
Iowa Hawkeyes Gear for a Crucial 2026 Season
The Hawkeyes face major personnel losses but retain core talent and a tradition of resilience, setting the stage for a pivotal year in the Big Ten.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning LeVar Woods across Football.

The Hawkeyes face major personnel losses but retain core talent and a tradition of resilience, setting the stage for a pivotal year in the Big Ten.
Ryan Fitzgerald opted to remain with the Iowa Hawkeyes rather than follow his father Pat to Michigan State, highlighting the strong connections he has forged with his quarterback room and the program’s atmosphere.
The University of Iowa's special teams unit welcomes Australian punter Boston Everitt and Iowa native Tanner Philpott, each bringing distinct backgrounds and ambitions to replace iconic predecessors.

A speculative 2026 matchup between the Big Ten and SEC reveals contrasting strengths, from the SEC’s depth to the Big Ten’s balanced play, as coaches and analysts dissect imagined games and their implications.

Michigan State’s 2026 coaching staff, led by Pat Fitzgerald and bolstered by veteran assistants, reflects a deliberate return to a Midwestern football philosophy while navigating NCAA’s unlimited coach rule.
LeVar Woods, the new special teams coordinator at Michigan State, is rebuilding the unit through versatile player development, strategic portal additions, and a championship‑level approach endorsed by coach Pat Fitzgerald.

The Iowa Hawkeyes open the 2026 campaign ranked No. 22 in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll, but a wave of departures from the special‑teams unit has sparked a rebuilding effort led by new coordinator Chris Polizzi and a trio of fresh specialists.
As the Spartans open against Toledo on September 4, new faces and strategic shifts promise to reshape the team's offensive and defensive identity.

Pat Fitzgerald, celebrated for his success at Northwestern, is now the head coach of Michigan State, bringing his Big Ten expertise to East Lansing. The program is gearing up for a competitive 2026 campaign that includes key returning players, a wave of transfers, and a challenging schedule.

The Hawkeyes enter the 2026 campaign with a No. 22 preseason ranking, reflecting both confidence in head coach Kirk Ferentz and the hurdles posed by significant personnel losses and a revamped special‑teams staff.

Head coach Kirk Ferentz enters his 28th year as Iowa’s head coach, supported by a largely unchanged staff that includes offensive coordinator Tim Lester, defensive coordinator Phil Parker, and new special teams coordinator Chris Polizzi.
Class of 2028 offensive lineman James Barnett pledged to the Iowa Hawkeyes on July 31, joining a pipeline of staff descendants and adding depth to a recruiting class that already includes defensive back Dwayle Smith.
Class of 2028 recruit James Barnett, a three‑star prospect from Iowa City West High School, has pledged to Iowa football, adding depth to a line that captured the Joe Moore Award last season.

LeVar Woods left Iowa to become Michigan State's assistant head coach and special‑teams coordinator. Kirk Ferentz praised Woods' contributions and expressed confidence in new coordinator Chris Polizzi.
Coach Kirk Ferentz discusses the evolving quarterback race, the potential of the secondary and linebackers, and the challenges facing the defensive line and special teams.
Ferentz discusses the quarterback duel between Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski, the potential extension of the race into the season, and the challenges facing the defensive line, while highlighting the promise of the secondary, linebackers, and special teams.
A deep dive into Iowa's 2026 freshman class, spotlighting standout recruits and their potential impact.
From four‑star defensive back Marcello Vitti to Australian punter Boston Everitt, Iowa's 2026 newcomers are poised to reshape the team's dynamics.

Michigan State’s special teams, long plagued by inconsistency, are poised for a turnaround with the arrival of transfer punter Rhys Dakin, a three‑year veteran from Iowa whose career averages 43.9 yards per kick.

Analysts forecast a dynamic season for the Hawkeyes, highlighting quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski's debut, a deep rushing attack, dominant line play, and several marquee victories.
James Barnett, a standout offensive lineman at Iowa City West High School, has officially received a scholarship offer from the University of Iowa, joining a growing list of collegiate programs courting his talents.
James Barnett, a multi-sport star from Iowa City West, has received a scholarship offer from the University of Iowa, where his father serves as offensive line coach. With additional interest from Miami (OH) and South Dakota, Barnett is taking a measured approach to his college decision.
EA Sports' upcoming College Football 27 launches July 9 with a $69.99 price tag, featuring Iowa's updated rating and a roster of cover athletes.

Despite a 67th national ranking, Michigan State’s recent hires and player developments suggest potential upside for the upcoming season