The NFL Draft concluded on Saturday and there were seven Iowa Hawkeyes taken in the seven rounds while Iowa St. and Nebraska had just one player selected. Here is the breakdown:
Iowa Hawkeyes
Offensive Lineman Logan Jones was the first Hawkeye taken in this years NFL Draft — Jones was selected by the Chicago Bears in the 2nd round and the 57th overall pick. Jones was the winner of the 2025 Rimington Trophy which is given to the best center in the country.
Offensive Lineman Gennings Dunker was taken in the 3rd Round and 96th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 6’5″ 319 pounder played right tackle for the Hawkeyes but is expected to be a guard in the NFL.
Wide Receiver/Returner Kaden Wetjen was also selected by the Steelers in the 4th Round and the 121st overall selection. Wetjen had three punt returns for a touchdown and one kickoff return for a touchdown this past season. He was selected as an All-American and is a two time winner of the Jet Award given to college football’s top returner.
Offensive Guard Beau Stephens was taken in the 5th Round and 148 overall by the Seattle Seahawks. Stephens started 25 career games for Iowa at left guard and 10 games at right guard.
Linebacker Karson Sharar is now with the Arizona Cardinals, selected in the 6th Round and 183 overall. Sharar had a huge senior season leading the Hawkeyes in tackles and tackles for a loss.
Cornerback TJ Hall was taken in the 7th Round by the New Orleans Saints and 219 overall. Hall will forever be known as the 100th player drafted under Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz. Hall was a Third Team All Big Ten selection in 2025 with 10 pass breakups to lead the Hawkeyes.
Defensive Edge Max Llewelyn was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the 7th Round and 236 overall. Llewelyn is from Urbandale and had 14.5 career sacks with Iowa.
Iowa St.
The only Cyclone taken this year was Defensive Tackle Domonique Orange in the 3rd Round by the Minnesota Vikings and 82nd overall pick. Nicknamed “Big Citrus,” Orange is 322 pounds and should take up a lot of space in the middle of the Vikings defensive line. Orange was a Third Team All Big 12 selection and was selected the National Player of the Week after ISU’s win over Iowa.
Nebraska
The only Cornhusker taken in the NFL Draft was Running Back Emmett Johnson in the 5th Round by the Kansas City Chiefs with the 161st pick overall. Johnson ran for 1,451 yards last season and 12 TD averaging 5.8 yards per carry. He finished his three year Husker career with 2,460 yards and 15 rushing TD. Johnson was also proficient as a pass catcher with 46 receptions last season for 370 yards and 3 TD.
