Iowa Hawkeyes Draft Record Might Surprise Fans
- 01. Iowa Hawkeyes NFL Draft History: Complete Record, Key Stats, and Why It Matters
- 02. Historical Overview: Decades of NFL Production
- 03. First-Round Picks Under Kirk Ferentz (1999-Present)
- 04. Complete Draft History Table: Recent Years
- 05. 2024 and 2025 Draft Classes: Continuing the Legacy
- 06. Why Iowa's NFL Draft Success Matters
- 07. Notable NFL Alumni and Their Impact
- 08. Recent Draft Trends and Future Outlook
- 09. Key Statistical Milestones in Iowa Draft History
Iowa Hawkeyes NFL Draft History: Complete Record, Key Stats, and Why It Matters
The Iowa Hawkeyes have had 272 players selected in the NFL Draft since 1936, including 26 first-round picks and eight top-10 overall selections, with Randy Duncan becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the 1950 NFL Draft. Under head coach Kirk Ferentz (1999-present), Iowa has produced nine first-round picks and maintained 32 consecutive drafts with at least one player selected, establishing one of the most consistent NFL pipelines in college football.
Historical Overview: Decades of NFL Production
Iowa's NFL draft success spans nearly nine decades, with the program's single-year record set in 1945 when nine Hawkeyes were drafted in one event. The Hawkeyes have developed elite offensive linemen as a signature strength, producing Pro Bowl tackles like Robert Gallery (2nd overall, 2004), Bryan Bulaga, Riley Reiff, and Brandon Scherff. Defensive players have also thrived, with Bob Sanders winning Defensive Player of the Year and Chad Greenway becoming a seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker.
The program's Ferentz-era dominance began shortly after his 1999 hiring, with Dallas Clark leading the charge as a first-round tight end in 2003. Since then, Iowa has consistently sent 4-5 players per draft to the NFL, with recent classes including five selections in both 2024 and 2025.
First-Round Picks Under Kirk Ferentz (1999-Present)
Kirk Ferentz has transformed Iowa into a first-round factory, developing nine players selected in the top 32 picks since 1999. These players represent premium draft capital and have become cornerstones for their NFL teams:
- Dallas Clark, TE - 2003, 24th overall (Indianapolis Colts)
- Robert Gallery, OT - 2004, 2nd overall (Oakland Raiders)
- Chad Greenway, LB - 2006, 17th overall (Minnesota Vikings)
- Bryan Bulaga, OT - 2010, 23rd overall (Green Bay Packers)
- Adrian Clayborn, DE - 2011, 20th overall (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
- Riley Reiff, OT - 2012, 23rd overall (Detroit Lions)
- Brandon Scherff, OG - 2015, 5th overall (Washington Redskins)
- T.J. Hockenson, TE - 2019, 8th overall (Detroit Lions)
- Noah Fant, TE - 2019, 20th overall (Denver Broncos)
Tristan Wirfs joined this group as the 13th overall pick in 2020, selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he won a Super BowlLV championship.
Complete Draft History Table: Recent Years
The following table shows Iowa's draft selections from 2003-2009, demonstrating the program's consistent production during the Ferentz era's formative years:
| Year | Player | Round | Overall Pick | Position | NFL Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Shonn Greene | 2 | 32 | Running Back | New York Jets |
| 2009 | Bradley Fletcher | 2 | 33 | Defensive Back | St. Louis Rams |
| 2009 | Seth Olsen | 4 | 104 | Offensive Line | Denver Broncos |
| 2009 | Brandon Myers | 6 | 180 | Tight End | Oakland Raiders |
| 2008 | Charles Godfrey | 3 | 63 | Defensive Back | Carolina Panthers |
| 2008 | Kenny Iwebema | 4 | 107 | Defensive End | Arizona Cardinals |
| 2008 | Mike Humpal | 6 | 178 | Linebacker | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 2007 | Marshal Yanda | 3 | 72 | Offensive Line | Baltimore Ravens |
| 2007 | Scott Chandler | 4 | 100 | Tight End | San Diego Chargers |
| 2006 | Chad Greenway | 1 | 17 | Linebacker | Minnesota Vikings |
| 2006 | Abdul Hodge | 3 | 69 | Linebacker | Green Bay Packers |
| 2005 | Matt Roth | 2 | 52 | Defensive End | Miami Dolphins |
| 2005 | Jonathan Babineaux | 2 | 53 | Defensive Line | Atlanta Falcons |
| 2004 | Robert Gallery | 1 | 2 | Offensive Line | Oakland Raiders |
| 2004 | Bob Sanders | 2 | 44 | Defensive Back | Indianapolis Colts |
| 2003 | Dallas Clark | 1 | 24 | Tight End | Indianapolis Colts |
| 2003 | Eric Steinbach | 2 | 35 | Offensive Line | Cincinnati Bengals |
2024 and 2025 Draft Classes: Continuing the Legacy
The 2024 NFL Draft featured former Hawkeyes including lineman Logan Lee, who was selected in the sixth round (178th overall) by the Pittsburgh Steelers. The program's 2025 draft class included five selections: Kaleb Johnson (Round 3, 83rd pick, Pittsburgh Steelers), Yah Black (Pittsburgh Steelers), Mason Man (Seattle Seahawks), Connor By (San Francisco 49ers), and Luke Achey (Houston Texans).
