Iowa’s linebacker unit is entering the 2026 season with a renewed sense of purpose, aiming to replace the production lost when Jack Campbell and Jay Higgins departed after a standout 2025 campaign.
Depth and competition
Coach Seth Wallace, who has guided the group for 13 years, says the current room represents the most depth and competition he has ever seen, a statement that underscores the aggressive recruiting and player development efforts underway.
Jayden Montgomery and Cam Buffington are slated to inherit the starting roles, carrying the experience of a season’s worth of snaps while being joined by a cadre of rising prospects.
Among those prospects, Landyn Van Kekerix brings a wealth of special‑teams experience and a track record of traveling with the squad, while Preston Ries, Nolan DeLong and Derek Weisskopf have each demonstrated consistent performance on the field and special teams throughout their careers at Iowa.
Karson Sharar and Jaden Harrell contributed on defense but did not emerge as standout figures, leaving the bulk of the workload to the newcomers and the established returnees.
Wallace emphasized that the linebacker room comprises 13 players who mesh well together, a cohesion that could prove vital as Iowa introduces a brand‑new defensive line for the upcoming season.
Despite some fan apprehension about the inexperience of the group, the coaching staff remains confident that the increased competition for playing time will elevate the unit’s overall performance and help the defense stay aggressive against opposing offenses.