Iowa Hawkeyes Set NFL Draft Record as 12 Players Land on Pro Rosters
Iowa football made history this season with seven players drafted into the NFL, a new program record that pushed head coach Kirk Ferentz's career total to 101 draft picks. Add five undrafted free agents who signed with teams after the draft closed, and a dozen former Hawkeyes are now battling for roster spots as the NFL preseason heats up.
Here is where Iowa's newest pros landed and how they are performing in training camp.
Pittsburgh Steelers Lead the Way with Seven Former Hawkeyes
The Steelers roster now features seven former Iowa players, the most of any NFL team. That connection dates back to 1979 when legendary Iowa coach Hayden Fry modeled the Hawkeyes' uniforms after Pittsburgh's black and gold.
Kaden Wetjen has been the standout so far. Expected to be the Steelers' top kick returner, Wetjen delivered in the preseason opener with a 74-yard catch-and-run and his first NFL touchdown on a 5-yard pass. He also returned three kickoffs for 61 yards, averaging 20.3 yards per return.
Gennings Dunker is projected as a second or third-string role player while he works on his footwork. He performed well in the opener against the Packers but recently missed practice with an undisclosed injury and is expected to sit out the next preseason game against the Jets as a precaution.
Kaleb Johnson is on the roster bubble and may not survive final cuts, while Logan Lee, Yahya Black, Sebastian Castro, and Brandon Smith round out the Iowa contingent in Pittsburgh.
Chicago Bears: Logan Jones Competes for Center Role
Logan Jones is hoping to secure a future at center for the Bears after veteran Drew Dalman unexpectedly retired at the end of last season. Jones won't start this year, as Garrett Bradbury remains the clear favorite, but the former Hawkeye is positioning himself for the long term.
Punter Tory Taylor is also entering his third season with Chicago, continuing Iowa's tradition of producing elite special teams talent.
Miami Dolphins: Mark Gronowski's Wild Ride
Preseason rosters are fluid, and Mark Gronowski learned that the hard way. The Dolphins released him on August 7, just before their season opener. But when rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers suffered a groin injury and both backups struggled, Miami quickly re-signed Gronowski nine days later.
His roster spot remains tenuous, but the opportunity is there for the former Hawkeye signal-caller.
New Orleans Saints: Zach Hall Shows Promise
Zach Hall has shown flashes of talent mixed with typical rookie growing pains. He will likely see most of his action on special teams as he develops. Hall joins veteran tight end Noah Fant on the Saints roster.
Arizona Cardinals: Karson Sharar Breaks Out
Karson Sharar got off to a slow start after a hamstring injury cost him most of the spring program. But a breakout game against the Raiders changed everything. Sharar led the Cardinals defense with five solo tackles, including a tackle for loss.
Hawkeye fans will remember Sharar's dominant performance against Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
Seattle Seahawks: Beau Stephens Gets Mixed Grades
The reigning Super Bowl champions drafted Beau Stephens, who has spent most of camp with the third-string offense. Pro Football Focus gave him an elite 76.8 run-blocking grade in the opener against the Cowboys but a dismal 11.3 pass-blocking grade after allowing a quarterback hit and a pressure on 18 pass-block snaps.
Baltimore Ravens: Aaron Graves Gets Financial Commitment
The Ravens showed confidence in Aaron Graves by giving him a $60,000 guarantee, the largest among 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 and Ethan Hurkett Make Noise
Ethan Hurkett was initially waived after rookie minicamp, but the Chiefs brought him back after defensive end Ethan Downs tore his ACL and the team needed depth on the defensive line.
Xavier Nwankpa has been turning heads all camp with a series of big hits, making a strong case for a roster spot.
Beth Goetz Gets Contract Extension, Big Pay Raise
In other Iowa athletics news, athletic director Beth Goetz has received a contract extension and a significant pay increase. Her previous contract ran through January 2029; the new deal extends through January 2032.
Her guaranteed base salary jumps from $850,000 to $1.4 million annually, effective September 1, 2026. That puts Goetz at approximately the median for Big Ten athletic directors, a notable improvement from her previous position near the bottom of the conference.
What Does This Mean for Iowa Football?
The record-setting draft class confirms Iowa's reputation as a developmental powerhouse, particularly on defense and special teams. With 101 players drafted under Ferentz and a dozen more fighting for NFL jobs this preseason, the pipeline from Iowa City to the pros remains strong.
As for Goetz, the pay raise signals the university's confidence in her leadership. Whether fans agree with the investment will likely depend on continued success across Iowa's athletic programs in the coming years.