You’ve seen the stat. It’s almost a meme at this point. Every time an NFL game kicks off on Sunday, there’s a massive chance an offensive lineman or a tight end from Iowa is anchoring a starting unit. Honestly, it’s kinda ridiculous. Iowa doesn't pull in those flashy, five-star recruiting classes that make the headlines in February. Yet, when the NFL Draft rolls around, pro scouts treat Iowa City like a high-end grocery store.
They know exactly what they’re getting.
The Iowa Hawkeyes in the NFL have become a brand. It’s a specific "type" of player. Usually, they’re guys who weren't highly recruited, spent four years in a windowless weight room eating enough protein to fuel a small village, and left Iowa City with a master’s degree in "How to Block a 300-pound Human."
The Tight End Factory (AKA Tight End U)
If you want to talk about Iowa's pro impact, you have to start with the tight ends. It’s the law. Look at the current NFL landscape as we head into 2026. George Kittle is still doing George Kittle things in San Francisco, even if he’s dealing with the occasional injury bug. He’s basically the gold standard for what the NFL wants in a modern tight end—someone who can catch a 40-yard post route and then immediately flatten a defensive end on the very next play.
But it’s not just Kittle.
Sam LaPorta absolutely exploded onto the scene with the Detroit Lions. People thought he might have a sophomore slump in 2024, but the guy is a target monster. Then you have T.J. Hockenson in Minnesota and Noah Fant. It’s an assembly line.
Pro scouts love Hawkeye tight ends because they actually know how to block. In an era where most college tight ends are just "big wide receivers," Iowa keeps producing "Y" tight ends who can stay on the field for all three downs. It makes life so much easier for offensive coordinators.
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The Big Boys Up Front
Let’s talk about Tristan Wirfs. The guy is arguably the best tackle in football right now. He’s the highest-paid left tackle in the league for a reason. He protects the blind side with the kind of footwork you usually see from a point guard, not a 320-pounder.
Then there’s Tyler Linderbaum in Baltimore. There was all this noise during his draft year about his "short arms." People were genuinely worried he couldn't hold up against NFL nose tackles. Fast forward to now, and he’s a Pro Bowler for the Ravens, acting as the literal engine for their run game. He’s currently navigating contract extension talks because, frankly, the Ravens can't afford to lose him.
Iowa’s offensive line pipeline is built on a specific philosophy. Kirk Ferentz, who was an NFL offensive line coach himself, runs a pro-style system that focuses on zone blocking and technical perfection.
- Technique over Hype: Iowa linemen rarely have the longest arms or the fastest 40 times.
- The Weight Room: Strength coach Chris Doyle (and now his successors) built a culture where "development" isn't just a buzzword.
- Versatility: Most Hawkeye O-linemen can play at least two positions, which is gold for NFL rosters with limited active spots.
The Defensive Evolution
For a long time, the Iowa Hawkeyes in the NFL were mostly just "the line and the tight ends." That’s changed.
The defense is suddenly a powerhouse for pro talent. Look at Jack Campbell in Detroit. He’s the literal anchor of that defense now, ranking top three in the NFL for total tackles with 159 this past season. He plays like a throwback linebacker—violent, smart, and always near the ball.
And then there's Cooper DeJean.
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The guy is a freak. He’s a cornerback, a safety, and a punt returner all rolled into one. He actually had a pick-six against Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl as a rookie. Who does that? Pro teams are starting to realize that Iowa’s "bend-but-don't-break" defensive scheme actually teaches players incredible discipline and zone eyes, which translates perfectly to the complex defenses run by guys like Vic Fangio or Mike Macdonald.
By the Numbers: The 2026 Pro Hawkeyes
As of the start of 2026, there are roughly 28 active Hawkeyes on NFL rosters. That's a massive number for a program that doesn't usually crack the top 25 in recruiting rankings.
Basically, Iowa is the "Island of Misfit Toys" that turns into a fleet of Ferraris.
Five former Hawkeyes were named to the Pro Bowl this year: George Kittle, Tristan Wirfs, Tyler Linderbaum, Cooper DeJean, and Jack Campbell. That's more representation than most SEC powerhouses.
Why the "Iowa Type" Works
What’s the secret sauce? Honestly, it’s probably boredom.
Iowa City isn't Los Angeles or Miami. There aren't a million distractions. It’s a place where you go to work. NFL GMs love this. They know if they draft a Hawkeye, they aren't getting a guy who is going to be a headache in the locker room. They're getting a guy who is used to a 5:00 AM wake-up call and a coach who will scream at him if his hand placement is two inches off on a block.
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It’s also about the "Pro-Style" system. While half of college football is running "Air Raid" offenses that don't even use a huddle, Iowa still plays "old school" football.
They huddle.
They use fullbacks (sometimes).
They prioritize special teams.
Tory Taylor is a great example. A punter being drafted in the fourth round? People laughed. But the Chicago Bears knew what they were doing. Taylor is a weapon who flips the field, and his transition to the NFL was seamless because he’d been punting in high-pressure, low-scoring games his entire college career.
The Next Wave
If you're looking for the next Iowa Hawkeyes in the NFL, keep an eye on the 2026 draft class. Kaleb Johnson is a name everyone is circling. He’s a beast of a running back who could easily be a Day 2 pick. Then there’s Logan Jones, the center who just won the Rimington Trophy. He’s almost certainly going to follow Linderbaum’s path into a starting NFL role.
The pipeline isn't slowing down. In fact, with the way the NFL is moving toward more versatile, "position-less" defensive players and high-IQ offensive linemen, Iowa’s stock has never been higher.
What you can do next: If you're a fantasy football manager or just a die-hard fan, start tracking the snap counts of these younger Iowa defenders like Riley Moss or Lukas Van Ness. They are often "slow-played" by their NFL teams in year one but tend to become high-impact starters by year three once they've fully adjusted to the speed of the pro game. Also, watch the 2026 Combine results for Jay Higgins—his tackling efficiency is historically high, and he’s the type of "undervalued" Hawkeye who will likely end up being a 10-year pro.