If you walk into an NFL locker room and don't see a guy wearing an Iowa Hawkeyes hoodie, you might actually be in a high school gym by mistake. It’s wild. Seriously. For a program that folks often poke fun at for "punting being winning" or having a "boring" offense, the sheer volume of Iowa football players in NFL rosters right now is staggering. We’re talking about a specialized factory in Iowa City that just churns out pro-ready human beings.
The 2025 season just wrapped up, and the 2026 Pro Bowl rosters are out. Take a look at the names. You’ve got Tristan Wirfs making his fifth Pro Bowl. You’ve got Tyler Linderbaum basically owning the interior for Baltimore. It isn’t just about having guys in the league; it’s about having guys who run the league.
The Tight End University (TEU) Reality Check
Let’s be real for a second. If you’re a high school tight end and you have an offer from Iowa, you’d be kind of crazy to go anywhere else. Look at the current NFL landscape. George Kittle is still doing George Kittle things in San Francisco, even when he’s banged up. Then you have Sam LaPorta, who basically walked onto the Detroit Lions' field as a rookie and started breaking records like it was nothing.
And the pipeline just kept moving in the 2025 Draft. Luke Lachey went to the Houston Texans in the seventh round. Some people thought he’d go higher, but Houston got an absolute steal. He’s the 14th tight end drafted in the Kirk Ferentz era. Think about that. That is an insane hit rate for one position.
Then you have Erick All Jr. and Noah Fant over in Cincinnati. It’s almost unfair. Most teams struggle to find one reliable tight end; Iowa has enough starting-caliber guys in the pros to fill out an entire fantasy football league.
Why Iowa Football Players in NFL Rosters Stick Around
It isn’t just about the draft day hype. It's about staying power. The average NFL career is, what, three years? Hawkeyes tend to double or triple that. Why? Honestly, it’s the way they’re coached. Kirk Ferentz runs a "pro-style" system that people love to complain about on Saturdays, but NFL scouts salivate over it on Sundays.
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Take the offensive line. Iowa football players in NFL trenches are basically the gold standard.
- Tristan Wirfs (Tampa Bay): The man became the first player in history to make All-Pro at both right and left tackle in the same season. That’s not just talent; that’s technique.
- Tyler Linderbaum (Baltimore): He was recently graded as one of the top-five centers in the entire league. He allowed only 21 pressures on over 430 pass-blocking snaps this past season.
- Alaric Jackson (LA Rams): An undrafted guy who is now one of the Rams' best linemen.
They arrive in the league knowing how to zone block. They know how to identify a Mike linebacker. They aren’t "projects." They are finished products.
The 2025 Draft Class and the New Wave
The most recent draft cycle proved the "Iowa way" is still alive and well. Five Hawkeyes were taken in the 2025 NFL Draft, marking the third straight year that at least four players from the program heard their names called.
Kaleb Johnson went to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round. If you watched him at Iowa, you knew he was built for the AFC North. He’s a "three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust" guy who can also break a 70-yarder. He joined his teammate Yahya Black, who the Steelers also grabbed in the fifth. Pittsburgh basically looks like "Iowa East" at this point.
Then you had the seventh-round rush. Mason Richman (Seattle), Connor Colby (San Francisco), and the aforementioned Luke Lachey. People overlook seventh-rounders, but in Iowa’s case, those are usually the guys who end up being 10-year starters.
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Recent Pro Bowl Hawks (2026 Honors)
| Player | Team | Position | Notable Stat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Campbell | Detroit Lions | LB | 143 tackles, 9 TFL in 2025 |
| Cooper DeJean | Philadelphia Eagles | DB | 16 pass deflections, 2 INTs |
| Tristan Wirfs | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | OT | 93.7 PFF pass-blocking grade |
| Tyler Linderbaum | Baltimore Ravens | C | 3rd career Pro Bowl invite |
| George Kittle | San Francisco 49ers | TE | 6 TDs in only 9 games |
The Defensive Revolution
For a long time, Iowa was just the "O-Line and Tight End" school. Not anymore. Phil Parker, the defensive coordinator back in Iowa City, might be a literal wizard. Look at the secondary.
Cooper DeJean is out here winning Super Bowls and making Pro Bowls for the Eagles before he can even legally rent a car (okay, he's 22, but you get the point). He had a 59-tackle season with 16 pass deflections. Then there's Riley Moss in Denver. He’s turned into a lockdown corner, totaling 65 tackles and 15 passes defended this past year.
And don't forget the linebackers. Jack Campbell is a monster in Detroit. He had seven double-digit tackle games this season alone. He’s on track to finish with over 170 tackles. That’s Brian Urlacher-type production.
What Most People Get Wrong About Hawkeyes in the Pros
People think these guys succeed because they are "scrappy" or "hard workers." Sure, they are. But let's not pretend they aren't elite athletes. Connor Colby, who went in the late rounds to the Niners, had a 9.50 Relative Athletic Score (RAS). Out of over 1,700 offensive guards tested since 1987, he’s in the top 100.
The narrative that Iowa only produces "high-floor, low-ceiling" players is basically dead. Lukas Van Ness (Green Bay) and TJ Hockenson (Minnesota) are pure high-ceiling athletes. They have the "freak" factor.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re following Iowa football players in NFL careers, keep an eye on the "Steeler connection." With Kaleb Johnson and Yahya Black joining Logan Lee in Pittsburgh, that defensive front is going to have a very specific, disciplined Iowa identity.
Also, watch the "Contract Year" for guys like A.J. Epenesa. He’s coming off a six-sack season for Buffalo and is proving that Iowa defensive ends have a second gear once they hit their mid-20s.
If you’re looking to track these guys, the "NFL Hawks" database is updated weekly during the season. It’s the best way to see who’s starting and who’s on the practice squad. Right now, there are about 37 active Hawkeyes across the league. That’s more than 10% of the Big Ten’s total representation.
The "boring" offense in Iowa City might frustrate fans on a cold November afternoon, but for the guys playing in it, it’s a golden ticket to a Sunday paycheck. As long as Kirk Ferentz and Phil Parker are in town, the pipeline isn't going anywhere.
Next Steps for You:
- Check the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine list to see which current Hawkeyes are next in line.
- Monitor the injury report for T.J. Hockenson and George Kittle; their return schedules significantly impact their teams' betting lines.
- Look for Kaleb Johnson in your 2026 fantasy football dynasty drafts—he’s currently undervalued.