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Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz stands atop NFL Draft talent pipeline
TL;DR
Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz is leading the NFL Draft talent pipeline, with several Hawkeyes expected to be selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. Ferentz is on track to surpass 100 all-time NFL draft picks as a coach.
Key points
- Kirk Ferentz has 94 NFL draft picks.
- Gennings Dunker is a top prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft.
- Iowa could see up to nine players drafted this year.
Mentioned in this story
Kirk Ferentz
Gennings DunkerIowa Hawkeyes
The 2026 NFL Draft is underway, with the first round in the books. The Iowa Hawkeyes figure to see names of their own going off the board today and tomorrow, as yet another class of prospects is set to fuel the pipeline from Iowa City to the NFL.
The NFL Draft sees Day 2 get underway this evening, and could see talented offensive lineman Gennings Dunker off the board soon, as he is a talented prospect ready to step in and start right away. He will be the first of a group of Iowa Hawkeyes going to the NFL, which will further Kirk Ferentz's spot atop the list of college football coaches with the most all-time NFL draft picks.
1 - Kirk Ferentz (94)
A longevity award as much as it is a credit to high-level recruiting and player development, Ferentz is the winningest coach in program history with a pair of Big Ten titles and several coach of the year honors since taking over in December 1998. Early in his Iowa tenure, Dallas Clark, Robert Gallery and Chad Greenway were Ferentz's first three Day 1 picks as a coach, and there have been 10 others since, including Lukas Van Ness and in 2023.
Q&A
How many players has Kirk Ferentz had drafted in the NFL?
Kirk Ferentz has had 94 players drafted in the NFL, making him the coach with the most all-time selections.
Who are some notable Iowa players expected to be drafted in 2026?
Talented offensive lineman Gennings Dunker is among the Iowa players expected to be drafted in 2026.
What impact does Kirk Ferentz's success have on Iowa football?
Ferentz's success in the NFL Draft enhances Iowa's reputation as a strong program for player development and recruiting.
