The Iowa football offense has a lot of questions to answer this season. The depth and talent of the running back room are not among them.
The Hawkeyes have four backs they trust to carry the rock in 2026. Kamari Moulton, Xavier Williams, and Nathan McNeil all return from last year's team. That trio is a mostly known commodity and a strong group on their own. In the offseason, Iowa made the room even deeper when they landed L.J. Phillips Jr. in the transfer portal.
Phillips rushed for nearly 2,000 yards in 2025 at South Dakota. He'll now bring that toughness and explosiveness to Iowa City. The fourth-year back was impressive at Saturday's annual Kids Day at Kinnick scrimmage. Phillips earned the attention of his head coach, Kirk Ferentz, who had
glowing things to say about his newest running back after the practice.
"That's kind of who he's been. He's really been a great guy. He's great in all phases. Down the hallway, in the weight room, wherever you see him. He's a football guy, got a really mature approach. He enjoys every part of it...
"He's one of those guys, some guys play better when it's live than they do two-hand touch, and he's definitely that kind of player. I think he'll be tougher in situations where they can tackle," Ferentz said.
With an inexperienced quarterback at the helm to begin the story, Ferentz will rely on his stable of running backs to lead the way. Despite being the newest addition to the room, Phillips is expected to play a big role in doing just that. Ferentz's comments show the confidence he has in Phillips to maintain that standard.
Fans will get to check out Phillips in a Hawkeye uniform in less than three weeks when Iowa opens the season against Northern Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 5 from Kinnick Stadium.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football praises RB LJ Phillips after Kids Day scrimmage
