Hawkeye Report Podcast
A collection of podcasts from HawkeyeReport.com
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Hawkeye Report Podcast 807
08/12/2026
Hawkeye Report Podcast 807
Yes we are headed into football season and fall is almost here, but it's always a good time to talk a little Iowa baseball. Tom Kakert and Kyle Huesmann hop on the Hawkeye Report Podcast to talk about the remaking of the Iowa baseball roster in this off-season. We open talking about Rick Heller's portal haul that includes several players who were highly sought out of high school and are looking for a restart to their college career. That includes a star player from the Cedar Rapids area who could be a great bounce back candidate. We talk about the new pictching coach and while he is young, he has rapidly jumped up the MLB ranks in recent years. Then we talk about the pretty strong haul of players from the prep ranks, including a star in-state pitcher who could contribute right away. Finally we take a quick look at the Iowa women's soccer team, who opens play this week. What does Kyle Husemann think of the new head coach and the team that he has assembled.
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Hawkeye Report Podcast 806
08/11/2026
Hawkeye Report Podcast 806
This week the Iowa football team will hold their annual media day and Kids Day open practice at Kinnick Stadium. Tom Kakert is joined by Chad Leistikow from the Des Moines Register to talk about what they are expecting and hoping to learn this week about the Hawkeye football team. We open with a discussion about the hottest topic heading into the season, the quarterback battle and why we expect it will carry over into the season. What do we think of the race and who could end up winning the race? Then we move over to talking about defense and the concerns surrounding the defensive line and their lack of experience this year. Is it wrong to doubt a Phil Parker defense and what do we need to see from that group early this season? Are we buying into Cam Buffington being the next great middle linebacker at Iowa? On the offensive side, we talk about is Kade Pieper and if he is going to be a center this year. Will Cael Winter be in the starting five, potentially at center? Is this the best potential collection of skill position players in several years and are we buying the hype surrounding transfer Tony Diaz? We also discuss special teams and what our concerns could be with a new placekicker, a new punter, and someone taking over as the return man. We think the coverage teams will be solid, but what about the return game and kicking game. Finally we look at some of the over-unders for Big Ten teams and who we like and who we don't like this year in the conference.
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Hawkeye Report Podcast 805
08/06/2026
Hawkeye Report Podcast 805
The college football season is rapidly approaching and it's time to do a look at the Big Ten from a season win total perspective. We are joined by our good friend Trent Condon to talk about the conference from a gambling perspective. We run down most of the conference and look at their win totals this season and try to predict if they will go over or under the total. Will Indiana have another huge season? What about Ohio State, who comes into the season as the conference favorite? We both have Oregon as our conference favorite, why? What about the Iowa Hawkeyes this year? Will they exceed their win total of 7.5 this season? We have a disagreement on that one and a bet for the college football playoff involving the Hawkeyes. Then we talk a bit about the start of fall camp in Iowa City. What about the Hawkeye team concerns us? Why we don't have the quarterback position at the top of that list? What are our concerns about Iowa's special teams? Are there worries about the Hawkeyes along the defensive line? You can listen/watch Trent's new radio show at this link: On3/Rivals/Hawkeye Report have a special offer running until August 12th. 75% off a yearly subscription. Massive discount. Under $30 for the entire year! Join us here: Finally, check out the great Randy Ingle and his fantasitic Hawkeye art work. Great signed prints of all-time great Hawkeyes. go to
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Hawkeye Report Podcast 804
08/04/2026
Hawkeye Report Podcast 804
It's a special edition of the Hawkeye Report Podcast. Tom Kakert and Matt Randazzo are joined by former Hawkeye and the All-Time leading scorer in Iowa men's basketball history, Luka Garza. Garza will be back in Iowa this month hosting a pair of camps. One in Fayette on August 17th and the other in Indianola on the 19th. More information can be found at LukaGarzaSkillsAcademy.com We visit with the former National Player of the Year about his camps and continuing to give back to the Iowa community. We talk to him about playing for hte Celtics this past season and starting Game 7 against Philadelphia in the NBA Playoffs and what that experience was like for him. He also talks about how he made the most of his opportunity this season in Boston and how he is working to prepare for this season. Also, we discuss the Hawkeyes today and his thoughts on their run in the NCAA Tournament and how he was also watching Fran McCaffery at Penn and how great that was to see them have success. Garza has picked up a new hobby, the game of golf. He talks about how he has been playing with Tyler Cook and who is winning those battles.
