Iowa Football Faces Massive Special Teams Overhaul
Change is not exactly a common word around the Iowa Hawkeyes football program. Under head coach Kirk Ferentz, stability has been the gold standard. From the coaching staff to the expectations on the field, Ferentz built a powerhouse on consistency. As the 2026 season approaches, however, the Hawkeyes are staring down a massive overhaul of a unit that has traditionally been one of their greatest strengths.
Iowa's special teams unit is getting a major facelift. Long-time special teams coordinator LeVar Woods departed for Michigan State this offseason. For a program that relies heavily on this unit to win games, losing a leader like Woods is a significant blow.
A New Coordinator Steps Up
Ferentz will now lean on Chris Polizzi to keep the unit operating at an elite level. Polizzi is entering his fifth year with the Hawkeyes, so he knows the culture and the expectations. This will be his first year in the coordinator role, and the pressure is on.
Iowa consistently fields one of the best special teams units in America. The standard includes strong kick coverage, a punting game that flips the field, an explosive return game, and a reliable field goal operation. Polizzi's task is to ensure the standard does not drop.
Replacing the Three Most Important Starters
Polizzi is not just taking over the unit. He also has to replace its three most important starters from a year ago.
- Kaden Wetjen: The electrifying returner who holds Iowa's record for the most return touchdowns is off to the NFL.
- Drew Stevens: The reliable kicker who handled kicking duties for four years is also in the NFL.
- Rhys Dakin: The starting punter followed Woods to Michigan State through the transfer portal.
That is a massive amount of production and experience walking out the door.
New Faces on the Field
The kicking duties will fall to either Eli Ozick or Caden Buhr. Ozick, the FCS All-American from North Dakota State, brings an impressive resume. He is 19-23 on field goals and 65-66 on extra points in his career. Buhr, a transfer from Holy Cross, has minimal game experience, with just one kickoff for the Hawkeyes.
Punting duties are up for grabs between Tanner Philpott and Boston Everitt. Philpott transferred from Simpson College, where he was a Division III All-American. Everitt is an Australian from Melbourne who fits Iowa's mold of successful Australian punters like Tory Taylor.
The return game remains completely open. A handful of Hawkeyes are vying for the chance to follow in the footsteps of Wetjen and Cooper DeJean as game-changing playmakers.
Why This Unit Cannot Afford to Fail
Iowa is breaking in a new quarterback this season, which almost always comes with growing pains. That usually means quick offensive possessions or drives that stall out. Because of that, the Hawkeyes simply cannot afford a below-average punting game. They need to flip the field and give the defense some breathing room.
With Iowa's style of play, making field goals carries more weight than it does for most teams. When the Hawkeye defense is locking down the opponent, a field goal can feel like a touchdown.
This unit has single-handedly won Iowa games in prior years and is relied upon heavily due to the Hawkeyes' style of play.
Replacing Wetjen is a nearly impossible task, but Iowa needs a return man who makes smart decisions. They need the occasional burst on a kickoff return, but more importantly, they need secure fair catches on punts and smart eight or nine-yard returns to steal a first down. Flashy plays are great, but discipline and ball security are what win games in Iowa City.
This unit has won games for Iowa in the past, and Ferentz puts a massive emphasis on its success. The 2026 group needs to be sharp from Week 1.