The Iowa Hawkeyes enter the 2025 college football season with a trio of standout players whose performances could reshape their financial futures.
Transfer receiver Tony Diaz, safety Anthony Hawkins and running back Kamari Moulton each bring distinct skills that the coaching staff believes can translate into on‑field success and off‑field earnings.
A New Era of Compensation
Diaz arrived in Iowa after a breakout year at UT Rio Grande Valley, where he amassed 881 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns, and his potential move to the Big Ten has already attracted attention from programs such as the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Hawkins, a 6‑foot‑3 safety transferred from Villanova, is celebrated for his size and ball‑disrupting instincts, qualities that Iowa’s defensive coordinator Phil Parker says could modernize the secondary.
Moulton, a veteran running back, posted a career‑high 878 rushing yards on 170 carries in 2024 and is targeting a 1,000‑yard season in 2025, a milestone that would likely trigger a notable bump in his market valuation.
Analysts tracking name, image and likeness values note that Diaz’s NIL valuation could climb sharply if he sustains his production, while Moulton’s current $385,000 estimate is expected to rise if he meets his yardage goal.
The Hawkeyes’ offensive line and quarterback development are viewed as key catalysts for Moulton’s push, and the program’s growing brand presence on platforms like On3 underscores the commercial upside for all three athletes.
With 2026 on the horizon, the combination of on‑field impact and heightened visibility positions Diaz, Hawkins and Moulton to negotiate substantially larger endorsement agreements, signaling a new chapter for college athletes’ compensation.