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Hawkeye Report Podcast 803
07/31/2026
Hawkeye Report Podcast 803
The Hawkeye Report Podcast is back late in the week as we look back at what we learned at Big Ten Football Media Days in Chicago. Iowa was on day one and Kirk Ferentz said a few things that were pretty surprising. He gave a glowing review of transfer wide receiver Tony Diaz and his potential this fall. What did we think of those comments? Ferentz also talked about the offensive line and threw a new name into the mix. We discuss what could potential happen with that starting five and how Ferentz feels good about up to eight players who could be ready to contribute. WE also discuss the concerns along the defensive line and how Ferentz said that they are going to play a lot of guys at this position group. Finally, what about the defenisve backfield? Where will Zach Lutmer play and who will be the other Hawkeyes that fit in around him? Is special teams also a group where there is concerns going into fall camp? Then we switch over to women's basketball recruiting. Kyle Huesmann was on the road last weekend in Chicago talking and evaluating the top prospects for the Hawkeyes in the Class of 2027, 2028 and beyond. He breaks down who the top targets are in the Class of 2027 and their chances with them. We wrap up with a few notes on the Iowa baseball team adding a couple of very interesting prospects in the transfer portal.
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Hawkeye Report Podcast 802
07/27/2026
Hawkeye Report Podcast 802
We are pleased to have Iowa football Chief of Staff and General Manager Tyler Barnes join us today on the Hawkeye Report Podcast. As usual, we have a wide ranging conversation with Barnes about Iowa football recruiting and the team in general. We open the show talking about how important the Iowa Swarm was to the success of Hawkeye football the last four years and how it stepped in and filled a massive void in the new era of college athletics when it was desperately needed. We then dive into the state of recruiting now in the NIL era and how it is basically a wild west show. How does he go about trying to verify financial offers to prospects? How much is tampering a part of college football today and how does he address it? After that we discuss the current 2027 recruiting class. While we can't discuss specific names because of NCAA rules, Barnes shares with us how many more players they will seek to sign and what positions might be a need. He also talks about the upcoming 5 for 5 rule, which allows players to play five full years at the college level. How is that impacting recruiting. We look back at Iowa's transfer haul this past winter and the philosophy that they went with to aquire players and how they went about doing that and targeting players who could be at Iowa for two or more years. We also talk about how they found Tony Diaz and Tyler Brown, who were two top targets for the Hawkeyes in the portal. Also, we look back at how Barnes and Tim Lester went about deciding on not going after a quarterback in the portal this past winter and the evaluation process that took place. Finally, we talk about Tom Moore, at 87 years of age, joining the Iowa staff this spring and what he has brought to the table as a coach and a person.
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Hawkeye Report Podcast 801
07/23/2026
Hawkeye Report Podcast 801
It's another edition of the Hawkeye Report Podcast and we have a lot of ground to cover. Tom Kakert and Kyle Huesmann are joined by special guest Tyler Daugherty, who is the GM of the Field of Dreams Ballpark, which will host an Iowa baseball game against Kansas this fall. He talks about how the October 10th event came together and what fans can expect. Then we move on to saying goodbye to a pair of great Hawkeyes who passed away recently and then it's on to sports, specifically Iowa women's basketball. We were at practice this week and share what we saw and what we learned. We also talk about what Jan Jensen and the players had to say after practice. After that we talk women's basketball recruiting. Kyle will be out on the road this weekend at an event in Chicago and previews some of the top prospects he will be watching at the event. Then we move to men's basketball recruiting. One of Iowa's point guard targets in the Class of 2027 is announcing his college choice this weekend. We tell you where it appears he will be heading to. Then we give you the latest on five star point guard Cayden Daughtry and what is next in his recruitment. Finally we talk Big Ten Media Days for football, which takes place starting on Tuesday in Chicago. The Hawkeyes will be talking on Tuesday. What do we expect to hear from Kirk Ferentz and the players? What will be the hot topics next week? We want to thank our new podcast sponsor, Randy Ingle, who owns Under the Kitchen and has outstanding artwork of your favorite Iowa football, basketball players and wrestlers. Give his work a look at underthekitchen.square.site and purchase it for your mancave.
