IOWA CITY -- The Iowa football program wrapped up fall camp on Thursday and officially moved into the 2025 college football season.
As the Hawkeyes turn the page and begin preparing for their season-opening opponent in UAlbany, head coach Kirk Ferentz offered an update on the team.
According to Ferentz, Iowa got lucky during fall camp.
"We're fairly healthy, which is good," Ferentz said. "... It's a lot of luck, quite frankly. I think the guys have done a good job training. They came into camp in really good shape. We had less soft tissue stuff than normal coming into camp. That was positive and we've been able to maintain it for the most part."
Ferentz also noted cornerback T.J. Hall, who missed the Hawkeyes' Kids' Day open practice two weeks ago, and running backs Kamari Moulton and T.J. Washington have returned to practice.
People are also reading... Online sex sting leads to arrest of Davenport man who allegedly went to mall to meet girl QC Fuel coffee shop opens, Rookies Sports Bar and Grill closes and more business news John Deere to lay off more than 200 employees across three factories Davenport police investigate two-vehicle crash on Brady Street How a walk-on tight end demonstrates Iowa's recruiting habits as TEU Davenport parolee arrested for allegedly causing head-on collision on Brady Street Saturday night Man arrested for murdering Moline 11-year-old Trudy Appleby 29 years ago East Moline redistricting will move an estimated 43% of students from their current schools Accident in Whiteside County kills 27-year-old from Erie With kids constantly sick, mom tested and found mold toxicity coming from Quad-Cities elementary school After argument over qualifications, Bettendorf splits vote, approves new school board member How will Iowa replace Jay Higgins, Nick Jackson and Kyler Fisher at linebacker? Behind the scenes of the biggest logistical challenge in Iowa State football history Letter: Kristi Noem not smart enough to use the correct word Davenport police arrest man in connection with beating of man at skatepark in June
In addition to the positive injury news, Ferentz also shed light on the program's ongoing position battles at left tackle and cornerback.
At left tackle, the battle remains a close race between Trevor Lauck and Jack Dotzler.
"They're still going back and forth," Ferentz said. "And, both doing a good job. That's the good news is both have really improved a lot. Dotzler might be as improved as anybody on our team. ... That is the fun part, watching guys that are improving that a year ago or two years ago weren't probably in the mix at all or even realistically in the two deep, but now they're moving up and I think we've got a lot of that going on on our roster."
At cornerback, Ferentz said the battle remains a close race with Hall, Deshaun Lee and Jaylen Watson taking the top three spots in that order.
"It's still those three guys," Ferentz said. "Then, we're going from there, but the whole group is improving."
Ferentz also spoke positively about the progress of South Dakota transfer defensive back Shahid Barros.
"He's getting more comfortable and certainly better this past week than the first week," Ferentz said. "He's playing a little freer and a little faster, and he's an older guy, physical guy and pretty aggressive."
At quarterback, Ferentz shared a similar insight on South Dakota State transfer Mark Gronowski, who struggled with fumbles during the aforementioned Kids' Day open practice.
"He's continued to get more comfortable," Ferentz said. "... He wasn't out there in the spring as we all know so that put him behind a little bit, but I think he's gaining more comfort. He's already a pretty confident guy, but he is getting more comfort.
"... The biggest thing has been him not being out there in spring, but he did have June and July. He was throwing the ball in June. I think that's been helpful to him. That's where each day is really important. You see him improve and be more confident. ... There's still a feeling-out process and that'll probably go on for a while as we get going here in the season."
The Hawkeyes kick off the 2025 season on Saturday, August 30 at 5 p.m. against UAlbany. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1 and the Hawkeye Radio Network.
How Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz became the 'ultimate standard' in college football
As Iowa's Kirk Ferentz stands on the doorstep of becoming the Big Ten's all-time winningest head coach, he also stands as one of the nation's premiere college football head coaches.
Season Preview: Iowa to face three 2024 college football playoff teams at home in 2025
The Hawkeyes' 2025 regular season slate includes three teams which appeared in the 2025 College Football Playoff and three-game home stand during Big Ten play.
Would Iowa ever play a game in Ireland, elsewhere overseas?
With Iowa State set to kick off the 2025 season in Ireland, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz discussed whether or not the Hawkeyes would play in a similar overseas contest.
Ethan Petrik is a University of Iowa beat writer for the Lee Enterprises network. Follow him on X or send him an email at ethan.petrik@wcfcourier.com.
0 Comments Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
Be the first to know
Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Ethan Petrik
University of Iowa Athletics Beat Reporter
Author twitter Author email Follow Ethan Petrik Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification.
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today