Iowa Kicker Eli Ozick Faces Stiff Competition for Starting Job

Ozick, a transfer from North Dakota State, is battling for the Hawkeyes' placekicking duties this spring.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 8:26pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a football kicker's motion broken down into overlapping planes of color and shape, with the football as the central focal point.The battle for Iowa's starting placekicker role this spring is a complex dance of competing styles and perspectives, as the Hawkeyes look to solidify their special teams unit.Iowa City Today

Eli Ozick, a transfer kicker from North Dakota State, is facing a competitive battle for the starting placekicking job at the University of Iowa this spring. Ozick, who played soccer in high school before discovering his talent for football kicking, saw a familiar face from his hometown during a recent visit to Iowa City - the father of one of his high school teammates, who is also competing for the Hawkeyes' kicking duties.

Why it matters

The Hawkeyes' kicking game has been a point of emphasis this offseason, with the team looking to solidify their special teams unit after some inconsistency in recent years. Ozick's arrival as a transfer adds an experienced leg to the competition, but he'll have to fend off the challenge from his former high school teammate and others to earn the starting job.

The details

During a recent visit to Iowa City, Ozick ran into Roger Stirtz, the father of his former high school teammate Bennett Stirtz, who is also competing to be the Hawkeyes' placekicker this spring. Ozick, who played soccer in high school before discovering his talent for football kicking, is looking to transfer his skills to the Division I level after spending time at North Dakota State. He's receiving advice from Iowa's special teams coach as well as private kicking coaches to help him win the starting job.

  • Ozick visited Iowa City in January to attend a basketball game.
  • Ozick transferred to Iowa after playing at North Dakota State.

The players

Eli Ozick

A transfer kicker from North Dakota State who is competing for the starting placekicking job at the University of Iowa this spring.

Bennett Stirtz

Ozick's former high school teammate from Liberty High School in Missouri, who is also competing for the Hawkeyes' kicking duties.

Roger Stirtz

The father of Bennett Stirtz, who is the gym teacher and basketball coach at Liberty High School in Missouri, where Ozick attended high school.

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What they’re saying

“During his high school career, Ozick was a soccer player and eventually he dabbled in kicking a football. He found out he was good at it and the rest is, as they say, history.”

— Tom Kakert, Author

What’s next

Ozick and the other kickers will continue to compete throughout Iowa's spring practice sessions, with the coaching staff evaluating their performance to determine the starting placekicker for the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The battle for Iowa's placekicking job this spring highlights the importance of special teams in college football, as the Hawkeyes look to solidify that aspect of their team. Ozick's arrival as a transfer adds an experienced option, but he'll have to fend off challenges from his former high school teammate and others to earn the starting role.