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Hawkeye Report Podcast 800
07/14/2026
Hawkeye Report Podcast 800
We continue our summer coaches series by visiting with former Iowa player and current Hawkeye tight end coach, Abdul Hodge. The conversation begins with discussing what he has learned about coaching the position and on offense in the last five years? How does he lean to the tradition of the tight end position at Iowa and the success that the players have had with the Hawkeyes. Then we talk about recruiting today and if it is a transaction or if it is more of a relationship business. How Is Hodge seeing things from a parent perspective with his son, A.J. being recuited as a football player at Iowa City West High School? After that we are talking about the group of tight ends that he will be working with this fall. We start by discussing the return of senior Addison Ostrenga and run down the entire tight end room, including emerging star D.J. Vonnahme, and all the way down to new freshman Luke Brewer.
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Hawkeye Report Podcast 799
07/14/2026
Hawkeye Report Podcast 799
We have been off for nearly two weeks, but the Hawkeye Report Podcast is back in action this week. We have plenty to get caught up on and start with Tom Kakert reviewing his trip to Las Vegas to watch NBA Summer League with several former Hawkeyes taking part, and three days spent at the Nike EYBL event. We have plenty to say about five star point guard Cayden Daughtry and his performance in the event. Where do the Hawkeyes stand with the talented guard? Are the Hawkeyes in the lead. Plus we discuss the interesting angle that developed in Vegas and that was former Hawkeye Bennett Stirtz showing up at the EYBL games to watch Daughtry and Tate McCollum and what questions Daughtry asked him and what he thought of the talented point guard. Then we talk some football and get caught up on our fearless forecast, which was published for the 23rd straight year on July 4th. What was the record that we picked for the Hawkeyes? Who are we predicting they lose to this year? We also look at the ten bold predictions for the Iowa football team this season and what some of those are.
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Hawkeye Report Podcast 798
07/02/2026
Hawkeye Report Podcast 798
We continue our summer podcast series with a first time guest on the Hawkeye Report Podcast. Tom Kakert is joined by the host of Locked On Hawkeyes Podcast and now former KXNO host, Trent Condon. It's been an eventful week for Condon and he discusses the last week for him from a professional sense with the owners of KXNO essentially dumping all the talent at the station. We spend the bulk of the time on this podcast talking Iowa football and basketball. We open that discussion by talking about Hawkeye football. The conversation starts with the concerns heading into the season regarding the Iowa defense, particularly the tackle position. We break down the line, the linebackers, and Zach Lutmer and the Hawkeye secondary. Is this as simple as in Phil Parker we trust? Then we move to special teams. There's a whole lot of change at the position, starting with the coordinator and then moving on to both the kicker and the punter, along with finding a new return man. Then we move to the offensive side of the ball and discuss the quarterback battle, the upgrade of talent at receiver and if it will pay dividends, and why the offensive line will be strong again this season. Plus we look at Iowas win total of 7.5. Will they go over or under that total. After that we move on to men's basketball and talk about the program that Ben McCollum is building. We discuss the addition of Andrew McKeever and what he will do for the Iowa team and McCollum having a legit seven footer for the first time and what that might be like. Could we see a twin towers look for the Hawkeyes? What about the development of Trevin Jirak? And we talk about scheduling and how McCollum has put together a solid non-conference slate of games.
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Hawkeye Report Podcast 797
06/26/2026
Hawkeye Report Podcast 797
It's a double dose of the Hawkeye Report Podcast to wrap up the week. There's been a lot going on with Iowa athletics and we needed to do a bit of housekeeping to get caught up on the news on several fronts. Tom Kakert, Kyle Huesmann, and Tanner Lafever are on this edition of the podcast and we open talking about Iowa's Bennett Stirtz being a first round pick eventually landing with the Oklahoma City Thunder. We discuss that selection and what it might mean for Hawkeye basketballl. Then we move on to get the views of Huesmann from Iowa women's basketball practice today. They also met the media and he gives us a summary of what Jan Jensen had to say to the media after practice. What did we learn overall from the visit? We also talk a bit about the toxic nature of the discourse involving Caitlin Clark in the WNBA and how it is impossible to have a rational discussion about it on-line. Then we move on to Iowa men's and women's wrestling. Lafever talks about Spencer Lee and an incoming freshman for the Hawkeye women's team winning this past weekend, which means they are representing the USA later this year. We also talk about the wrestling rosters for both teams. After that we discuss the NCAA approving 5 for 5 for athletes, which means that players will now have five years to play in college. No more redshirts and appeals for sixth years. It all starts once they enroll and/or reach 19 years of age. We run down ll the major sports at Iowa and discuss various players and how it might impact them moving forward. Finally we discuss the Hawkeyes who will be representing the Iowa football team at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago later in the month of July.
