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Iowa football: Where members of the 2010 Orange Bowl champions are today

By Andrew Wade

TEMPE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: (L-R) De'Andre Johnson #30, Ricky Stanzi #12, Marvin McNutt #7, Adrian Clayborn #94 and Jeremiha Hunter #42 of the Iowa Hawkeyes prepare to take the field for the Insight Bowl against the Missouri Tigers at Sun Devil Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: (L-R) De'Andre Johnson #30, Ricky Stanzi #12, Marvin McNutt #7, Adrian Clayborn #94 and Jeremiha Hunter #42 of the Iowa Hawkeyes prepare to take the field for the Insight Bowl against the Missouri Tigers at Sun Devil Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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IOWA CITY, IA – NOVEMBER 20: Quarterback Ricky Stanzi #12 of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes signals a call at the line during second half action against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Kinnick Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Iowa City, Iowa. Ohio State won 20-17 over Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IA – NOVEMBER 20: Quarterback Ricky Stanzi #12 of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes signals a call at the line during second half action against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Kinnick Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Iowa City, Iowa. Ohio State won 20-17 over Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

Ricky Stanzi

Stanzi is arguably the best quarterback to play for the Iowa football program under Kirk Ferentz. In his time with the Hawks, he led them to three bowl victories and 26 victories overall. He also possessed a perfect record against top-five opponents (3-0) in this time.

At the conclusion of his career, he was third in most major statistics including 7,377 passing yards and 56 touchdown passes. Some of those, however, are likely to be surpassed by senior quarterback Nate Stanley next season.

After starting for the Hawkeyes for three seasons, Stanzi was selected in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. Until CJ Beathard was selected to years ago by the 49ers, Stanzi was the only quarterback in the Ferentz era to be selected in the NFL Draft.

Stanzi the manzi spent two years with the Chiefs as a backup, never attempting a pass, before being released. Since that time he has spent time with the Texans, Jaguars, Lions, Giants, and the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders (where he was just released from a few months ago).

He’s been living the quiet life since, presumably training for another shot at professional football, but at the ago of 30, his professional football career may be coming to a close very soon.