in New York City for the Heisman Trophy festivities.

Montgomery and the Hawkeyes open the 2026 season on Sept. 5 against Northern Illinois at Kinnick Stadium, with kickoff set for 3:15 p.m. CT and the game airing on the Big Ten Network.

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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football LB named to Wuerffel Trophy watch list