​A closer look at the Hawkeyes’ depth chart shows that only three first-year players are listed in Iowa’s two-deep.The Hawkeyes are a developmental program. Kirk Ferentz sees the new five years of eligibility as a good addition to college sports.”And the thing now is if we think a freshman can help us, we’ve got a little room to not only experiment with it but also experiment longer, and give a guy more opportunity,” Ferentz said. “If he gets an opportunity to be on the kickoff team, or punt return team, that type of thing. I mean that’s what really got us, got our attention about Dallas Clark first was what he did on special teams, and then figured out he is out of position at that point. But it gives you real exposure to guys sometimes who maybe aren’t, it’s not happening for them at their given positions but you see them playing on special teams and you can logically project that they might have a real opportunity. So I think it’s a great thing.”Iowa opens the season at home against Northern Illinois on Saturday at 3:15.Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF – OurQuadCities.com.