The 2026 season presents a unique situation for the Iowa Hawkeyes. In an era of rosters being constructed via the transfer portal and one-year rentals, Kirk Ferentz has maintained a steady flow of upperclassmen dotting his depth chart in Iowa City.This year, while it is an upperclassmen-heavy team, there are plenty of players with two or three years of experience in the program, but haven't been used to playing in the Big Ten.Which Iowa Position Groups Are Ready to Carry the Hawkeyes in 2026?With that comes a challenge for Ferentz, defensive coordinator Phil Parker, offensive coordinator Tim Lester, and new special teams coordinator Chris Polizzi, who takes over after the departure of LeVar Woods to Michigan State. They are challenged with molding new faces together in a hurry to compete in the Big Ten. Can the Hawkeyes gel quickly and push for their first College Football Playoff appearance? Or are they destined for a return to the Music City Bowl?QuarterbackIowa Hawkeyes quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski (10) warms up Nov. 8, 2025 before a Big Ten Football game against the Oregon Ducks at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. | Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesThis is the largest looming question for the Hawkeyes. Mark Gronowski gave this offense a more dynamic appearance than it had seen in some time. Jeremy Hecklinski or Hank Brown takes over now, and it is still to be determined who gets the nod come Week 1 against Northern Illinois.The two have combined to go just 13-23 for 115 yards in an Iowa uniform. Do you think Kirk Ferentz takes the training wheels off either of these or asks them to simply manage the game? For Iowa fans, the answer to that is the latter if history tells us anything.Until Iowa proves it can develop a young, inexperienced quarterback into something more, which they have not successfully done since the likes of Nate Stanley, this group has its work cut out for it.Buy or Sell: SellRunning BackIowa Hawkeyes running back Kamari Moulton (28) carries the ball during a college football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions Oct. 18, 2025 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. | Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesThis is quite possibly Iowa's deepest and best position on the entire roster and it couldn't come at a better time. With a young quarterback taking over, this group is going to be the workhorse this offense leans on.Kamari Moulton, the lead back, is returning and joined by fellow returners Xavier Williams and Nathan McNeil, young backs who showed pop and promise in 2025.To bolster this group, Iowa dipped into the portal and added L.J. Phillips, the FCS leading rusher last year, from South Dakota, to give them a tough, physical presence in the backfield. This group is deep, has a wide skillset, and should be Iowa's offensive key.Buy or Sell: BuyWide ReceiverIowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Reece Vander Zee (15) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Minnesota Golden Gophers Oct. 25, 2025 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. | Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesThe promise is there. The hope is there. They have some new faces in this room.They don't have the history or proven success, though, and that makes this group hard to trust. Iowa has struggled to get production from the wide receiver position for years and a new quarterback coming into the fold doesn't give a ton of confidence that the next step is taken.That said, Reece Vander Zee is healthy, and can go up and get it. He has to be a focal point in the downfield passing game. Alongside him is Tony Diaz, the transfer from UT Rio Grande Valley, who has made noise since arriving. This group has the potential, but we need evidence first.Buy or Sell: SellTight EndDec 31, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes tight end DJ Vonnahme (81) runs with the ball against the Vanderbilt Commodoresin the first quarter during the ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn ImagesAlternatively, unlike the wide receivers, Iowa gets the nod when it comes to tight ends. No one in America consistently finds, develops, and utilizes tight end talent better than the Hawkeyes.They found their next good one last year, DJ Vonnahme, in the form of a walk-on, which is classic Iowa fashion. He led Iowa in receiving yards and touchdowns last year, and figures to be even more involved this season.Tim Lester schemes up plays for his tight ends to leak into the flat, be an option on RPOs, and began showing a willingness to let them attack down the seam. Expect Vonnahme to do it all this year.Buy or Sell: BuyOffensive LineIowa offensive line coach George Barnett stands on the sidelines before a NCAA non-conference football game against Kent State, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.