For years, Iowa football fans have waited patiently for a game-changing wide receiver out of the transfer portal.
The Hawkeyes have had some decent success recently, bringing in guys like Sam Phillips and Seth Anderson, but fans have been itching for more. While those players added some nice elements to the Tim Lester offense, they’ve both graduated now and leave a big hole that Iowa needs to fill this offseason.
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Iowa began the process of plugging that hole at wide receiver on Friday, when it landed a commitment from someone who could end up being that game-changing, pass-catching commit that fans have been waiting for.
Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports was the first to report that Texas Rio Grande Valley transfer wide receiver Tony Diaz has committed to the Hawkeyes.
Diaz is a highly sought-after wide receiver in the transfer portal, even picking up an offer from Alabama earlier this week. The 5-foot-11, 176-pound receiver had an excellent 2025 season with the Vaqueros. Diaz hauled in 67 receptions for 881 yards and 11 touchdowns as a redshirt freshman. That performance led to him being named the Southland Conference Freshman of the Year, as well as being named an FCS freshman All-American.
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Diaz comes to Iowa City with three years of eligibility remaining and figures to slot in right away as a huge contributor in the wide receiver room. Reece Vander Zee and Dayton Howard are set to return and will be focal points on the outside, while Diaz should fit like a glove in the slot. Throw in tight end DJ Vonnahme and a deep running back room, and whichever quarterback starts next season will have plenty of weapons to utilize.
Diaz is the eighth transfer to pick the Hawkeyes out of the portal and to make his way to Iowa City for the 2026 season. While Iowa is losing a lot of talent to graduation and to the portal, Kirk Ferentz and company are doing a great job replenishing the cupboard this offseason.
Diaz could very well wind up being their best pick-up of all in this portal window.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football lands transfer portal commitment from UTRGV WR Tony Diaz
