ESPN predicts Iowa football star to take home high honors in 2026

The hype is starting to turn into a national, palpable buzz for one of Phil Parker's up-and-coming stars on the Iowa Hawkeyes' defense. His versatile defensive back, Zach Lutmer, is in a prime position to become Iowa's next great defensive back.

In a long line of stars who have excelled in Phil Parker's secondary, Lutmer found his stride during 2025 and is back with Iowa for another run at things in 2026. His play last year has him garnering national attention from ESPN, which has already predicted him as this year's Jim Thorpe Award winner.

19. Iowa Hawkeyes

2025 record: 9-4, 6-3 Big Ten

S Zach Lutmer, Jim Thorpe Award

Iowa hasn't had a Thorpe winner since Desmond King in 2015, but the Hawkeyes have since produced the Big Ten's Defensive Back of the Year four times. Lutmer earned second-team All-Big Ten honors last fall as a true sophomore, his first season as a starter. He had three interceptions, including a pick-six; a fumble recovery; seven pass breakups; 5.5 tackles for loss; and 71 total tackles. Lutmer has the natural playmaking ability needed to enter the radar for the Thorpe Award and will have even more responsibility at Iowa's cash position (nickel cornerback/outside linebacker hybrid) because much of the starting defense is turning over. -- Adam Rittenberg