Iowa Hawkeye Football: A Legacy of Excellence and NFL Impact

The Iowa Hawkeyes football program, established in 1889, has a long and storied tradition of producing exceptional athletes who have left their mark on both college and professional football. While not always the first program that comes to mind when discussing NFL talent, Iowa has consistently developed players who have achieved remarkable success at the highest level. This article will explore the notable alumni of the Iowa Hawkeyes football program, highlighting their accomplishments in college and the NFL, and examining the program's overall impact on professional football.

NFL Success: More Than Just Tight Ends and Offensive Linemen

While the Iowa Hawkeyes are often recognized for producing outstanding tight ends, offensive linemen, and punters, their representation in the NFL extends beyond these positions. In fact, CBS Sports released a Top 100 list of the NFL's top stars, and only three college football programs had more representation on the list than Iowa. The Hawkeyes featured five players, two in the top 25. Only Alabama (10), LSU (8), and Oklahoma (6) have more.

Among the top-ranked former Hawkeyes in the NFL are:

Tristan Wirfs (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): A two-time All-Pro offensive lineman, Wirfs was ranked No. 20 on the CBS Sports list.
George Kittle (San Francisco 49ers): Considered one of the best all-around tight ends in the league, Kittle ranked No. 25. Few at the position can match Kittle as a receiver and a blocker.
Tyler Linderbaum (Baltimore Ravens): The center, who ranked No. 53, continues to grow into one of the league’s top centers.
Cooper DeJean (Philadelphia Eagles): After a solid rookie campaign and a Super Bowl pick-six, also made an appearance on the list at No. 85.
Sam LaPorta (Detroit Lions): His record-setting 2023 season ended with a disappointing knee injury, which may have played a part in his sophomore slump in 2024. Still, even a down season for him was better than most tight ends across the league.

These players exemplify the talent and dedication that Iowa Hawkeyes football instills in its athletes, preparing them for success in the NFL.

Hall of Fame Hawkeyes: Legends of the Game

The Iowa Hawkeyes football program boasts several alumni who have been inducted into various Halls of Fame, recognizing their outstanding contributions to the sport. These include the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the College Football Hall of Fame, the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, and the Iowa Sports Hall of Fame.

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Some of the most notable Hall of Fame Hawkeyes include:

Alex Karras (Defensive Tackle): Karras, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020, was a dominant defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions. After two all-Big Ten selections and consensus all-American status at Iowa in 1956, Karras went 10th overall to the Detroit Lions in the 1958 NFL Draft. The awards quickly piled up from there. Four Pro Bowls (1960-62), three first-team All-Pro selections (1960-61, 1965) and six second-team All-Pro selections (1962, 1964, 1966-69) arrived over Karras' 161-game career. He was named to the NFL 1960s all-decade team and has been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame (1991).
Andre Tippett (Linebacker): Tippett, a member of the 2008 NFL Hall of Fame class, was a dominant linebacker for the New England Patriots. Tippett racked up consensus all-American honors while leading the Hawkeyes defense in 1981, resulting in a second-round selection in the 1982 NFL Draft (41st overall). From there, Tippett spent the next decade-plus with the New England Patriots - the only NFL jersey he ever wore. Tippett was named to five Pro Bowls (1984-88) twice named a first-team All-Pro selection (1985, 1987) and earned two second-team All-Pro selections (1986, 1988). Tippett's best pro season was in 1985, when he was named the NFL co-defensive player of the year while piling up 16.5 sacks in 16 games. Tippett is also a member of the 2021 College Football Hall of Fame class.
Paul Krause (Safety): Krause, elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998, holds the NFL record for career interceptions. Krause did it all at Iowa, starring as a two-way weapon at wide receiver, running back and defensive back. The latter was Krause's ticket to NFL stardom. After the Washington Redskins selected him in the second round of the 1964 NFL Draft at No. 18 overall, Krause quickly became one of the league's best defensive players. He led the league in interceptions as a rookie and was named to the first of his three first-team all-Pro selections. Suprinigsly, though, Krause was traded to the Minnesota Vikings ahead of the 1968 season. He didn't miss a beat. Six of Krause's eight Pro Bowl selections came in Minnesota (1969, 1971-75), as did three second-team All-Pro selections. Krause finished as the NFL's career leader in interceptions (81) and the league in 1975 with 201 interception-return yards.
Emlen Tunnell (Safety): Tunnell, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967, was a standout safety and return specialist for the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers. Following World War II, Tunnell played the 1947 and 1948 seasons with the Hawkeyes. He led the team in total offensive yards his first season and set a single-game school record for receiving yards his second season. Tunnell went undrafted but signed with the New York Giants in 1948 before taking off. He was a first-team All-Pro selection six times (1949, 1951-52, 1954-56) and was named to nine Pro Bowls (1950-57, 1959) as a safety and return specialist. Tunnell was ultimately selected for the NFL's 1950s all-decade team, as well as the league's 50th anniversary and 100th anniversary squads. After finishing his career with the Green Bay Packers (1959-61), Tunnell retired with 79 interceptions, 2,209 punt-return yards and 1,215 kickoff-return yards over 14 seasons.
Nile Kinnick: Nile Kinnick, Duke Slater, and coach Howard Jones were all inducted in the inaugural College Football Hall of Fame class in 1951.

