Iowa football add two more to 2026 freshmen class

IOWA CITY — The Hawkeyes’ freshmen class has grown by two with spring practices a few months away.

Iowa football announced two additional signees to its 2026 class Wednesday morning, bringing the program’s incoming class to 24 student-athletes. The two new Hawkeyes will join the program as preferred walk-ons, growing the group to six athletes — five of whom all hailing from the Hawkeye State.

Eli Kampman, Solon High School

Solon High School athlete Eli Kampman was the first of the two to announce his commitment, doing so on Instagram Wednesday morning. Kampman played as a high school quarterback, but has signed with Iowa as a safety, according to the university’s announcement on social media.

Solon High School reached the Class 3A semifinals last season, with Kampman completing 61-percent of his passes (145-236) for 2,230 passing yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in his 11-1 season. Kampman also recorded 27 tackles, two forced fumbles and two interceptions on defense.

Kampman is also the son of former Hawkeye Aaron Kampman (1998-2001), playing for both Hayden Fry and Kirk Ferentz, before being drafted to the NFL in the fifth round by the Green Bay Packers in 2002.

Matty McLaughlin, De Smet Jesuit High

Missouri-native Matty McLaughlin announced his commitment to Iowa back on Jan. 16, earning an offer from newly named special teams coordinator Chris Polizzi just two days earlier. McLaughlin will join the program as a long snapper.

McLaughlin had offers from Vanderbilt, Iowa State, Kansas State, Air Force, Nebraska and Louisville.

McLaughlin will join sophomore Ike Speltz as part of the program’s long snapper duo, after Bryant Worrell extinguished his final year of eligibility last season.

The Hawkeyes’ 2026 season begins on Sept. 5 against Northern Illinois, with Kampman and McLaughlin now apart of 40 athletes, including the 16 transfer portal signees, included in the upcoming season.

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