D.J. Vonnahme aims for breakout season at Iowa

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 19, 2026, 3:47 AM

Last updated Aug 19, 2026

D.J. Vonnahme aims for breakout season at Iowa

Summary

Iowa tight end D.J. Vonnahme prepares for the upcoming season, following a strong finish last year. In his third season, Vonnahme showcased his potential during the 2026 ReliaQuest Bowl against Vanderbilt, recording seven receptions for 146 yards and one touchdown. This performance marked the second-most receiving yards for a tight end in Iowa's history. Head coach Kirk Ferentz highlighted Vonnahme's growth and emphasized the need for experienced players to step up as the Hawkeyes aim for a higher scoring average this season. Iowa begins its campaign on September 5 against Northern Illinois.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Status Watch

•Vonnahme caught seven passes for 146 yards in the 2026 ReliaQuest Bowl.
•Iowa seeks to average over 30 points per game this season.
•Vonnahme aims to remove hesitation and play faster this year.
•The Hawkeyes' season opener is on September 5 against Northern Illinois.

Latest Updates

3:47 AMYahoo Sports — Iowa star D.J. Vonnahme looks to shift to a higher gear this season

What they're saying

"
The list goes on and on when talking about successful tight ends at the University of Iowa. Sam LaPorta, T.J. Hockenson, Noah Fant, George Kittle, Tony Moeaki, Dallas Clark… the list seems to be never-ending. The Hawkeyes earned the nickname “Tight End U” for a reason. After an injury set Addison Ostrenga’s promising career back […]
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

Football