The transfer portal is absolute chaos. Honestly, it’s basically the Wild West with more NIL money and fewer cowboy hats. If you’ve been following the iowa football transfer portal news lately, you know exactly what I’m talking about. One minute you’re celebrating a ReliaQuest Bowl win over Vanderbilt, and the next, you’re staring at your phone in disbelief because a team captain just walked out the door.
That’s the reality in Iowa City right now.
Kirk Ferentz is 70 years old. He’s seen everything. But even he’s getting tested by this new era where a verbal commitment during bowl week means about as much as a "low calorie" label on a deep-fried Snickers at the state fair. The departure of safety Koen Entringer to Louisville was a massive gut punch. It wasn't just losing a starter; it was losing a guy who had literally just told the media he was staying.
But here’s the thing: Iowa isn't just sitting around feeling sorry for itself. They’re executing a very specific, somewhat controversial strategy that is either going to be a masterclass in talent evaluation or a very loud cautionary tale.
The FCS Invasion: Strategy or Necessity?
If you look at the names coming in through the iowa football transfer portal, you’ll notice a pattern. It’s not a list of former five-stars from Alabama or Ohio State who couldn't find playing time. Instead, it looks like a "Who’s Who" of the FCS All-American list.
We’re talking about guys like Kahmari Brown from Elon. The dude had 16.5 sacks over two seasons. That is insane production, regardless of what level you’re playing at. Then you’ve got L.J. Phillips Jr., a running back from South Dakota who put up over 1,900 yards and 19 touchdowns.
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Why go this route?
Basically, Ferentz and his staff are betting on "culture fit" over "star power." They want guys who are hungry for a bigger stage, not guys who are looking for the highest bidder. It worked with Mark Gronowski last year. He came from South Dakota State and ended up setting program records for rushing yards and touchdowns by a quarterback.
- Kahmari Brown (Elon): A pass-rushing specialist with the speed of a DB and the frame of a linebacker.
- Evan James (Furman): A wide receiver who caught 65 passes as a true freshman. Iowa desperately needs someone who can actually create separation.
- Anthony Hawkins (Villanova): A 6-foot-3 safety who needs to help fill the massive void left by Entringer and Xavier Nwankpa’s departure for the NFL.
Losing Koen Entringer and the Safety Shuffle
You can't talk about the iowa football transfer portal without talking about the holes. The secondary is looking... thin.
Losing Entringer hurts because he was the "field general" type. He knew the system. Now, Phil Parker (who is still arguably the best defensive coordinator in the country, don't @ me) has to integrate new faces like Tyler Brown from James Madison and the aforementioned Anthony Hawkins.
It’s risky.
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Iowa’s defense relies on precision and being in the right spot at the right time. You can’t just plug and play a new safety and expect the same results. There’s a learning curve, and in the Big Ten, that curve is usually a brick wall.
Why the Defensive Line is the Real Question Mark
While everyone is focused on the secondary, the real battle is in the trenches. Iowa lost Max Llewellyn, Aaron Graves, and Ethan Hurkett to graduation. That’s a whole lot of experience walking out the door.
The portal additions of Brice Stevenson (Holy Cross) and Lance Ingold (Northern Illinois) are fascinating. Ingold is 6-foot-7. He’s got that "Lukas Van Ness" build—long, lean, and developmental. Ferentz loves these guys. He’d rather take a guy with a high ceiling and a blue-collar work ethic than a "refined" Power 4 transfer who might have an ego.
Iowa Football Transfer Portal: The Current 2026 Tracker
As of mid-January, the Hawkeyes have been surprisingly busy. They’ve already landed about 11 commitments. That’s a high number for a program that usually treats the portal like a spicy pepper—something to be used sparingly and with great caution.
| Position | Player | Previous School |
|---|---|---|
| RB | L.J. Phillips Jr. | South Dakota |
| WR | Evan James | Furman |
| DL | Kahmari Brown | Elon |
| K | Eli Ozick | North Dakota State |
| DB | Anthony Hawkins | Villanova |
| DL | Brice Stevenson | Holy Cross |
| EDGE | Lance Ingold | Northern Illinois |
It’s clear the staff identified three "emergency" areas: the defensive line, the secondary, and wide receiver. Tony Diaz (UTRGV) and Evan James are the names to watch on offense. If they can't provide a vertical threat, it won't matter how many yards L.J. Phillips Jr. grinds out on the ground.
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Is This Enough to Keep Up?
There’s a segment of the fan base that is, frankly, annoyed. They see Indiana or Oregon bringing in high-profile Power 4 names and wonder why Iowa is shopping at the FCS "boutique" instead.
It’s a fair point.
The gap between the FCS and the Big Ten is real. The speed of the game is different. The strength of the offensive lines is different. But Iowa has a track record. They’ve proven they can take "overlooked" talent and turn it into NFL Sunday starters.
The real test for the iowa football transfer portal strategy will be the first three weeks of the 2026 season. If the defense looks disjointed and the new receivers are dropping balls, the "culture fit" argument is going to lose a lot of steam very quickly.
Next Steps for Hawkeye Fans:
Keep a very close eye on the January 16th deadline. That’s when the window officially slams shut. If Iowa can snag one more veteran interior defensive lineman or a proven "CASH" hybrid, this class moves from "solid" to "great." You should also watch the spring practice reports—specifically regarding how quickly Anthony Hawkins and Tyler Brown pick up Phil Parker's complex coverage schemes.