The Iowa Hawkeyes were bound for plenty of changes when they fired Fran McCaffrey, and that was the truth as seven players entered the transfer portal, most of whom were huge contributors. Iowa then hired Ben McCollum, who heads to Iowa City after one season leading the Drake Bulldogs. So Drake hero Bennett Stirtz had a decision to make. That decision was made as Stirtz followed his coach transferring from Drake to Iowa.
Stirtz made the news official that he would be entering the portal and following his coach to the Hawkeyes. It doesn’t come as much of a surprise, given the lack of returning talent at Drake and his connection with McCollum.
BREAKING: Drake star Bennett Stirtz tells @TheFieldOf68 that he will be entering the transfer portal. …
And following Ben McCollum to Iowa.
HUGE news for the Hawkeyes. pic.twitter.com/u9g6AZCZh3
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) March 25, 2025
Star Player Bennett Stritz Follows Coach Ben McCollum to Iowa
Everyone was wondering what the first big move for coach McCollum was going to be, and for him to convince Bennett to follow him, there has to be some good momentum for the program. Stirtz’s loyalty to McCollum has been huge. He’s played three collegiate seasons, all for McCollum. First at the Divison II level at Northwest Missouri State and then this season at Drake. It’s also been reported that he will test the NBA draft waters but is more likely to return to college and suit up for Iowa. Assuming Stirtz returns to school he’ll be a massive addition for Iowa.
Iowa’s Getting a Star Ready for the Big Ten
So what are the Hawkeyes getting in Stirtz? Well, they are getting a player who gives it his all on the floor. He averaged 19.2 points per game for the Bulldogs this season. Not to mention he was clutch in helping Drake reach the Round of 32 after upsetting Missouri in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Not only did Stirtz score nearly 700 points for the Bulldogs this season. In his two seasons at the D2 level, he nearly scored 1,000 points and shot 38 percent from the three-point line. Iowa has long loved its three-point shooting making Stirtz a natural fit. There’s no doubt at this time that he’s the most talented player Iowa has going into the 2025-26 season.
His Addition Stops the Bleeding for Now
Sure, coach McCollum has plenty more work to do, especially since Iowa has lost all five of its top scorers this season. Payton Sandfort through graduation. While Josh Dix, Owen Freeman, Pryce Sandfort, and Brock Harding all hit the portal. At least having Bennett in the fold gives the team a little stability. Fear not, Iowa Hawkeye fans. Coach McCollum was the right hire, and he’s hitting the ground running. To have Bennett Stirtz in the fold is a blessing.
Photo credit: © Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