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Hawkeye Report Podcast 796
06/25/2026
Hawkeye Report Podcast 796
We continue our Hawkeye Report Summer Podcast series this time with Associate Head Coach and Linebackers Coach Seth Wallace joining us for a great conversation about Iowa football and mentors. We open the show talking about keeping a work/life balance as a coach and the demands of the job. He talks about the importance of having some time off this time of the year to spend time with family. Wallace also talks about the state of college football, in particular how it has change post the House settlement that allows schools to play their athletes. How has that impacted recruiting? Has it become more of a transaction and if it is, then is that a red flag? Then we talk about the Iowa linebacker room heading into the season. He discusses the development and potential of Cam Buffington at middle linebacker and is Jayden Montgomery slated to start at the Will backer spot? How do you keep the possible LEO backer patient when they only potentially play 25% of the snaps? Who is contending for playing time there? Also, who are some potential candidates to play the Cash position this fall? Wallace also talks about some of the young players on the team at linebacker, including four new faces, two of whom joined the team back in January. We talk about the potential for Zach Lutmer this year and where he might play on defense, plus we get his thoughts on the new addition at safety, Tyler Brown. Finally we wrap up discussing the addition of the legendary Tom Moore to the coaching staff. Wallace talks about the impact that he is having and the value he adds to the coaching staff, plus how he reminds him of someone like Norm Parker.
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Hawkeye Report Podcast 795
06/24/2026
Hawkeye Report Podcast 795
We continue our Hawkeye Report Summer Podcast series as we are joined by Iowa quarterback coach Billy VandeMerkt, who took over that position earlier this year. The pod opens with getting to know VandeMerkt better. His upbringing in Illinois and how Tim Lester attempted to recruit him to play quarterback for him at Elmhurst College, where he was the head coach at the time. We then discuss his journey into coaching and how it got started thanks to a coach who is now an NFL coach. How that coach is now an NFL head coach and how his rise led to VandeMerkt becoming a coach for the New York Jets. Then we dive into VandeMerkt and how he ended up at Iowa in 2025 and the role that he filled last year as a senior analyst and what his responsiblities were. Then this year he is elevated to the quarterback coach job. What that has been like for him? What does he look for in a quarterback in terms of traits that make them successful? We also discuss the race at quarterback this spring between Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski. How did they manage and plan everything this spring and did they manage it as well as they had hoped? How will the offense change this season with a different style of quarterback this year? When do they want to make a decision regarding the starting quarterback position? Also, who are some of the receivers that impressed him this spring and thoughts on the passing game. We get his thoughts on the other quarterback including Jimmy Sullivan, Ryan Fitzgerald, and Tradon Bessinger and we wrap up talking about learning from Tom Moore and Kirk Ferentz.
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Hawkeye Report Podcast 794
06/19/2026
Hawkeye Report Podcast 794
We continue our summer of podcasts on the Hawkeye Report Podcast and this is a great guest. We are joined by Iowa athletic director Beth Goetz to get caught up on everything going on with Hawkeye athletics. The conversation opens with a discussion of the upcoming renovation of Carver-Hawkeye Arena and the process to get to this point and what will be next starting this fall? Then we dive into the complicated world of Name, Image, and Likeness and how that process has gone for the Iowa athletic department in the last year or so. What has been the challenges and how have they dealt with the House settlement spending and the over the top spending that goes beyond the cap. How have they helped student-athletes with financial management? We also talk about how they have worked with Learfield to build partnerships with sponsors to get over the cap money to student-athletes. Goetz also discusses how they have are working to potentially get patches on jerseys and if that could be used to get more financial resources to players at Iowa. Then we dive into the new coaches and the satisfaction from making a good hire for an athletic director, as Goetz did with Ben McCollum. We talk about her participation on the hiring of a new women's soccer coach and as a former college soccer player and coach how that was important to her. Along with that we discuss the health of non-revenue sports. We also talk about the need to be well versed on the legislative side of things these days and get her thoughts on the Protect College Sports Act, which the Big Ten has opposed to this point. Finally we wrap up getting her thoughts on the sold out Savannah Bananas games coming to Kinnick Stadium on July 3rd and 4th.
