ESPN picks under-the-radar Iowa football player

With the departures of TJ Hall and Xavier Nwankpa to the NFL, the back end of the Iowa Hawkeyes' defense is going to be ushering in some new faces. While Phil Parker's secondary could look a bit different, two familiar faces are returning and primed to break out.

Zach Lutmer burst onto the scene last year and made his mark, which figures to only grow in 2026, as he is a proven and versatile chess piece on defense. He isn't the only defensive back ready to show out this season. ESPN looked at every top 25 team, which has Iowa at No. 19, and dug into one under-the-radar player.

Deshaun Lee, a defensive back out of Michigan, who has spent time in this scheme, is ESPN's under-the-radar player for the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2026.

19. Iowa Hawkeyes

2025 record: 9-4, 6-3 Big Ten

Under-the-radar player: CB Deshaun Lee. Hawkeyes defensive backs who have played as much as has under an elite coordinator in Phil Parker typically save their best season for last. Lee was pretty good in 2025, recording two interceptions, six pass breakups and 29 solo tackles, proving he can hold up well in space. He enters his senior season with 25 career starts at cornerback, recording 16 passes defended and 76 solo tackles (out of 108 total). Safety  likely will generate more attention entering the season, but watch out for Lee as a playmaker on the edge. --