The Iowa Hawkeyes currently have 25 players in the NFL. How have they been doing since they left Iowa? Where are they at in their careers and where are they going? Let’s find out as we look at five former Iowa Hawkeyes players who are in the currently in the National Football League.
Some of the 25 Iowa Hawkeyes who are currently in the NFL have had great success in the league in their careers. There are others who are moving along playing a silent but solid role on their team.
Let’s profile five memorable former Iowa Hawkeyes, Micah Hyde, Adrian Clayborn, Desmond King, George Kittle and Marshall Yanda.
Micah Hyde
Hyde was a Hawkeye from 2009 to 2012 and went to Iowa to play on defense and special teams. He earned several honors for his play at Iowa including first-team All-Big Ten honors and the Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year Award.
He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers with the 159th overall pick (26th in the sixth round) in the 2013 NFL Draft. Hyde ended up playing some special teams and had success returning kickoffs and punts. Soon he stepped into the role at safety with the Packers and played very well there. He ended up signing a five-year, $30 million contract with the Buffalo Bills and is having a great first year in Buffalo.
Hyde has played in 69 total games in his five-year career. He is a quick, athletic safety with great instincts. Hopefully, he has found his home in Buffalo and will be able to finish out his career there.
Adrian Clayborn
Clayborn was a highly touted recruit from Missouri who played defensive end for the Iowa Hawkeyes from 2006 to 2010. He won several honors while he was at Iowa including being named as a consensus All-American and a third team All-American by Phil Steele.
He was selected 20th overall in the first round of 2011 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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Clayborn played in Tampa Bay until 2014, and in 2015 he ended up being a free agent. He signed with the Atlanta Falcons that offseason receiving a two-year contract valued at $9 million. Last season, Clayborn ended the year on injured reserve. Since 2011, Clayborn has played in 71 games with 48 starts. He has not received any honors during his NFL career.
His contract with the Falcons ends after this season.
Clayborn had some good years where he could start and play regularly, but injuries have hampered his career. Hopefully, he can latch on with another team should he want to continue his NFL career beyond this season.
Desmond King
King hasn’t been in the NFL a full season, but he is already making a difference. King was a part of the Iowa Hawkeyes football team from 2013 to 2017. While at Iowa, he received the Jim Thorpe Award for the best defensive back in the nation and was named a Consensus All-American. It was thought that he would be a high draft pick, but King ended up going to the Los Angeles Chargers 151st overall in the 5th round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
In his first NFL season, King has been a backup and sits just behind starter Casey Hayward on the depth chart but has started two games. Through six games, King has recorded 23 total tackles with 21 solo. He also has two passes defended.
King should eventually take over as a full-time starter and end up being a rock in the secondary for the Chargers. He can also play on special teams as well if needed.
King has a bright future and will shine in the league.
George Kittle
George Kittle is another rookie in the NFL this year who has earned a starting role. Kittle was with the Iowa Hawkeyes from 2013 to 2016. Kittle was a touchdown-scoring machine during his time in Iowa catching ten touchdown passes during his time in Iowa City. Thanks to his efforts, he won Academic All-Big Ten honors.
Kittle was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers 146th overall in the 5th round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He is currently listed as the starter at tight end for the 49ers. Through six games this season, he has caught 22 passes for 2228 yards and one touchdown, and he is averaging 10.4 yards per catch.
There is a lot to like about Kittle and his future in the NFL. If he can stay healthy he should be able to catch a lot of passes and make a difference. He will be an important part of the future in San Francisco.
Marshall Yanda
The guard position is one that doesn’t garner a lot of attention, but there is one former Hawk who is bringing some attention to it. Marshall Yanda has seen his share of great performances in the NFL, as well as in college, and may redefine the guard position. Yanda came to the Hawkeyes for two years after playing for North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City. He played at Iowa from 2005 to 2007. While he was there he was named to the second-team All-Big Ten by the coaches of the conference.
Yanda was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens 68th overall in the 3rd round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He started right away and has been a starter ever since. Yanda has been one of the highest ranked guards in the NFL, has made the NFL’s Top 100 Players list and has been named to six Pro Bowls.
Unfortunately for Yanda, his season started off rough as he broke his ankle and will miss the all of 2017.
Yanda has redefined the guard position and is one of the most decorated former Hawkeyes in the NFL right now. Here’s hoping for a few more years with Baltimore.