​We’re roughly two weeks away from Big Ten Media Days in Chicago, and it’s safe to say that the Iowa football program is ready to begin its 2026 season.The Hawkeyes held their second and final summer media availability before fall camp. While defensive players dominated the first media session, Wednesday’s press conferences featured most of the key members of the offense.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHere are some of our takeaways after chatting with the players.We suspected Iowa’s quarterback battle would go deep into fall camp, and after taking with Hank Brown, Jeremy Hecklinski, and their pass-catchers, all signs point to this race taking a few more weeks to be resolved – with the decision likely coming on the Monday of game week (that’s when the depth chart is released).Tight end DJ Vonnahme and running back Kamari Moulton were asked about their perspective of the race, and they both gave similar answers.”I feel like it’s pretty close,” Vonnahme said. “I’m not a quarterback and analyst or whatever, but they’re both throwing good balls, and that’s all you can really ask for.”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement”They [are] neck and neck,” Moulton said. “I really have no idea like who is supposed to be the starting guy or whatnot. I just know they come in every day and compete and work hard. So like for me, like they are both on a level-level pace for me. So I’ll be happy with whoever.”We’ll dive into additional quarterback content later on, but if there was one constant topic in both Hecklinski and Brown’s pressers, it’s that both are learning valuable things from senior consultant and offensive advisor Tom Moore.Moore is one of the most legendary and brilliant offensive minds to ever grace an NFL field, and he just so happens to be an Iowa alum. Kirk Ferentz hired Moore to a non-game day analyst role in May, and it seems like the move is already paying off.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMoore has coached some of the game’s greatest quarterbacks, but most notably served as Peyton Manning’s offensive coordinator with the Indianapolis Colts for 11 seasons and won Super Bowl XLI.Though Moore has been on staff for only a few months, he’s already brought his six decades of coaching experience to the offense. Brown told us that Moore has often shared stories of coaching Manning during meetings, and even wants to use a play that he used with Manning.”It’s super fun to have him in our room,” Brown said.Hecklinski offered a similar comment.”He sits in on our quarterback meetings. So he’ll give his tips and his tricks of the trade and stuff like that. He’s been wonderful,” Hecklinski said.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNo one outside of Iowa had heard of Vonnahme prior to the 2025 season, but it’s safe to say the Big Ten and the nation were put on notice after Vonnahme had a breakout finish to the season.Vonnahme is now the Hawkeyes’ clear No. 1 tight end in 2026, but that distinction comes with massive expectations. He’s alre