It's been 87 years since a Hawkeye brought home the Heisman Trophy. Back in 1939, Iowa legend Nile Kinnick claimed the program's only Heisman, leading the team to a 6-1-1 record with dazzling play through the air and on the ground. Since then, the Hawkeyes have built their identity on team-first football rather than individual stardom.

But that might be changing. CBS Sports has given Iowa fans a reason to dream, tabbing veteran running back Kamari Moulton as a Heisman longshot — if he can find his rhythm behind a remade offensive line.

In a recent feature predicting one potential Heisman winner from each top 25 team, CBS Sports analyst Shehan Jeyarajah highlighted Moulton as a dark horse candidate. "No Iowa players are listed in Heisman odds, but the Hawkeyes might quietly have themselves an interesting young back in Moulton," Jeyarajah wrote. "Across the first two years of his career, Moulton has averaged 5.3 yards per carry and cleared 1,200 yards on the ground for a steadily improving offense. While he will have to overcome turnover on the offensive line, Moulton could easily be a highly productive running back."

Now entering his fourth year with the program, Moulton has appeared in 27 games with 10 starts. After spending time behind Kaleb Johnson during the 2024 season, he saw an increased workload in 2025. Last year, Moulton rumbled for 878 yards on 170 carries and found the end zone five times.

The biggest challenge for Moulton in 2026 might not be his own ability or the offensive line — it's the depth in Iowa's backfield. The room is packed with talent, including Xavier Williams, Nathan McNeil, and L.J. Phillips, all of whom are more than capable of carrying the load. Still, if Moulton can separate himself from the pack and keep those legs churning, he just might give Hawkeye fans something they haven't seen in nearly nine decades: a legitimate Heisman contender.