These Hall of Fame inductees represent the pinnacle of achievement for Iowa Hawkeyes football alumni, showcasing the program's ability to produce players who have had a lasting impact on the game.

Individual Award Winners: Recognizing Excellence

In addition to team success, individual Hawkeyes have also been recognized with prestigious national awards, including the Outland Trophy, the Davey O'Brien Award, the Doak Walker Award, the Jim Thorpe Award, and the Heisman Trophy. The most prestigious of these individual awards is the Heisman Trophy, which Nile Kinnick won in 1939. Four other Hawkeyes have placed second in the voting.

The Iowa Hawkeyes have also had ten players win the Big Ten Most Valuable Player Award, and 265 Hawks have earned first team All-Big Ten recognition, comprising 196 players, starting with Clyde Williams and Joe Warner in 1900.

These individual accolades highlight the exceptional talent and dedication of Iowa Hawkeyes football players, further solidifying the program's reputation for excellence.

Read also: The Story of UNI Panthers Football

All-Americans: The Best of the Best

Each year, numerous publications and organizations release lists of All-America teams, hypothetical rosters of players considered the best in the nation at their respective positions. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) uses officially recognized All-America selectors to determine the consensus selections.

Iowa has had 81 first-team All-Americans and 34 second-team All-Americans. Of Iowa's 81 first-team All-Americans, 37 were Consensus First-Team All-American selections (Cal Jones and Larry Station were named twice), while 17 were Unanimous First-Team selections. The Hawkeyes have had multiple consensus All-Americans eight times in program history (1981, 1985, 2002, 2003, 2017, 2023, 2024 and 2025).

These All-American selections demonstrate the consistent ability of the Iowa Hawkeyes football program to produce players who are recognized as the best in the nation.

NFL Draft Success: A Pipeline to the Pros

The Iowa Hawkeyes have a long and successful history of sending players to the NFL through the annual draft. In fact, Iowa has had at least one player drafted in every NFL draft since 1978. Through the 2023 NFL draft, Iowa has had 290 draft picks: 276 in the NFL, 21 in the AFL, and seven in the AAFC (the AFL and AAFC both later merged with the NFL).

This consistent presence in the NFL Draft highlights the program's ability to develop and prepare players for the rigors of professional football.

Read also: UUI Tuition Costs

Super Bowl Champions: Reaching the Pinnacle

Several Iowa Hawkeyes alumni have gone on to win Super Bowl championships, reaching the pinnacle of success in the NFL. These players have made key contributions to their respective teams, solidifying their place in Hawkeye football history.

