Iowa Football: Five Former Hawkeyes Listed In NFL Top 400

Training camps are upon us in the NFL, and a ranking of the top 400 players in the game was done by MMQB. Five of those players selected came from the Iowa Hawkeyes.

The highest ranked player on the list was Packers defensive lineman Mike Daniels. Of Daniels MMQB stated:

"Daniels has outstanding gradual strength and flashes explosive movement skills from time to time. He’s a poor man’s Ndamukong Suh. Or, more accurately, he’s an upper-middle class man’s Ndamukong Suh. If we’re assuming that Ndamukong Suh is a rich man’s Ndamukong Suh. Anyway, you get the idea."

Daniels was a two-star recruit for the Hawkeyes after being a star running back in high school. He was an honorable mention All-Big Ten in his junior season, and 2nd team his senior year before going to Green Bay in the fourth round.

It is no shock that the highest ranked player for the Hawkeyes was not a ‘blue chip recruit’, and has worked his way into being one of the elite players at his position. The Iowa program is known for developing talent such as Daniels, year after year.

Also, in the lists top 100 is elite guard Marshal Yanda who graced the list at #69.

"Efficient movement skills and understanding of angles makes Yanda well-suited for Baltimore’s foundational outside-zone rushing attack."

After his time with the Hawkeyes, Yanda has carved out a career in Baltimore that may end in Canton. With 6 Pro Bowl appearances, and a Super Bowl ring in-hand, it is no surprise that he is still in the top 100, even after a decade in the league.

Further evidence that Iowa is one of the elite offensive line ‘factories’ in the country is shown with even more lineman on the list. Bryan Bulaga of the Green Bay Packers came in at #145, while the Redskins Brandon Scherff who went to the Pro Bowl last season was #125. With a new contract on the Minnesota Vikings, tackle Riley Reiff was also on the list at #189.

The only non-lineman on the list was Micah Hyde at #189. The often-dynamic Hyde signed a new contact with the Buffalo Bills in the off-season after 4 seasons in Green Bay. The rapid fans in #Billsmafia will enjoy the exciting play of Hyde who has been making plays since his days in Iowa City.

Other players could be making a push for the list next season include: CJ Fiedorowicz (Houston Texans), Christian Kirksey (Cleveland Browns) and Karl Klug (Tennessee Titans).

Of course, the Hawkeyes had four players drafted in 2017, and we should very well see one of the them on the list next season. It wouldn’t be a shock to any Iowa fans if Desmond King made an impact with the Chargers, or if George Kittle proved himself to be a building block at tight end for the 49ers.

In total, 32 former Hawkeyes are headed to training camp. Of which, some might not stick with the teams they are trying out with. But, we could be seeing more names on MMQB’s list come next season.