Iowa football: 30 greatest players in Hawkeyes history
By Andrew Wade
Former Iowa football player Robert Gallery and absurd specimen of a human standing at 6-foot-7 and 325 pounds. His size was so ridiculous, it sort of spooked Drew Tate the first time he met the guy.
It wasn’t just size that Gallery had, though. He had a mean streak and unimaginable amount of talent. Gallery would go on to be one of the top offensive linemen among a fraternity of incredible lineman.
The Manchester, Iowa native was twice named First-Team All-Big Ten and was named unanimous All-American in his senior year. He also took home the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year award and was just the third Iowa football player to win the coveted Outland Trophy, given to the nation’s best offensive lineman.
More importantly than his accomplishments, Gallery was one of the guys who spearheaded Iowa’s movement to the top of the college football landscape. The Hawkeyes won 21 games over Gallery’s final two seasons, including 37-17 Outback Bowl victory over the Florida Gators and two top-10 rankings in the final AP poll.
After his incredible collegiate career, which included three years as a full-time starter and another year as a part-time starter, Gallery would go on to be the earliest selection in the modern era of the NFL Draft when he was picked No. 2 overall by the Oakland Raiders in 2004.