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Hawkeye Report Podcast 793
06/16/2026
Hawkeye Report Podcast 793
We continue our summer series of podcast with special guests, this time with Iowa assistant football coach Jay Norvell. It's a fun, interesting, and informative podcast talking about his career as a player and coach. The podcast begins with Norvell talking about how a kid who grew up in Madison, Wisconsin ended up playing football at the University of Iowa. He talks about the influence that Hayden Fry and his staff had on him as a player and getting into coaching. We talk about the great 1985 Iowa football team and his memories of that season and the win over Michigan. Then we dive into his coaching career, including being part of the NFL and his long career as a college coach at various stops, as an assistant coach and head coach. We talk about how a guy who played defense as a player ends up coaching his entire career as an assistant on offense. He talks about play calling and why he likes to be on the sidelines during a game. After that we also discuss the addition of the great Tom Moore to the Iowa staff and what that will mean for the Iowa program to have someone who has basically seen it all in his coaching career. Norvell talks about the Iowa offense under Tim Lester and if there will be more passes thrown to running backs this season. Plus we look at the running back room this year for Iowa and how he could use the talent on hand. Finally we wrap up talking about his father, Merritt Norvell, who was a trailblazer in the world of college athletics and he we wrap up talking about what it has been like working for Kirk Ferentz.
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Hawkeye Report Podcast 792
06/09/2026
Hawkeye Report Podcast 792
On this edition of the Hawkeye Report Podcast, we get caught up on a several topics. Most of them involving Iowa athletics and the Hawkeyes, plus an extended conversation on the story of the week in college sports. Tom Kakert and Kyle Huesmann open the show wrapping up the Iowa baseball season. Huesmann goes in-depth on the overall season, the injuries to the pitchers that ended up impacting the overall season, and we look ahead to next year and the needs for Rick Heller's team. Then we talk some Iowa men's and women's basketball. We try to take an early look ahead regarding the possible starting lineups for both teams. What will Ben McCollum do with his starting lineup and will it continue to be focused on the defensive end of the floor? What about Jan Jensen and her team. Huesmann has a couple of interesting thoughts on what the Iowa head coach will end up doing this winter. Then we move over to the WNBA and talk about Caitlin Clark and the drama that just seems to follow her and the Indiana Fever at every turn. Plus she had a game winning three late in the win over Washington on Monday. Then we move over to football recruiting. Iowa had a pretty positive weekend, landing a pair of new recruits. We look at the new additions that bring the total number of commits in this class to 12. How much more would they like to add in what will end up being a smaller class? Finally, we dive into the story of the week, Bredan Sorsby, the Texas Tech quarterback, being able to get an injunction from a judge in Texas that will allow him to play for the Red Raiders even after gambling on his own team while he was at Indiana. What is our reaction to the news? What could happen next?
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Hawkeye Report Podcast 791
06/08/2026
Hawkeye Report Podcast 791
It's a special edition of the Hawkeye Report Podcast! We are joined by newly retired Big Ten official and Iowa City native, DJ Carstensen. We have a lot to discuss, beginning with how the former hoops standout and college player ended up being a high level basketball official. We talk about his time in Iowa City growing up during the 70's and early 80's when the Hawkeyes were flying high and attending basketball games in The Fieldhouse. How he worked camps at Iowa when the Hawkeyes were coached by greats like Lute Olsen, George Raveling, and Tom Davis. We look back at his time with officiating and how he rose up the ranks from working D2 and D3 games to calling high profile games in the Big Ten on a weekly basis before retiring at the end of this last season. We learn about his time calling games, how he was able work with coaches like Fran McCaffery, who could be colorful on the sidelines. We also discuss his work with Coaches vs. Cancer in upstate New York and how McCaffery and many other coahes he has met over the years have donated to the cause. We discuss the court decision today on allowing a player who bet on his own team to play college football and gambling in general on college sports and the feedback he got as a official. We talk about makeup calls and other falsehoods that fans might believe. Finally we discuss the shortage of officials and training the next group for the future of the games we love to see being played.
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Hawkeye Report Podcast 790
06/04/2026
Hawkeye Report Podcast 790
A good thirty minute podcast today including a great interview and a look at a huge recruiting weekend for Iowa football. First the interview. Tom Kakert visits with Iowa assistant coach Luke Barnwell about his first season as an assistant at the University of Iowa. We begin talking about the great run in the NCAA Tournament and particularly dive into the victory over Florida. A year earlier, Barnwell was at Texas Tech and part of the scout in the Elite Eight loss to Florida. One year later, he handled the scout when Iowa beat Florida to advance to the Sweet 16. He talks about that and the run and how he was also coping with the sudden loss of his father in early March. We then dive into what he learned working this year for Ben McCollum, along with the portal and player development that he saw this spring from several of the returning players. What has he seen from Trey Thompson and what can he do this season? What will Ethan Harris bring to the Hawkeyes and just how big is Andrew McKeever and how can they use the seven footer? Then we move over to football. It's a huge weekend with 18 prospects on campus, including 8 unocommitted players. We run down the entire list of uncommitted players and where they might be leaning. With a small class expected, what positions are a priority?
