For the last five years, Iowa has spent tons of time, energy, and resources looking to improve its wide receiver room.
While there's been some talent to come through the program at that position, the Hawkeyes have struggled to get production from those guys. Big recruits and transfers have come in and out of Iowa City with little success. Kirk Ferentz is hoping that changes in 2026.
Reece Vander Zee and Dayton Howard return, giving Iowa a pair of big-bodied receivers to play on the outside. But, it's the newest additions to the roster from the transfer portal that have fans the most excited.
The Hawkeyes landed Tony Diaz and Evan James out of the portal. Diaz transferred in from UT-Rio Grande Valley, while James came from Furman. Both were extremely
impressive in 2025, leading to their spot on Pro Football Focus' latest ranking.
PFF ranked the top 10 highest-graded returning Big Ten wide receivers. Diaz and James both made the list. James is third, receiving an 85.3 overall grade last season. Diaz is sixth, earning an 80.4 overall grade in 2025.
Highest Graded Returning Big Ten Wide Receivers🔥 pic.twitter.com/apStotCm2E
— PFF College (@PFF_College) July 26, 2026
Iowa joins Ohio State as the only school to have multiple receivers on this list. While James and Diaz earned those grades at smaller schools, they still bring some pedigree and consistency to a wide receiver room that needs it. Those two, alongside Vander Zee and Howard, give Iowa a strong base to work with next season.
With a new quarterback set to start in 2026, Iowa's playmakers need to step up and make that guy's life easier. The additions of James and Diaz should give them a better shot of doing that.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football transfer WRs receive high praise from Pro Football Focus
