Iowa football DB 'iffy' for Week 1 vs. Northern Illinois

Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz met with the media on Wednesday morning.

Among his fall camp updates, Ferentz said that safety Tyler Brown is "iffy" for Week 1. Brown, a transfer from James Madison, has been battling a muscle strain during camp .

Brown started all 14 games for James Madison in 2025 at free safety, totaling 80 tackles six pass breakups, five tackles for loss, one sack and one interception in 14 games for the Dukes in 2025. He was also an honorable mention All-Sun Belt defensive back.

Iowa safety Tyler Brown is “iffy” for week one due to a soft tissue injury. Has not worked this fall camp. Zach Lutmer and Villanova transfer Anthony Hawkins will start at safety with Jacob Wallace at the CASH.

— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) August 26, 2026 Ferentz said that fourth-year defensive back Zach Lutmer and Villanova transfer Anthony Hawkins would start at safety and second-year Jacob Wallace would start at CASH.

Lutmer started all 13 games last season, registering 71 tackles, seven pass breakups, 5.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions and one sack. Hawkins was a freshman All-American safety after totaling 59 tackles, four tackles for loss and a pair of interceptions last season at Villanova.

Wallace played in three games last season, recording five tackles.

This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football DB 'iffy' for Week 1 vs. Northern Illinois