This five-player haul in 2025 continues Iowa's tradition of developing NFL-ready talent across multiple positional groups, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
Why Iowa's NFL Draft Success Matters
Iowa's consistent draft production matters because the program specializes in developing under-the-radar recruits into NFL starters, maximizing player potential through elite coaching and technical development. The Hawkeyes' offensive line pipeline has become legendary, with NFL teams specifically scouting Iowa for technically sound linemen who can play immediately at the professional level.
The 32-year draft streak demonstrates program stability and recruiting consistency that few Big Ten programs match, making Iowa a reliable source of NFL talent year after year. This reliability has created strong NFL relationships with scouts and coordinators who trust Iowa's development system to produce coached-up, football-smart players.
Notable NFL Alumni and Their Impact
Bob Sanders won Defensive Player of the Year in 2007 and earned two Pro Bowl selections during his career with the Indianapolis Colts. Marshal Yanda became a three-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman for the Baltimore Ravens, starting over 150 games. T.J. Hockenson has emerged as one of the NFL's premier tight ends, earning Pro Bowl selections in multiple seasons after being drafted eighth overall in 2019.
Tristan Wirfs won Super Bowl LV with Tampa Bay in his rookie season and has earned multiple Pro Bowl selections as an elite right tackle. Dallas Clark recorded 775 career receptions for 8,587 yards and 72 touchdowns, becoming one of the mostproductive tight ends of his era.
Recent Draft Trends and Future Outlook
The 2025 draft class shows Iowa's continued ability to develop defensive talent, with multiple selections including linebackers and defensive backs for Pittsburgh, Seattle, San Francisco, and Houston. This trend aligns with Iowa's historical strength in defensive development, where players like Chad Greenway, Bob Sanders, and Adrian Clayborn have excelled.
Iowa's recruiting philosophy focuses on developing players with high football IQ and technical proficiency rather than relying solely on five-star recruits, creating a sustainable pipeline of NFL-ready talent. This approach has proven effective across multiple positional groups, from offensive linemen to tight ends to defensive backs.
Key Statistical Milestones in Iowa Draft History
The program has achieved several historic milestones throughout its draft history, including reaching 250 total draft selections and maintaining its consecutive-draft streak into the 2020s. Iowa's eighth top-10 pick came with Brandon Scherff at No. 5 overall in 2015, cementing the program's reputation for producing elite offensive line talent.
- 272 total players drafted since 1936
- 26 first-round selections in program history
- 8 top-10 overall picks
- 32 consecutive drafts with at least one selection
- 9 first-round picks under Kirk Ferentz (1999-present)
- 9 players drafted in 1945 (single-year record)
This consistent production across nearly nine decades demonstrates why Iowa remains one of the most respected programs in college football for developing NFL talent.
What are the most common questions about Iowa Hawkeyes Draft Record Might Surprise Fans?
How many Iowa Hawkeyes have been drafted in NFL history?
Iowa has had 272 players selected in the NFL Draft since 1936, including 26 first-round picks and eight top-10 overall selections.
Who was the first Iowa Hawkeye drafted No. 1 overall?
Randy Duncan was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 1950 NFL Draft, becoming Iowa's only first-overall selection in program history.
How many first-round picks has Iowa produced under Kirk Ferentz?
Kirk Ferentz has developed nine first-round draft picks since becoming head coach in 1999, including Robert Gallery (2nd overall, 2004) and Brandon Scherff (5th overall, 2015).
What is Iowa's record for most players drafted in one year?
Iowa's single-year draft record is nine players selected in the 1945 NFL Draft, which remains the most in program history.
How many consecutive drafts has Iowa had at least one player selected?
Iowa has had at least one player selected in 32 consecutive NFL Drafts, a streak that demonstrates the program's consistent NFL production.
Which position has Iowa produced the most NFL draft picks?
Iowa has produced the most NFL draft picks at offensive line, with Pro Bowl tackles including Robert Gallery, Bryan Bulaga, Riley Reiff, Brandon Scherff, and Tristan Wirfs.