Some notable Super Bowl-winning Hawkeyes include:

Bob Sanders & Dallas Clark (Indianapolis Colts, Super Bowl XLI): Sanders and Clark were both key members of Iowa's 2002 Big Ten co-championship team, and they brought their collegiate success to Peyton Manning's Indianapolis Colts. Sanders forced two Bears' turnovers - a first quarter fumble by Cedric Benson and an interception off quarterback Rex Grossman in the fourth quarter. The pick was Grossman's second-straight possession with an interception, and the Colts won, 29-17 - their first and only title since moving to Indianapolis.
Cooper DeJean (Philadelphia Eagles, Super Bowl LIX): The 2024 Eagles breezed through the regular season and playoffs, and their final obstacle was the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs. Philadelphia overwhelmed Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes early and often, and DeJean joined the party with a pick-six near the end of the first half - his first career interception and touchdown - to secure the Eagles' second Super Bowl crown.
Marshal Yanda (Baltimore Ravens, Super Bowl XLVII): Yanda, an eight-time Pro Bowler, helped the Ravens maintain their status as one of league's best teams under John Harbaugh. Baltimore's greatest achievement in the Harbaugh era came with a dramatic 34-31 victory in Super Bowl XLVII against the San Francisco 49ers.
James "Jimmy" Hilgenberg (Chicago Bears, Super Bowl XX): Hilgenberg went undrafted, and signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bears, for whom he played 11 seasons (1981-1991). He then played one season for the Cleveland Browns (1992) and one season for the New Orleans Saints (1993). He was a member of the Bears' Super Bowl XX-winning team and a seven-time Pro Bowl selection.

These Super Bowl victories represent the ultimate team achievement for Iowa Hawkeyes football alumni, showcasing the program's ability to produce players who can contribute to championship-caliber teams.

The Legacy of Nile Kinnick: A True Hawkeye Hero

No discussion of Iowa Hawkeyes football alumni would be complete without mentioning Nile Kinnick, the program's only Heisman Trophy winner. Kinnick, who won the award in 1939, is widely regarded as the greatest player in Iowa football history.

Beyond his athletic achievements, Kinnick was also a scholar, a leader, and a war hero. He passed up a career in professional football to attend law school and later served in the Naval Air Corps Reserve. Kinnick died in 1943 while serving his country during World War II.

Kinnick's legacy extends far beyond the football field. He is remembered as a symbol of courage, integrity, and selflessness. Kinnick Stadium, the home of the Iowa Hawkeyes football team, is named in his honor, ensuring that his name will forever be associated with the program.

Other Notable Alumni

Beyond those already mentioned, numerous other Iowa Hawkeyes football alumni have achieved success in the NFL and other fields. These include:

Tim Dwight (Wide Receiver/Kick Returner): Dwight was a dynamic player for the Hawkeyes in the 1990s and went on to have a successful NFL career.
Robert Gallery (Offensive Tackle): Gallery was a consensus All-American for Iowa and was the second overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft.
Desmond King (Defensive Back): King won the Jim Thorpe Award in 2015 and has had a successful NFL career.
Karl Klug (Defensive Tackle): Klug played college football at Iowa and was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
Marvin McNutt (Wide Receiver): McNutt played college football at Iowa and was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

These players, along with many others, have contributed to the rich tradition of Iowa Hawkeyes football and have made a positive impact on the game.

Iowa Football: An NFL Factory?

Iowa football is an NFL factory. The Hawkeyes have a significant number of players on NFL rosters, ranking among the top programs in the Big Ten and the nation. Iowa consistently sees its alumni finding success in the NFL.

Year after year, Iowa football has produced quality NFL players capable of altering a franchise. Although not all of those former Hawkeyes entered the league with overwhelming hype, many delivered exceptional careers worth remembering. Tight ends and offensive linemen have been Iowa's NFL specialties, with several strong defensive backs, linebackers and defensive linemen splattered throughout. Each one of them have worn and black and gold with pride along the way.

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