Iowa Sets Record with Seven Players Picked in the 2026 NFL Draft

Another NFL Draft has come and gone, with over 250 players realizing their dreams of hearing their name called during the three-day broadcast. Seven of those names were Iowa Hawkeyes, who set a record for most players selected in a draft in a single year, further beefing up head coach Kirk Ferentz's Hall of Fame legacy.

I wrote about a couple Iowa prospects this spring, so it's only fitting I give you a brief look at each of the former Hawkeyes who are now newly minted NFL players. The headliner of the group is the mullet-man himself Gennings Dunker, who went viral for his unique look. The Lena, IL native is set to suit up for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he's not even the only Iowa player who got picked by the Steelers too.

Logan Jones (Center, Chicago Bears):

The first Iowa Hawkeye selected in the 2026 NFL Draft came in the second round (57th pick) to my Chicago Bears. Center Logan Jones got more publicity than most centers in the draft do. The Heinz 57 Company did a cute sponsor for the draft, rewarding the 57th pick of the draft a lifetime supply of ketchup. The irony? Ketchup is the most controversial condiment in the city of Chicago.

Gennings Dunker (Tackle, Pittsburgh Steelers):

A Lena, IL native, who boasts a distinctive look, including a long red mullet and moustache, Gennings Dunker found his NFL home in the third round when he was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 6'5'', 319-pound local boy is not only a promising prospect, but he also has "the greatest mullet in the history of the Combine" according to long-time Combine analyst and consummate professional Rich Eisen.

Kaden Wetjen (Wide Receiver, Pittsburgh Steelers):

Selected in the fourth round, with the 121st pick, Iowa's Kaden Wetjen was on the golf course when he got the call. It is rare for an Iowa receiver to get so much buzz, given the nature of the Hawkeye offense, but Wetjen shined with the team.

Kaden Wetjen showed up and showed out to the Combine, flexing his skills as a returner just like he did at Iowa. At only 5'9'', he's smaller than your average receiver, but promising in the slot. Out of high school, Wetjen didn't go to a Division-I school right away. Instead, he went to Iowa Western Community College before transferring to Iowa as a walk-on.

Beau Stephens (Offensive Lineman, Seattle Seahawks):

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Iowa offensive lineman Beau Stephens is headed to the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks after hearing his name called in the fifth round. Stephens was a four-year starter with the Hawkeyes, providing tremendous protection for a handful of different quarterbacks, en route to some Big Ten honors in 2025.

Karson Sharar (Linebacker, Arizona Cardinals):

An Iowa Falls native who spent five years with the black and gold, Karson Sharar was a sixth round flyer for the Arizona Cardinals. A linebacker, Sharar is expected to add some depth and development to an Arizona defense in need of playmakers all over their team.

TJ Hall (Corner, New Orleans Saints):

Going from Iowa to New Orleans is a culture shock and then some. Cornerback TJ Hall is going to see that first-hand. The corner heard his name called in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft following a solid career with the Hawkeyes.

Max Llewellyn (Defensive End, Miami Dolphins):

The final Iowa Hawkeye drafted in the 2026 NFL Draft was Max Llewellyn, an Urbandale native who spent five years with the Hawkeyes wrecking defenses and racking up sacks.

See a complete list of all the players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft on Wikipedia, and read more about the Iowa Hawkeyes who heard their name called this weekend on Hawk Central's website.