Riley Donald

Riley Donald

Joined: May 27, 2026

Riley Donald, a former NCAA student-athlete, played four years of college football and was a team captain at Augustana College. He has spent nearly five years at USA TODAY Sports covering Iowa football, Iowa men’s basketball, and Iowa women’s basketball, along with a broader coverage focusing primarily on Big Ten football and basketball. Began covering the Dallas Cowboys. Radio guest on several ESPN stations discussing Iowa football, the NFL draft, and more.

Aug 9, 2025; Iowa wide receiver Reece Vander Zee (15) lines up during the Hawkeyes Kids Day NCAA football open practice at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Cress for the Des Moines Register

Iowa City West wide receiver and linebacker Julian Manson is pictured after practice Sept. 10, 2025 in Iowa City, Iowa.

Oct 11, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell and Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz meet at mid field before the game at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ross Harried-Imagn Images

Traffic flows past the recently painted water tower along Hawkins Drive while construction continues during a renovation project at Kinnick Stadium on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, in Iowa City, Iowa.

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Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz speaks with reporters during a news conference, Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022, at the Hansen Football Performance Center in Iowa City, Iowa.

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Football

It may not be the College Football Playoff, but the intrigue of one specific bowl game is up there.

Iowa guard Taylor Stremlow (1) passes the basketball during practice June 25, 2026 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.

Basketball

Iowa women's basketball has seen some shuffling this offseason, opening the door for two players to step into bigger roles.

Running Back Kamari Moulton stands for a photo as Iowa Football hosts media day on Aug. 8, 2025, in Iowa City.

Football

Fantasy football has hit the college ranks. These Iowa Hawkeyes can win you a championship.

Sep 3, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; General view of third down marker during the game between the Arizona Cardinals agains the Denver Broncos in the first quarter of a preseason game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Football

Iowa can move the ball, but it won't matter if these two stats are underwhelming.

Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz observes action on the sideline as rain falls around him in the first quarter against Iowa State on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames.

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Football

Iowa turns recruits into stars, but the 2027 class is going to be a particularly tough ask if things don't change.

Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Zach Lutmer (6) reacts during a football game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers Oct. 25, 2025 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

Football

Iowa belongs in the preseason top 25, but how high? The questions around this team limit things right now.

Oct 11, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Kamari Moulton (28) celebrates a win after the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ross Harried-Imagn Images

Football

The Iowa Hawkeyes have groups to lean on, but how much weight can they shoulder?

Iowa junior tight end Noah Fant celebrates in the end zone after scoring a touchdown against Northern Iowa in the first quarter on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.

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Football

Let's dream about ideal matchups for Iowa. These are the non-conference games Hawkeye fans would love to see.

Iowa defensive line coach Kelvin Bell gives instructions during a spring NCAA football practice, Thursday, March 30, 2023, at the University of Iowa Indoor Practice Facility in Iowa City, Iowa.

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New faces, position battles, and change have a trio of Iowa staff members in the spotlight.

Iowa quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski (10) passes the football April 25, 2026 during the team’s spring practice at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

Iowa may have its hands full with a Northern Illinois team that loaded up through the transfer portal. This might not be the layup the Hawkeyes assume it'll be.

A statue of Nile Kinnick is pictured, Sunday, June 30, 2019, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

Who's the best college football player to ever wear the No. 24? The man whose name is on a stadium.

Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Zach Lutmer (6) reacts after scoring a pick-6 against the Minnesota Golden Gophers Oct. 25, 2025 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

Zach Lutmer is ready to be the next great Iowa defensive back, but his skill set can set him apart from the rest in a different way.