Sports
Sources: Collier back to Lynx on supermax deal
Napheesa Collier signs supermax contract to return to the Lynx
ESPN News1 min read
Sports
Iowa football LB Karson Sharar tabbed top NFL draft sleeper by ESPN
TL;DR
Iowa linebacker Karson Sharar has been identified by ESPN as a top sleeper in the upcoming NFL draft. He recorded 83 tackles and excelled in combine tests, showcasing his potential to impact an NFL roster.
Another year, another season in which the Iowa Hawkeyes had very strong linebacker play under the tutelage of defensive coordinator Phil Parker. Each year, he gets the most out of Iowa's linebacking group, and the 2025 season was no different.
Karson Sharar, an Iowa native from Iowa Falls, Iowa, led Iowa's linebacker group. In his first year at the reins, he blossomed and improved as the season went on. His sights are now set on the NFL, where ESPN views him as one of the top sleepers in this year's draft class who can make an impact on an NFL roster.
Karson Sharar, Iowa Hawkeyes
Key numbers: Team-high 83 tackles, 12 TFLs, four sacks, 6 QB pressures, one FF, one PBU in 2025. He led the team and ranked eighth in the Big Ten in tackles for loss.
Scouts Inc. ranking: Not rated
What else to know: Sharar spent only one season as a starter but made the most of his opportunity with the Hawkeyes, showing consistent production, even against top opponents like Indiana and Oregon. He also tested well at the combine, tying for second among linebackers in vertical jump (40 inches) and sixth in 40-yard dash (4.56 seconds).
"You could just see the adjustment he made to the speed of the game, as the year went on," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. "All he lacks is significant playing time, because he's very fast, he can get to the ball, very explosive kid, likes playing. He'll be interesting. There's a lot of value in whoever takes him, and he'll play special teams right away. He's a pretty gifted guy." - Adam Rittenberg, ESPN
Like any linebacker at Iowa, the gap schemes and responsibility soundness are two things Sharar does extremely well. He is in the right place at the right time and doesn't miss tackles. As shown by his combine numbers, he tested incredibly well, and his best football may still be ahead of him, with just one year starting on the Hawkeyes' defense.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7
This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire : Iowa football LB Karson Sharar tabbed top NFL draft sleeper by ESPN
Q&A
What are Karson Sharar's key statistics from the 2025 season?
Karson Sharar recorded 83 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, four sacks, and six quarterback pressures during the 2025 season.
Why is Karson Sharar considered a sleeper in the NFL draft?
Karson Sharar is considered a sleeper due to his impressive performance as a first-year starter and strong combine results, including a 40-inch vertical jump and a 4.56-second 40-yard dash.
How did Karson Sharar perform against top opponents in college?
Sharar showed consistent production against top opponents like Indiana and Oregon, demonstrating his ability to adapt to the speed of the game despite having only one season as a starter.
