Iowa football: Top five biggest draft steals of Hawks

CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Tight end George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates his touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Tight end George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates his touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
3 of 6
MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 02: Micah Hyde #23 of the Buffalo Bills makes the catch for an interception (thrown by Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Miami Dolphins) during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 02: Micah Hyde #23 of the Buffalo Bills makes the catch for an interception (thrown by Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Miami Dolphins) during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Micah Hyde

Micah Hyde was the first Iowa football player to take home the Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year Award, and he paved the way for guys like Desmond King and Josh Jackson.

He was also the original version of Amani Hooker having played corner initially in the Iowa football program before transitioning to safety.

In his time with the Hawks, he racked up 240 tackles, 8 interceptions, 37 passes defended, and 4 forced fumbles while collecting two First Team All-Big Ten honors. He even ranked third on our top five defensive backs of the Kirk Ferentz era list.

Yet, come draft time, he just didn’t have the measurables NFL teams wanted plus he had a past arrest on his record from his time in Iowa City.

Whatever the reason, he fell to the fifth round where he was scooped up by the Green Bay Packers.

He’s been quite impressive since then. In his six-year NFL career, he has 374 tackles, 15 interceptions and 42 passes defended while getting one Pro Bowl nod and receiving All-Pro honors.