Iowa’s Fresh Faces Light Up Preseason
The 2026 NFL preseason got off to an early start this week, and among the storylines is the debut of several former Iowa Hawkeyes players who have earned spots on active rosters.
The league has slated a series of games from August 13 through 15, giving fans a first look at the new talent before the regular season begins.
Week 1 will feature a handful of high‑profile matchups, including the Pittsburgh Steelers hosting the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night, where former Hawkeye Gennings Dunker and Kaden Wetjen will line up for the Steelers.
Meanwhile, Karson Sharar will be looking to make an impression for the Arizona Cardinals when they take on the Las Vegas Raiders on the same night.
The following day, Drew Stevens will suit up for the Washington Commanders in a clash with the Miami Dolphins, while a cluster of Hawkeye alumni will be on display across the weekend.
Chicago Bears fans will see Logan Jones and Hayden Large on the field when their team meets the Cleveland Browns on Saturday, and New Orleans Saints supporters can watch TJ Hall face the Jacksonville Jaguars in another Saturday contest.
The Kansas City Chiefs will also showcase two Iowa products, Ethan Hurkett and Xavier Nwankpa, as they test themselves against the Los Angeles Rams, while Aaron Graves will be part of the Baltimore Ravens’ lineup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Seattle Seahawks supporters can look forward to seeing Beau Stephens in action when his team meets the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday night.
All of these games will be carried on a mix of NFL Network, ESPN Unlimited and the streaming service NFL+, with availability varying by market.
The preseason schedule not only offers a preview of how these rookies will adapt to the professional game, but also gives Hawkeye fans a chance to follow their alma mater’s players as they chase a spot on an NFL roster.