What does Iowa’s performance in the draft say about their last two seasons?

TL;DR

The Iowa Hawkeyes had a record seven players drafted, but their recent performance raises questions about team success. Despite producing NFL-caliber talent, Iowa struggles to secure high-impact positions, particularly quarterback.

Key points

Iowa had a record seven players drafted this year.
Total of 12 players drafted over the last two seasons.
Lack of high-impact positions, especially quarterback.
Iowa's draft success contrasts with their team performance.

Mentioned in this story

Kirk Ferentz

Iowa HawkeyesNFL Draft

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 15: Kirk Ferentz, Head Coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes walks off the field after a game between Iowa Hawkeyes and University of Southern California Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 15, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Melinda Meijer/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) | ISI Photos via Getty Images The Iowa Hawkeyes had 7 players drafted this past weekend, a record for the program. The two year stack for the program is 12, most recently matched by the 2010, 2011, and 2012 draft classes when six Hawks were taken each year. Unlike that stretch of seasons, Iowa was unable to capitalize on the same level of team success as they had by hoisting the lone NY6 bowl trophy of Kirk Ferentz’s tenure. So what does it say that Iowa is able to churn out NFL-caliber athletes at a consistently high rate yet is unable to convert it into high-level team success? Have they underachieved? **The draftees have not been at the most important** **positions** The players making the most in the NFL right now are quarterbacks, rush ends, wide receivers, tackles, and cornerbacks. Among those positions, only Mason Richman (7th round, 2025), Gennings Dunker (3rd round, 2026), Kaden Wetjen (4th round, 2026), (7th round, 2026), and (7th round, 2026) have fallen into those categories. And, let’s be real, Wetjen was drafted primarily for his returning prowess more than his abilities as a receiver (though he flashed in the lead up to the Senior Bowl). Big Ten teams who made the playoffs in either of the last two years have had the high impact positions taken in the last two drafts:

Q&A

How many players did Iowa have drafted in the last two years?

Iowa had a total of 12 players drafted over the last two years.

What positions did Iowa's drafted players primarily fill?

Most of Iowa's drafted players filled positions such as offensive line and linebacker, with a notable lack of quarterbacks and high-impact skill positions.

What does Iowa's draft performance indicate about their recent seasons?

Iowa's draft performance suggests they have produced talent but failed to convert it into significant team success, particularly in high-impact positions.

Which teams had more players drafted than Iowa in the last two years?

Teams like Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana had more players drafted than Iowa, with Ohio State leading with 25 overall picks.