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Hawkeye Report Podcast 789
05/30/2026
Hawkeye Report Podcast 789
Another very special guest joins us on the podcast this week. This time it's Masters and Open champion Zach Johnson on the pod. Coming up on June 8th, Johnson will host his annual Zach Johnson Foundation Classic at Elmcrest Country Club in Cedar Rapids with seven other winners of majors joining him. More details can be found here: We talk about his foundation classic and the great golfers that will be joining him at the event. Then we dive into the talking about Iowa athletics and Hawkeye sports. We talk about the Iowa football program and the longevity of Kirk Ferentz as the head coach and his relationship with him. We talk about Iowa taking the now former Drake basketball coach (where Johnson went to college) and what he thought of the run by Ben McCollum in year one with the Hawkeye program. Then we get Johnson's prediction for Iowa football for this season and we also talk a little more golf and the upcoming events he will be playing in Iowa (for the first time) and the John Deere Classic in July.
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Hawkeye Report Podcast 788
05/28/2026
Hawkeye Report Podcast 788
Special guest on the latest edition of the Hawkeye Report Podcast. We are joined by the Head Coach of the Iowa women's basketball program, Jan Jensen, for a great conversation. Tom Kakert and Kyle Huesmann visit with Jensen about the newly announced two game series with UCONN that begins this season, along with the art of non-conference scheduling today. We talk about the new additions to the Iowa women's basketball roster via the transfer portal and the impact that they could have this year. How will it impact how they operate on the offensive end of the floor and that they will adjust with more of a four out look on that side. We talk about the upcoming arrival of five star forward McKenna Woliczko and what she will bring to the table once she arrives in early June. Jensen discusses how she can play a variety of different roles this winter. Is there a player that has really elevated their game since the end of the season? Jensen gives us a very candid answer on the player that has jumped up and how the team has responded to the disappointing end to what was a very good season last year.
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Hawkeye Report Podcast 787
05/27/2026
Hawkeye Report Podcast 787
We continue our in-depth coverage of Iowa men's basketball recruiting, specifically the 2027 point guard group. In this edition of the Hawkeye Report Podcast, we are joined by Jamie Shaw, who is the senior basketball recruiting analyst for Rivals.com and On3.com to get his views on the long list of prospects that Iowa and Ben McCollum continue to explore. We get Shaw's thoughts on Cayden Daughtry, TJ Jamison, Jaxson Davis, Jalen Davis, Antonio Pemerberton, and the latest rumbling on the recruitment of 2027 point guard Davion Thompson. What are his thoughts on each of the players and which schools are all of those players considering? It's a great rundown of the news and we also get Shaw's thoughts on Iowa's run in the NCAA Tournament and Bennett Stirtz success potentially paying off for the Hawkeyes on the recruiting trail.
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Hawkeye Report Podcast 786
05/25/2026
Hawkeye Report Podcast 786
It's a special holiday edition of the Hawkeye Report Podcast. While the rest of the world is enjoying a relaxing Memorial Day, Tom Kakert and Matt Randazzo and putting together nearly an hour of podcast content for Iowa fans to listen to. The main topic this week is 2027 men's basketball recruiting. Tom Kakert spent the last two weekends on the road watching most of the top point guard prospects on Ben McCollum's radar and that is what we are discussing. We learn more about his clear top choice among the point guards and why all five or perhaps six on Iowa's radar would be home run additions to the Hawkeye program. We run down all six, including a new name that is actually an old name that has apparently jumped back on to the radar for the Hawkeyes. We discuss one of the prospects planning an official visit to Iowa in June and if there is a chance that he commits. Plus where things stand with the rest of the group of recruits. Then we move over to football where the Big Ten is set to announce the start times for the non-conference games, plus other select contests this season coming up on Wednesday. We went down the entire Iowa football schedule and speculated on the start times for those early season games, along with the rest of the schedule, including the Nebraska game on Black Friday.
