Former FCS rushing leader L.J. Phillips commits to Iowa Hawkeyes

L.J. Phillips Jr., the 2025 FCS rushing leader, committed to the Iowa Hawkeyes after entering the transfer portal on Jan 12. Phillips led all FCS rushers in 2025 with 1,920 yards on 295 carries and finished his South Dakota career with 2,193 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns. He arrives at Iowa with two years of eligibility remaining.

Iowa announced the commitment, and the addition immediately alters the Hawkeyes' backfield outlook. Phillips’ 295 carries last season signal a proven workhorse accustomed to a heavy workload, the kind of dependable production Big Ten front lines value when game plans call for consistent, clock-eating rushing. For a program that emphasizes physical, ball-control football, a high-volume rusher offers immediate roster depth and play-calling flexibility.

For South Dakota, Phillips’ departure closes a chapter in a Coyote offense that leaned on him heavily in 2025. The move also creates a clear opening for younger backs on the roster to step into every-down roles and for the Coyotes’ staff to explore committee options or seek reinforcements from the portal. FCS fans will watch closely to see which carry his former teammates inherit and how South Dakota adapts its offense without its leading yardage producer.

The commitment matters beyond individual stats. For Iowa, Phillips provides two seasons of eligibility that can impact recruiting and short-term production. Hawkeye coaches can lean on him in 2026 while developing long-term options, and his presence could influence game-day rotations, pass protection packages, and red-zone planning. For opponents, game-planning now must include a proven FCS rusher who can move the chains and impose a physical tempo.

Community relevance stretches to both fan bases. Iowa supporters gain a clear candidate to bolster the ground game and protect turnovers, while South Dakota fans face a sudden opportunity to showcase emerging backs and recruit to fill the void. FCS followers get another reminder that the transfer portal continues to reshape rosters and that high-level production at the FCS level can translate into Power Five opportunities.

Next steps to watch: how Phillips assimilates during Iowa’s spring practice and whether he slots in as a starter or a rotational load-bearer, the Hawkeyes’ released depth charts, and how South Dakota replaces his carries. Expect the portal ripple effects to continue, with Phillips’ move serving as both a boost for Iowa and a turning point for the Coyote backfield.