TAMPA – To most outsiders, the state of Florida is a tourism state.
People flock to the Sunshine State to enjoy its warm climate, visit classic theme parks such as Disney World and Busch Gardens, and dip their toes in one of its legendary beaches. While a record 143 million tourists visited Florida in 2024, the state is also home to over 23 million permanent residents – the third-most in the nation.
Though the University of Iowa is over 1,000 miles away from Florida, its football program is slowly starting to establish a steady recruiting pipeline in the state, especially at the running back position.
Three Hawkeye backs – Kamari Moulton, Jaziun Patterson, and Nathan McNeil – all hail from Florida. Wednesday’s ReliaQuest Bowl against No. 14 Vanderbilt (12 EST, ESPN), will provide the trio with a chance to play a college football game in their home state.
And they are determined to win the game.
McNeil didn’t practice on Saturday, leaving his status for the contest unknown, but the true freshman is glad to be back in his hometown of Tampa. Though he roots for the Carolina Panthers and not his hometown Tampa Bay Buccaneers, McNeil is excited to play at Raymond James Stadium, where over 15 of his friends and family members will be present.
“I was excited just knowing that I could play in front of my family, at home, everybody gets to come to the game. It’s exciting, I guess, ” McNeil said at media availability Saturday.
McNeil’s 2025 numbers aren’t eye-popping – 169 yards on 37 carries – but the true freshman proved he could contribute when he filled in for an injured Patterson on Oct. 11 against rival Wisconsin. McNeil rushed for 40 yards on nine carries (4.4 yards per carry) in Iowa’s 37-0 victory, including a season-high 24-yard carry to set up the Hawkeyes’ first field goal of the game.
McNeil will have a tough time securing an increased workload in 2026, as Moulton Patterson, and fellow freshman Xavier Williams will all return, but that’s fine for McNeil. He loves the high-level competition the room brings each and every day.
“I got comfortable throughout the whole season, just finding my role,” McNeil said. “It’s easy to know that I have guys that just work with me every single day. We’re a family.”
While McNeil isn’t sure if he’ll play on Wednesday, Moulton will be Iowa’s No. 1 running back against the Commodores. Not only is Moulton, a Fort Lauderdale native, excited to be back in his home state, he’s excited to play under the shining sun, which has rarely made an appearance during a chilly Iowa City December.
“[I] always enjoy the homeland where I’m from, it definitely gives me a boost of energy and just a boost of excitement,” Moulton said. “We haven’t seen the sun in over a month. Coming out here has just very good vibes.”
While much of the attention leading up to the New Year’s Eve showdown has been placed on the quarterback battle between Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia and Iowa’s Mark Gronowski, this game could be decided on the ground.
The Hawkeyes and Commodores both have excellent run defenses. Vanderbilt has shown marked improvement under second-year defensive coordinator Steve Gregory, holding opponents to 108 rushing yards per game, while Iowa has remained its usual stellar self under longtime defensive coordinator Phil Parker.
But Moulton, who leads the Hawkeyes with 783 rushing yards and four touchdowns, has the luxury of using a standout offensive line that was awarded the Joe Moore Award (best offensive line in the country) last week.
“I feel like this offensive line in general are probably the most humble people on the field because they don’t get enough recognition,” Moulton said.
Beating opponents in the trenches is head coach Kirk Ferentz’s longtime winning recipe in Iowa City, and it could help Moulton and the Hawkeye offense end their season on a high note after suffering four close losses during the regular season.
“[The key is] just coming out, firing like we really didn’t lose a beat, just coming out and just taking it a play at a time and just having good drives and just being consistent,” Moulton said.