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Hawkeye Report Podcast 785
05/18/2026
Hawkeye Report Podcast 785
It's a special edition of the Hawkeye Report Podcast to open the week. We are joined by the Iowa men's basketball chief of staff, Jesse Shaw as we look back on a great season and look ahead to the future. We open talking about the first year at Iowa for Ben McCollum and his staff and how they were able to establish the culture for this program and the success they enjoyed reaching the Elite Eight. We talk about Shaw and his role during games where he is in charge of match-up's on the court and the process he goes through to plan ahead and adjust during the game. Part of his job is to coach rebounding on the team and that was an issue at times and overall during the season. He reflects back to the Elite Eight game and how they lost the glass in that game. Then we slide over to the newest addition to the Iowa roster, 7 -foot-3 center Andrew McKeever and why they went after him and what he will bring to the table from a rebounding perspective and the impact that will have on the team. We also discuss roster managment and the possible impact of 5 for 5 on a roster and recruiting moving forward. The impact that the post season run had and is that a proof of concept moment for McCollum and this program. Also the amazing success that McCollum has in a tournament setting. Finally, how superstitious is McCollum and how deep does it go?
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Hawkeye Report Podcast 784
05/12/2026
Hawkeye Report Podcast 784
It's another busy edition of the Hawkeye Report Podcast. Tom Kakert and Matt Randazzo open the pod this week talking about the news from Monday that Ben McCollum officially signed his contract extension. What does it mean for the program and how long will McCollum be at Iowa? Then we look at the Big Ten foes, both home and away and two plays for the Hawkeyes next season in men's basketball. What do we think of the early ranking for Iowa men's hoops over at Bart Torvik's site? He has Iowa 44th in the country and 12th among Big Ten schools. Is that way too low? We also discuss the expansion of the NCAA Tournament and Bennett Stirtz is at the NBA Combine and measured in today. What do we think of his chances of being drafted in mid to late first round of the NBA Draft next month? Then we move over to football where the big news last week was Iowa playing a game on a Friday evening at Washington. How much more difficult was that make an already challenging three game stretch that includes a trip to MIchigan, followed by a home game against Ohio State before traveling a day early to Seattle? Does that change our overall outlook on the season? Finally we dive into the world of recruiting. Iowa has ten verbal commitments and they picked up a quarterback recently. What are our thoughts from the recruiting trail?
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Hawkeye Report Podcast 783
05/05/2026
Hawkeye Report Podcast 783
It's a special edition of the Hawkeye Report Podcast. Today we are joined by the head of the Iowa Swarm Collective, Brad Heinrichs to discuss the rebranding of his organization and why that needed to take place. We also discuss three very unique and interesting events coming up during the month of May and June in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport involving great songwriters from Nashville and special performances of their songs. You can get more details here: We also discuss how the College Sports Commission and NIL review process has been a real challenge for everyone involved, particularly the student-athletes. Also how that has impacted the ability for collectives to distribute NIL money for opportunities that they have provided to student-athletes. Then we talk a whole lot of Iowa football and get into who we think the starting quarterback will be this fall at this early date. What we think of the running back room and the receivers, which could be the strongest group in a long time in Iowa City. Then we look at the defense, where we have concerns up front for the Hawkeyes and how the linebackers and secondary are looking after spring ball. We also talk some Iowa men's basketball and the great run. What did Brad think of the performance and how important it was for the Hawkeyes to do this in the first year to get Iowa fans back involved with the team. Can Hawkeye fans fully support both men's and women's basketball this winter? Also, we talk about the future of college athletics and if non-revenue sports are going to on the chopping block in the future with the cost of college athletics rising each and every year while schools try to pay for student-athletes.
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Hawkeye Report Podcast 782
04/28/2026
Hawkeye Report Podcast 782
It's a post spring practice edition of the Hawkeye Report Podcast and we are thrilled to be joined by Scott Dochterman from The Athletic to discuss what we learned about the Iowa football team this past Saturday. We open talking about the offensvie side of the ball, including the quarterback position. How long into fall camp will that race go and is there a leader or a tell from head coach Kirk Ferentz. After that we move to the receivers and the excitement about some of the new faces and returning players. Plus the great run of success that the Hawkeyes have enjoyed along the offensive line. How does that group shape up this fall? Then we move over to defense, where there appears to be quite a few question marks on that side of the ball. We discuss our biggest area of concern, which is along the defensive line, where there are a group of young players, but they are inexperienced in terms of snaps. We talk about Cam Buffington probably starting in the middle and the job that Jayden Montgomery has done since last year and his move to a different position. We wrap up talking about the defensive backfield and how everything will seeingly be fitted around where Phil Parker has to place Zach Lutmer. We also dive into the world of Iowa's special teams, which is very different this year and what we feel good about with that group of players. Finally we wrap up talking about the Hawkeyes in the NFL Draft. It was a record haul of Iowa players this year, particularly to Pittsburgh, who hosted the draft. What were our takeaways and we also look ahead to who might be drafted next year from the Iowa roster and how it might be from the junior or even third year sophomore class.
