Former Hawkeye Turns Panther via Transfer Portal

Offensive guard for Iowa Josh Volk announced his plans to enter the transfer portal on November 29, less than a week after the Hawkeyes' 24-17 loss to Nebraska. The former Cedar Rapids Xavier prep is now headed an hour and a half north and is set to don purple and gold.

As he announced on Twitter on Tuesday, December 20, Volk has taken the opportunity to use his final three years of eligibility to play for Coach Mark Farley and the UNI Panthers.

Over his tenure in Iowa City, Volk saw limited action on offense and special teams. Despite the lack of production coming in, Volk could make a quick impact considering the starters upfront will almost be completely new for Northern Iowa in 2023. UNI lost Erik Sorensen (C), Justin Peine (RG), Matthew Vanderslice (LT), and Nick Ellis (RT) to graduation.

The lone returning full-time starter is Jared Penning (LG), younger brother of current New Orleans Saints left tackle and first-round pick, Trevor Penning. Tristian Roper and Blake Anderson also return after filling in for Ellis and Peine throughout the season. Ben Kuehnast, a freshman who was a three-star tackle out of high school will come back with four years of eligibility remaining, too.

Even with Jared Penning and several experienced linemen returning, having a talented lineman like Volk coming in is a huge victory for the Panther OL.

Also ranked as a three-star recruit out of high school, the Cedar Rapids native was offered scholarships by Iowa, Iowa State, and Nebraska. He also received interest from Notre Dame, Michigan State, Stanford, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and others.

Volk will join two former Iowa teammates on the roster in Cedar Falls, wide receiver Desmond Hutson and defensive lineman Brennan Sweeney.