Iowa’s football program is poised for a pivotal shift in its kicking game as veteran specialist Drew Stevens heads to the NFL, opening the door for a fresh talent to step onto the Hawkeyes’ turf. Coach Kirk Ferentz, who has been busy reshaping the roster through the transfer portal, identified Eli Ozick as the player who could fill the void left by Stevens’ departure.
Ozick arrives from North Dakota State, where he handled 16 of 18 field‑goal attempts and 62 of 63 extra points during the previous season. His longest field goal stretched 54 yards, a testament to both his range and his composure under pressure. The performance earned him a place on the Lou Groza Award preseason watch list, the prestigious honor that recognizes the nation’s most outstanding placekicker.
A New Era for Iowa’s Kicking Game
Ferentz’s active recruitment of Ozick was part of a broader effort to infuse the squad with proven talent from the transfer market. Alongside him, other experienced players such as Tony Diaz, L.J. Phillips Jr., Tyler Brown, Anthony Hawkins, Keith Duncan and Caleb Shudak are expected to contribute depth across the roster, creating a competitive environment that could accelerate Ozick’s adaptation to Big Ten competition.
As the 2025 season unfolds, the Hawkeyes’ coaching staff will monitor Ozick’s progress closely, knowing that a successful season could position him as the frontrunner for the Lou Groza Award and potentially end Iowa’s long drought. The excitement surrounding his arrival reflects a broader belief that the program is on the cusp of rediscovering its special‑teams identity.