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Iowa Football: Ranking the top five Hawkeyes in the NFL

By Justin Stallman

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 23: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers makes a catch against the Chicago Bears during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 23: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers makes a catch against the Chicago Bears during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /
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GREEN BAY, WI – NOVEMBER 06: Anthony Zettel #69 of the Detroit Lions rushes against Bryan Bulaga #75 of the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on September 28, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Lions defeated the Packers 30-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI – NOVEMBER 06: Anthony Zettel #69 of the Detroit Lions rushes against Bryan Bulaga #75 of the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on September 28, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Lions defeated the Packers 30-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

3. Bryan Bulaga

Bryan Bulaga joined the Iowa football program as a four-star recruit and the sixth-ranked tackle in the nation. The Crystal Lake, Illinois native decided on the Hawks despite possessing offers from Nebraska, Oklahoma State, and Wisconsin.

Bulaga got off to hot start at Iowa becoming a starter at Iowa as a true freshman left guard halfway through the season and eventually being named to the Freshman All-Big Ten team.  In 2008 Bulaga made the transition to left tackle and the rest is history as he played the rest of his Hawkeye career at that position. During his junior season, which would end up being his final season in Iowa City, Bulaga was named the Big Ten’s Offensive Lineman of the Year and a First Team All-American.

In 2010 Bulaga made the decision to skip his senior year at Iowa and went on to be selected 23rd overall in the NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers where he has spent his entire career protecting Aaron Rodgers.

Despite starting as a backup, Bulaga quickly earned a starter’s role on the Packers and was named to the NFL All-Rookie team.

Since joining the NFL, Bulaga has been one of the league’s premier tackles year in and year out. Although he’s returning from injury and on the wrong side of 30, I chose to place Bulaga at #3 because he’s proved he’s one of the most consistent tackles in the league.

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