Tyler Tachman |Des Moines Register

CHICAGO — Iowa offensive coordinator Tim Lester was taken aback by what was unfolding in front of him.

It was during a Hawkeyes practice this past spring. Iowa’s offense pulled out a play that it hadn’t run since fall camp. And yet, when one of Iowa’s pass catchers went in motion, defensive back Zach Lutmer already sniffed out what they wanted to do.

“The moment we motioned, he’s like, ‘Here comes double-post, wheel,’” Lester recalled on the ANF Podcast. “I’m behind, and I’m like, ‘What are you doing? We haven’t run that play for like six months.’ And he called it out.”

Lutmer, who was told that story at Big Ten Media Days in late July, knew what Lester was referring to.

“I’ve watched a lot of film,” Lutmer said. “But plays like that just come in my head and it’s on repeat. They’ve beat us on this play before. We have to remember that play and stick it in a file, pull it out at the right time. They motioned into a formation that they run a few different plays out of. But I kind of had a guess because I think it was DJ (Vonnahme) that went in motion. I’m like, OK, they want DJ (Vonnahme) to go on a wheel route here against our linebacker. They want him to get the ball in a one-on-one scenario. So I just ended up being right, I guessCall it an incredible memory or a weird sixth sense. Either way, there’s more to Lutmer’s success than just his physical ability.

Of course, football is about throwing and catching and running and tackling and blocking. But there’s also the game within the game. While he’s on the field, Lutmer is simultaneously playing a game of mental chess.

“A lot of teams kind of have giveaways and stuff like that (with coverages),” Iowa quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski said. “But when you go against Zach Lutmer, he messes around a lot. He doesn’t really give us tells.”

In fact, Lutmer has intentionally given Iowa’s offense information, but only as a trap.

“There’s been a few occasions where I’ll just yell out something that we’re playing the complete opposite, but I told the defense like, ‘Hey, I’m just going to yell this out as a disguise,’” Lutmer said. “Just to get in their head. And it’s worked out a few times. So it’s pretty funny. It’s definitely a good change-up on them because they know all of our calls.”

For Lutmer, a Rock Rapids native, toying with the offense is enjoyable.

“I just enjoy getting in their head,” he said. “What really gets me going every time is they think I look at their plays before practice because I know some of their plays. And I don’t look at them at all. But they think I do. So that’s probably the most fun part.”

It makes sense that Lutmer is one of the best defensive backs in the Big Ten entering the 2026 season.

He is coming off a breakout campaign in which he led Iowa in interceptions (3), ranked fourth in tackles (71) and third in tackles for loss (5.5). Lutmer has been compared to former Iowa star Cooper DeJean, in part because of his playmaking ability and versatility in the secondary.

Lutmer’s intelligence on the field is also a major weapon. He played games of deception in high school but toned it down early on at Iowa. As he gained more experience in college, Lutmer has grown back into those ways. Former Hawkeye teammate Jay Higgins also helped inform Lutmer’s belief in the importance of watching film (the linebacker was a notoriously detailed film-watcher, even doing so while waiting for his food at Noodles & Company).

“It helped him a crazy amount,” Lutmer said of Higgins. “I would see him in there all the time. Before games, the Friday that we were going to travel, he would be in there all the time. Just seeing that, it told me like, OK, obviously it helps. Jay Higg is an elite player. Any way you can get the edge definitely helps.”More: Iowa football’s quarterback rebuild to be tested during 2026 season

Lutmer’s instincts don’t just make a fun story. He actually puts it into action to give Iowa an advantage.

When Wisconsin’s quarterback threw a backwards pass against Iowa last season, Lutmer alertly raced in pursuit and recovered the ball to give the Hawkeyes possession.

“I wasn’t (aware it was a backwards pass),” Lutmer said after the game, “but our coaches do a great job of preaching, anytime the ball’s on the ground and it’s close, just go jump on it and make the refs make the decision.”

One of his three interceptions last season came in the form of a pick-six against Minnesota. Lutmer had seen the Golden Gophers run that play before. Leading up to the game, Lutmer had watched it with Iowa’s coaches and discussed how to defend it. The next day, he capitalized with a defensive touchdown.

“The coaches gave me a gift there,” he said.

So there is more to Lutmer’s exciting plays than might initially meet the eye, and his preparation can have a ripple effect on the defense.

“He’s a guy that I enjoy watching tape with and bouncing ideas off of,” Iowa linebacker Jayden Montgomery said. “His play recognition’s awesome. It helps me play faster as a linebacker when you’ve got a guy that’s calling out the play, obviously. Also leads me to watch more tape and try to be more like that. But he’s done a great job. I love playing with Zach.”

Lester is already well aware of that.

“If you ever run the same play twice on Lutmer, he’ll call it out before you run it,” Lester said on the ANF Podcast. “It’s one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen.”