Iowa football had seven players drafted into the NFL this season, which was a new record for Iowa and pushed Kirk Ferentz’s total number of players drafted to 101. On top of that, there were five Iowa Undrafted Free Agents (UDFAs) that were picked up by teams once the draft formally closed. Below is a look at where they landed as the preseason gets underway.
Pittsburgh SteelersAt the Pants, we ALWAYS start with the black & gold, and what better team than the one that Hayden Fry modeled their jerseys after way back in 1979!
- Gennings Dunker – Round 3, Pick No. 96
- Kaden Wetjen – Round 4, Pick No. 121
Kaden was expected to be the top kick returner for the Steelers when they drafted him, and their first preseason game only cemented those expectations. Kaden took a slant pass and weaved his way into a 74-yard gain. Then on the next drive he scored his first ever NFL touchdown on a 5-yard touchdown pass. Wetjen also returned three kickoffs for 61 yards, averaging 20.3 yards per return with a long of 25 yards.
Watch Kaden Wetjen break loose for 75 yards! @Steelers
GBvsPIT on @nflnetwork
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/2a7wATVuib
Gennings Dunker is expected to be a role player, 2 nd or 3 rd string, as he has some development work to do on his footwork. Dunker did perform well in the opener against the Packers. He recently missed practice due to an undisclosed injury and is expected to be held out of the upcoming preseason game against the Jets as a precaution.
It’s only fitting that the black & gold have a whopping seven former Iowa players on their roster, which also includes Logan Lee, Yahya Black, Sebastian Castro, Brandon Smith, and Kaleb Johnson. Johnson is on thin ice, and might not make the final cut.
Chicago BearsOr should we say, “Da Bears?” It’s painful being a Bears fan, but I’m a glutton for punishment.
- Logan Jones – Round 2, Pick No. 57
- Hayden Large – UDFA
Logan Jones is hoping to secure a future at center, after the prior Bears starting center, Drew Dalman unexpectedly retired at the end of last season. Jones won’t start, as veteran Garrett Bradbury remains the clear favorite to start at center.
It would be remiss if I didn’t call out the Tory Taylor is now beginning his third season with the Bears, because at Iowa, punting is winning.
Miami DolphinsThe Fins picked up two Iowa rookies this season.
- Max Llewellyn – Round 7, Pick No. 238
- Mark Gronowski – UDFA
Preseason is fluid and precarious, and Mark G-Ski learned the hard way. Mark was released on August 7, right before their season opener. But not so fast, my friend! Rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers suffered a groin injury during the game, and both backup QBs struggled. A mere nine days later, the Dolphins resigned Gronowski.
New Orleans SaintsOne new rookie for the Saints.
- TJ Hall – Round 7, Pick No. 219
Hall has shown flashes of talent mixed with rookie growing pains thus far. He will most likely be utilized on special teams as he works to find his way. Hall joins veteran Noah Fant on the roster.
Arizona CardinalsIt still seems just wrong that the Cardinals are not in Saint Louis, but old habits die hard.
- Karson Sharar – Round 6, Pick No. 183
Karson had a slow start largely attributed to a hamstring injury that caused him to miss the majority of the team’s spring program, but a breakout game against the Raiders changed the narrative. Sharar led the entire Cardinals defense with five total tackles (all solo), including a tackle for loss. A Hawkeye fan favorite we’ll be rooting for following his smack down performance against “our friend”, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
Seattle SeahawksThe reigning Super Bowl Champs drafted one former Hawkeye.
- Beau Stephens – Round 5, Pick No. 148
Stephens has spent most of the camp repping with the third-string offense. In their opener against the Cowboys, Pro Football Focus (PFF) awarded Beau an elite 76.8 run-blocking grade but a dismal 11.3 pass-blocking grade after he allowed a quarterback hit and a pressure across 18 pass-block snaps.
Baltimore Ravens- Aaron Graves – UDFA
The Ravens’ management holds Aaron in high regard, having given him a $60,000 financial guarantee, the largest practical guarantee among all of Baltimore’s 2026 undrafted free agent signings. He is considered a bubble player but has reportedly had a strong fall camp.
Kansas City Chiefs- Xavier Nwankpa – UDFA
- Ethan Hurkett – UDFA
Initially Hurkett was waived shortly after their rookie minicamp. But after defensive end Ethan Downs tore his ACL in camp, the Chiefs were scrambling to add depth across the defensive line and ultimately decided to bring back Hurkett.
Nwankpa has been making waves all camp, highlighted by a number of BIG hits.
Emmett Johnson Vs Xavier Nwankpa
Advantage: Nwankpa pic.twitter.com/66Lmfv0G2I
If you’ve made it this far, then you’re into all things Iowa athletics, so here’s a closing Easter Egg as a Thank You for sticking around.
UI Athletics reported that athletic director Beth Goetz has been given a contract extension and sizable increase in pay. Beth’s previous contract went through January 2029, and her new contract extends her through January 2032. Her guaranteed base salary (not including performance incentives) increases from $850,000 annually to $1.4 million annually, effective Sept. 1, 2026. This puts Beth approximately at the median of ADs in the Big Ten, where previously she was towards the bottom.
Thoughts, Hawkeye fans? Are you pleased with the job that Beth is doing thus far? And do you feel that this pay increase is warranted?
Leave a Comment