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IOWA CITY — Last season, Nathan McNeil, Jacob Wallace and Thomas Meyer were first-year players who stood out for Iowa football.
McNeil rushed for 169 yards. Wallace had three tackles against Nebraska. While Meyer has yet to record his first career catch, he earned some limited time at tight end.
You could even throw Iose Epenesa into that conversation.
It’s not easy for first-year players to emerge in the college game because of the difference in size, speed and physicality from the high school level.
Iowa landed a talented 2026 high school class, which ranked 26th nationally, according to the 247Sports Composite.
It’s difficult to gauge who from that class could make a serious impact in their first season with the Hawkeyes — if any of them — whether that be at their natural position or on special teams. But at the very least, here are some first-year players whose development is worth tracking.
The four-star prospect stood out at Iowa’s open spring practice, making plays in coverage and showing off his physicality. On one play, Vitti blasted a receiver and broke up a pass.
During a practice open to media earlier in the spring, Vitti got some work with the second-team defense.
There isn’t a large sample size, but Vitti has already shown some flashes of what he can bring to the table.
Like Vitti, Jones got in with the second-team defense during the spring.
Jones, the second-highest-ranked recruit in Iowa’s 2026 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite, picked Iowa despite the fact that his brother plays for Nebraska.
Jones and Vitti could very well be future linchpins in Iowa’s secondary, so their growth should be interesting to follow.
Bessinger was one of the crown jewels of Iowa’s 2026 high school recruiting class. The Kaysville, Utah, product is the highest-ranked recruit in the Hawkeyes' incoming freshman class, according to the 247Sports Composite.
Could Bessinger actually see high-pressure action this season? Barring devastating injuries to the quarterback room, it’s unlikely.
More: What are early impressions of Iowa football QB Tradon Bessinger?
Bessinger did not enroll early, and the Shanahan offensive system is not easy to pick up. Jeremy Hecklinski said it’s “baby steps,” right now with Bessinger. At least entering the season, the Hawkeyes’ quarterback room is not in the type of dire shape that would warrant throwing a first-year quarterback into the fire.
But Bessinger might be the future at quarterback. It’s not every day that the Hawkeyes bring in the 11th-ranked signal-caller nationally, so he is certainly a young player to keep an eye on.
Schaffer’s speed immediately jumps off the page. He has reported being clocked at a 4.46 40-yard dash. For comparison, Kaden Wetjen ran a 4.47 40-yard dash at the 2026 NFL Combine.
Iowa’s passing game needs electric playmakers on the outside. It might not be this season, but ideally, Schaffer can provide that at some point.
More: Another Iowa offensive lineman wins Hay Bale Toss at Solon Beef Days
Everitt is a non-traditional first-year player. A product of Australia, he has never played a game of American football before.
But despite the lack of experience, Everitt is in competition for a starting job. Iowa’s starting punter the last two seasons, Rhys Dakin, followed LeVar Woods to Michigan State. Everitt and Simpson College transfer Tanner Philpott are candidates to take over that punting role this season.
A local product of Iowa City West, Manson was the top player in the state of Iowa’s 2026 high school class, according to the 247Sports Composite.
Manson, listed at 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, already possesses great size. Iowa has been a linebacker factory under position coach Seth Wallace. Manson could be another in the pipeline.
Brewer, who reclassified from 2027 to 2026, was a sought-after prospect and marked a recruiting win for the Hawkeyes, who kept him in-state over programs like Miami (Fla.) and Tennessee.
Iowa’s tight end room is loaded this season. But Brewer could help carry the torch of the Hawkeyes’ tight end tradition further down the road.
Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15, contact via email at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Hawk Central: Ranking the most intriguing first-year Iowa football players in 2026
Continue reading...
McNeil rushed for 169 yards. Wallace had three tackles against Nebraska. While Meyer has yet to record his first career catch, he earned some limited time at tight end.
You could even throw Iose Epenesa into that conversation.
It’s not easy for first-year players to emerge in the college game because of the difference in size, speed and physicality from the high school level.
Iowa landed a talented 2026 high school class, which ranked 26th nationally, according to the 247Sports Composite.
It’s difficult to gauge who from that class could make a serious impact in their first season with the Hawkeyes — if any of them — whether that be at their natural position or on special teams. But at the very least, here are some first-year players whose development is worth tracking.
Marcello Vitti, defensive back
The four-star prospect stood out at Iowa’s open spring practice, making plays in coverage and showing off his physicality. On one play, Vitti blasted a receiver and broke up a pass.
During a practice open to media earlier in the spring, Vitti got some work with the second-team defense.
There isn’t a large sample size, but Vitti has already shown some flashes of what he can bring to the table.
Darion Jones, defensive back
Like Vitti, Jones got in with the second-team defense during the spring.
Jones, the second-highest-ranked recruit in Iowa’s 2026 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite, picked Iowa despite the fact that his brother plays for Nebraska.
Jones and Vitti could very well be future linchpins in Iowa’s secondary, so their growth should be interesting to follow.
Tradon Bessinger, quarterback
Bessinger was one of the crown jewels of Iowa’s 2026 high school recruiting class. The Kaysville, Utah, product is the highest-ranked recruit in the Hawkeyes' incoming freshman class, according to the 247Sports Composite.
Could Bessinger actually see high-pressure action this season? Barring devastating injuries to the quarterback room, it’s unlikely.
More: What are early impressions of Iowa football QB Tradon Bessinger?
Bessinger did not enroll early, and the Shanahan offensive system is not easy to pick up. Jeremy Hecklinski said it’s “baby steps,” right now with Bessinger. At least entering the season, the Hawkeyes’ quarterback room is not in the type of dire shape that would warrant throwing a first-year quarterback into the fire.
But Bessinger might be the future at quarterback. It’s not every day that the Hawkeyes bring in the 11th-ranked signal-caller nationally, so he is certainly a young player to keep an eye on.
Brody Schaffer, wide receiver
Schaffer’s speed immediately jumps off the page. He has reported being clocked at a 4.46 40-yard dash. For comparison, Kaden Wetjen ran a 4.47 40-yard dash at the 2026 NFL Combine.
Iowa’s passing game needs electric playmakers on the outside. It might not be this season, but ideally, Schaffer can provide that at some point.
More: Another Iowa offensive lineman wins Hay Bale Toss at Solon Beef Days
Boston Everitt, punter
Everitt is a non-traditional first-year player. A product of Australia, he has never played a game of American football before.
But despite the lack of experience, Everitt is in competition for a starting job. Iowa’s starting punter the last two seasons, Rhys Dakin, followed LeVar Woods to Michigan State. Everitt and Simpson College transfer Tanner Philpott are candidates to take over that punting role this season.
Julian Manson, linebacker
A local product of Iowa City West, Manson was the top player in the state of Iowa’s 2026 high school class, according to the 247Sports Composite.
Manson, listed at 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, already possesses great size. Iowa has been a linebacker factory under position coach Seth Wallace. Manson could be another in the pipeline.
Luke Brewer, tight end
Brewer, who reclassified from 2027 to 2026, was a sought-after prospect and marked a recruiting win for the Hawkeyes, who kept him in-state over programs like Miami (Fla.) and Tennessee.
Iowa’s tight end room is loaded this season. But Brewer could help carry the torch of the Hawkeyes’ tight end tradition further down the road.
Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15, contact via email at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Hawk Central: Ranking the most intriguing first-year Iowa football players in 2026
Continue reading...
