Iowa players warm up during football open practice at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, April 25, 2026. The Iowa Hawkeyes host the Northern Illinois Huskies on Sept. 5 with the time yet to be announced. (Emma Calabro/The Daily Iowan)
The Iowa Hawkeyes hosted open practice at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday morning for fans and the media to attend. The practice was hosted by University of Iowa Health Care.
The Hawkeyes participated in offensive and defensive position-specialized drills, alongside scrimmages that ran throughout the practice.
Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz stated how the spring practice season has brought forth great development for their incoming talent and returning members; however there is still improvement to be made before the commencement of the 2026 season. “There is still work to be done,” said Ferentz.
Nearing the end of the practice, Kaden Wetjen was announced as the 121st pick in the 2026 NFL Draft across the stadium, bringing fans into an uproar. Wetjen was drafted to the Pittsburgh Steelers alongside Iowa’s former offensive lineman, Gennings Dunker.
The Iowa Hawkeyes are set to play against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Sept. 5 with the start time to be determined.
Iowa quarterbacks Jimmy Sullivan and Ryan Fitzgerald walk to the field before football open practice at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, April 25, 2026. The Iowa Hawkeyes host the Northern Illinois Huskies on Sept. 5 with the time yet to be announced. (Emma Calabro/The Daily Iowan) (Emma Calabro)Players wait for the snap during football open practice at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, April 25, 2026. The Iowa Hawkeyes host the Northern Illinois Huskies on Sept. 5 with the time yet to be announced. (Samantha DeFily/The Daily Iowan) (Samantha DeFily)Iowa defensive back Tyler Brown runs a drill during football open practice at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, April 25, 2026. The Iowa Hawkeyes host the Northern Illinois Huskies on Sept. 5 with the time yet to be announced. (Emma Calabro/The Daily Iowan) (Emma Calabro)A family watches during football open practice at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, April 25, 2026. The Iowa Hawkeyes host the Northern Illinois Huskies on Sept. 5 with the time yet to be announced. (Samantha DeFily/The Daily Iowan) (Samantha DeFily)Iowa defensive back Rashad Godfrey Jr. prays before football open practice at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, April 25, 2026. The Iowa Hawkeyes host the Northern Illinois Huskies on Sept. 5 with the time yet to be announced. (Samantha DeFily/The Daily Iowan) (Samantha DeFily)Iowa quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski goes to throw the ball during football open practice at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, April 25, 2026. The Iowa Hawkeyes host the Northern Illinois Huskies on Sept. 5 with the time yet to be announced. (Emma Calabro/The Daily Iowan) (Emma Calabro)Iowa defensive back Jaylen Watson dives for football in fumble recovery drill during a spring football practice on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Reece Schrader/The Daily Iowan) (Reece Schrader)Iowa players wave to the children’s hospital during football open practice at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, April 25, 2026. The Iowa Hawkeyes host the Northern Illinois Huskies on Sept. 5 with the time yet to be announced. (Samantha DeFily/The Daily Iowan) (Samantha DeFily)Iowa defensive lineman Maddux Borcherding-Johnson runs a drill during football open practice at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, April 25, 2026. The Iowa Hawkeyes host the Northern Illinois Huskies on Sept. 5 with the time yet to be announced. (Samantha DeFily/The Daily Iowan) (Samantha DeFily)Iowa fans walk to their seats before football open practice at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, April 25, 2026. The Iowa Hawkeyes host the Northern Illinois Huskies on Sept. 5 with the time yet to be announced. (Emma Calabro/The Daily Iowan) (Emma Calabro)Iowa defensive back Zach Lutmer takes off after catching punt return during a spring football practice on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Reece Schrader/The Daily Iowan) (Reece Schrader)Iowa defensive lineman Kenneth Merrieweather celebrates with teammates during a spring football practice on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Reece Schrader/The Daily Iowan) (Reece Schrader)Iowa wide receiver Lance Beeghley goes to catch a ball during football open practice at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, April 25, 2026. The Iowa Hawkeyes host the Northern Illinois Huskies on Sept. 5 with the time yet to be announced. (Emma Calabro/The Daily Iowan) (Emma Calabro)The Iowa Hawkeyes host a open spring football practice on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Reece Schrader/The Daily Iowan) (Reece Schrader)Iowa defensive lineman Iose Epensa runs back after celebrating teammate’s interception during a spring football practice on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Reece Schrader/The Daily Iowan) (Reece Schrader)
