The Iowa Hawkeyes are preparing for their Music City Bowl match against the Missouri Tigers in a week. However, they have also been very active in the NCAA transfer portal.

Kirk Ferentz is trying to make Iowa a Big Ten contender again. To reach this level, the team still has to put in a lot of work.

On Monday, the Hawkeyes secured their second transfer portal commitment. Hank Brown, the former Auburn Tigers quarterback, was the first. Now they have signed a defensive lineman.

Iowa beat rival Nebraska Cornhuskers and signed former Central Michigan defensive lineman Jonah Pace.

Pace has a chance to be a crucial player for the Hawkeyes in 2025. During the 2024 season, Pace recorded 34 total tackles, along with four sacks, one forced fumble and two passes defensed.

At 6-foot-10 and 285 pounds, Pace brings great size to the defense. He has shown flashes of great pass-rushing ability and will be able to work with a coaching staff that has helped develop many great defensive players.

Currently, the Hawkeyes have both Aaron Graves and Jeremiah Pittman on the line. Pace will be able to add much-needed depth.

Will Hubert and Luke Gaffney are two other defensemen to keep an eye on. Last season, however, it was clear that Iowa needed some help in that area of ​​its defense.

At this point, the 2025 season will be Pace’s final season of eligibility. Hopefully he can lead the Hawkeyes to a successful season and make the most of his one-year move to the Big Ten.

It will be interesting to see what impact Pace can have in the 2025 college football season.