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Hawkeye Report Podcast 781
04/21/2026
Hawkeye Report Podcast 781
Iowa fans, it's time for one of our special podcasts that we do each year. Starting Thursday, The Chuck Long Charity Auction will be open for on-line bidding. Each year the event raises money for the Children's Therapy Center of the Quad Cities. This will be the 29th edition of the event that has raised over three million dollars helping children and famiies in the QC area. We are joined by Chuck Long and Angie Peterson to discuss the history of the event and how important it was it is to the families who might not be able to afford the care. We also talk about the great Hawkeye items that are up for auction, along with all kinds of other sports items and plenty of high end adult beverages, and various cool items for men and women. Please register and get your bids in today at this link:
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Hawkeye Report Podcast 780
04/19/2026
Hawkeye Report Podcast 780
It's Sunday and we finally have some news for the transfer portal for the Iowa men's basketball team. Ben McCollum has landed a pair of prospects in the last couple of days and we are here to discuss it. Tom Kakert and Matt Randazzo fired up the podcast machine to discuss the latest news. We open our discussion with the Hawkeyes landing Illinois State guard Ty'Reek Coleman and what he brings to the table. We talk about his overal game and stats an the fact that he can play three more years at the D1 level and how he fits into the Hawkeyes future plans at the guard position. Then we move on to the biggest addition in 7-foot-3 center Andrew McKeever. He made his commitment official on Saturday and the Hawkeyes beat out schools like UCONN and others to land the big man who is transferring from St. Mary's. We discuss what he will bring to the table from an offensive and defensive perspective. Will he immediately move into a starting role? After that we dive into a potential starting lineup for next year based on what they have on the roster now? Which five players are now likely to start and who might be the new faces in the lineup? Will Ben McCollum lean on veterans starting next year and continue to sub early on? We also ask what's next? What is the status of the appeal or Tavion Banks? Could he be back for one more year? Is Iowa done in the transfer portal during this cycle? Could they look for help at one more position?
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Hawkeye Report Podcast 779
04/16/2026
Hawkeye Report Podcast 779
It's a Thursday afternoon podcast with Tom Kakert and Kyle Huesmann. We have plenty to discuss heading into the weekend with the Hawkeyes. We open the show talking women's basketball. Huesmann gives us an update on the Iowa women's basketball team in the transfer portal and the latest addition to the team. We also talk about other potential additions that they are working on to the team. After that we are moving on to the Iowa men's team, who are waiting for their first portal addition for next season. We update where things stand with the targets that have emerged and what we are heading. We also update where Alvaro Folgueiras might be headed in the portal. Finally we move on to Iowa football and react to the NCAA coming down on Kirk Ferentz for something that happened over three years ago and that he had already admitted to and submitted his own level of punishment. Meanwhile, there are coaches every day committing worse NCAA crimes, including the usual stuff like contacting players to try to lure them into the transfer portal. We also rundown what we learned about the race for the starting quarterback job and what new running backs coach Jay Norvell had to say to the media.
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Hawkeye Report Podcast 778
04/13/2026
Hawkeye Report Podcast 778
The transfer portal is wide open and as usually completely wild with twists and turns each and every day. Tom Kakert and Kyle Huesmann break down all the latest news on the men's and women's transfer portal and the Iowa Hawkeyes targets. We start with the women's side of the portal because Jan Jensen landed her biggest target this cycle. We discuss the shooting guard addition for the Iowa women's team and how it will impact the squad immediately starting this winter. What will it mean for the lineup moving forward? What else do the Iowa women need to land and who are some of the targets on their radar? Then we move over to the men's transfer portal, where as of Sunday evening, Ben McCollum has not landed a target. Where do things stand? Who is on campus and what are Iowa's shot with a big center prospect? Who are some of the other targets that the Iowa coaches are looking at in the transfer portal? What are Iowa's needs in this portal cycle? After that we talk some football recruiting. Iowa missed out on quarterback Jake Nawrot from the Chicago area. He as a legacy recruit and the #2 quarterback in the country according to Rivals.com. What happened for Iowa to miss out on him and why did Kentucky end up landing the talented quarterback? Who is Iowa's main target in the Class of 2027?
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