As the Iowa Hawkeyes prepare for the 2026 football season, there’s a lot still up in the air. A few key positions remain open, and that’s made fall camp a lot more interesting than usual.
One of the most heated competitions? The punter spot. Two newcomers—Tanner Philpott and Boston Everitt—are going head-to-head. With Chris Polizzi stepping in as the new special teams coordinator and several veterans gone, the pressure’s on. Special teams are definitely under the microscope this year.
The Contenders: Tanner Philpott and Boston Everitt
Tanner Philpott arrives via transfer from Simpson College in Des Moines. He graduated from Waukee Northwest in 2024 and spent two seasons at Simpson, sharpening his game. Philpott’s background in American football gives him a certain comfort level with the basics, especially when it comes to those tight spiral punts.
Last year at Simpson, he averaged 43.9 yards on 40 punts. That put him third in Division III, which is nothing to scoff at.
On the flip side, Boston Everitt brings something totally different. He’s a second-year punter from the University of Melbourne, Australia. He’s grown up playing Australian Football, so this is actually his first time in American football. But don’t count him out—his leg strength is impressive, and he’s got a knack for mixing up punt styles.
Everitt’s unpredictable kicks could give returners headaches. There’s a bit of mystery to his game, and that might work in his favor.
Philpott’s Credentials
Jumping from Division III to the Big Ten is a leap, no doubt. Philpott’s 2025 stats at Simpson College were solid:
- 43.9 yards average on 40 punts
- 16 punts inside the 20-yard line
- 11 punts over 50 yards
Philpott says the competition is tougher in the Big Ten, but the basics of punting haven’t changed much for him.
Everitt’s Unique Skill Set
Everitt’s background in Australian Football gives him a fresh take on punting. He’s focused solely on punting since coming to Iowa, and that’s helped him adjust to the American game pretty fast.
Coaches have noticed his progress. His raw leg strength stands out, and his ability to change things up mid-game could be a real asset.
The Role of Chris Polizzi
Chris Polizzi is taking over as special teams coordinator, filling the spot left by LeVar Woods, who’s headed to Michigan State. Polizzi’s got experience—he was co-special teams coordinator at UT-Martin in 2018 and 2019, then their defensive coordinator.
He’s all about consistency. Polizzi has said both Philpott and Everitt are pretty much even right now, and he likes what he’s seeing from both.
Polizzi’s Philosophy
Polizzi stresses that steady hands are everything for a punter. He’s not tipping his hand on who’s ahead, which keeps things interesting. The competition could easily stretch into the regular season.
The Importance of Special Teams
With Iowa’s offense sputtering the last few years, special teams have become a lifeline. The Hawkeyes have landed in the top-10 of ESPN’s Bill Connelly’s SP+ special teams rankings for two straight seasons.
They’re hoping to keep that streak alive, even with so many new faces.
Core Strengths
Head coach Kirk Ferentz remains confident in the core special teams group—especially the gunners and coverage guys. There are still battles going on for punter, kicker, and long snapper.
Return specialist is also up for grabs. With Kaden Wetjen gone, Zach Lutmer is starting to look like a possible replacement, but nothing’s set in stone yet.
Looking Ahead
The competition for the punter position is just one of many battles happening during Iowa’s fall camp. As the season opener creeps closer, all eyes are on who can show the most consistency and reliability.
Philpott and Everitt have both flashed the skills to excel. Still, the final call will come down to what they show in the next few weeks.
If you’re after more detailed updates on Iowa football or want to follow the ongoing battles during fall camp, check out the live updates from 247Sports.
There’s always hope Iowa’s offense will take a step forward, making punting less of a necessity. But let’s be real—having a steady punter is never a bad thing, and both Philpott and Everitt seem up for the task.
Who ends up the most consistent? That’s still up in the air, and honestly, the competition’s making things interesting.
Stick around for more updates as the Hawkeyes get ready for what could be a pretty eventful season.
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