Iowa football lineman highlights importance of opting into bowl games

As No. 23 Iowa football (8-4, 6-3 Big Ten) prepares for its ReliaQuest Bowl matchup against No. 14 Vanderbilt (10-2, 6-2 SEC), Hawkeyes’ sophomore offensive lineman Trevor Lauck discussed why Iowa’s roster is committed to playing in its upcoming bowl game.

In a college football climate where the influence of NIL opportunities and the transfer portal steer many away from playing in bowl games, Lauck commented on how the Hawkeyes view the ReliaQuest Bowl as a chance to finish the season the right way.

“I feel like the point of college football is to go out there and win games with your team,” Lauck said.

“I feel like people kind of lose track of that when it comes to the bowl season. It kind of turns into people thinking about themselves, and that’s why I’m super fortunate to be here at a school like this. It’s still a team. No one’s really thinking about themselves right now. This is still the 2025 season, and we want to finish it strong.”

Lauck has played in 15 games as a Hawkeye, including all 12 contests this season at left tackle, and is one of the key contributors to Iowa’s dominant offensive line, which is one of three finalists for the Joe Moore Award.

Although no member of the Hawkeyes has opted out of the ReliaQuest Bowl, running back Terrell Washington Jr. reportedly will enter his name into the transfer portal when it opens on Jan. 2, 2026.

The ReliaQuest Bowl will take place at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., on Dec. 31. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT and will be broadcast on ESPN.

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