Iowa football releases Week 1 depth chart vs. Northern Illinois

Three words that Hawkeye fans will love to hear: It's game week.

Iowa opens its 2026 season at home against Northern Illinois from Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 3:15 p.m. CT with the game broadcast on the Big Ten Network.

In anticipation of its season opener, the Hawkeyes released their Week 1 depth chart. The biggest question was who would be named Iowa's starting quarterback. Entering Week 1, the quarterback competition rolls on.

Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski are listed with an "OR" as Iowa's starting quarterback to begin the season. Here's a look at the Hawkeyes' season-opening depth chart:

Iowa football's Week 1 depth chart

Week 1 \\ Depth Chart \\ vs. Northern Illinois pic.twitter.com/UqbaYoWQGW

— HawkeyeFBNotes (@HawkeyeFBNotes) August 31, 2026

Quarterback

• No. 1: Hank Brown OR Jeremy Hecklinski
• No. 3: Jimmy Sullivan

Running back

• No. 1: Kamari Moulton
• No. 2: LJ Phillips Jr.

Wide receiver

• No. 1: Reece Vander Zee; Evan James; Tony Diaz
• No. 2: Jarriett Buie; KJ Parker; Dayton Howard

Tight end

• No. 1: DJ Vonnahme OR Addison Ostrenga
• No. 3: Thomas Meyer

Left tackle

• No. 1: Trevor Lauck
• No. 2: Bodey McCaslin

Left guard

• No. 1: Leighton Jones
• No. 2: Trent Wilson

Center

• No. 1: Cael Winter
• No. 2: Michael Myslinski

Right guard

• No. 1: Kade Pieper
• No. 2: Lucas Allgeyer

Right tackle

• No. 1: Jack Dotzler
• No. 2: Cannon Leonard

Left defensive end

• No. 1: Kenny Merrieweather
• No. 2: Kahmari Brown

Defensive tackle

• No. 1: Will Hubert
• No. 2: Devan Kennedy

Defensive tackle

• No. 1: Bryce Hawthorne
• No. 2: Luke Gaffney

Right defensive end

• No. 1: Iose Epenesa
• No. 2: Drew Campbell

CASH

• No. 1: Jacob Wallace
• No. 2: Jaylen Watson

LEO

• No. 1: Landyn Van Kekerix
• No. 2: Derek Weisskopf

MIKE linebacker

• No. 1: Cam Buffington
• No. 2: Nolan DeLong

WILL linebacker

• No. 1: Jayden Montgomery
• No. 2: Preston Ries

Left cornerback

• No. 1: Jaylen Watson
• No. 2: Rashad Godfrey Jr.

Strong safety

• No. 1: Anthony Hawkins
• No. 2: Xavier Styles OR Marcello Vitti

Free safety

• No. 1: Zach Lutmer
• No. 2: Ty Hudkins

Right cornerback

• No. 1: Deshaun Lee
• No. 2: Jacob Wallace

Place kicker

• No. 1: Caden Buhr
• No. 2: Eli Ozick

Punter

• No. 1: Boston Everitt
• No. 2: Tanner Philpott

Long snapper

• No. 1: Ike Speltz
• No. 2: Matty McLaughlin

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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football releases Week 1 depth chart vs. Northern Illinois