Iowa Hawkeyes have most former players remaining in NFL Playoffs

Iowa football continues to be an NFL factory, with former Hawkeyes making up the largest percentage of players still remaining in the NFL playoffs.

The NFL Playoffs are down to the final four teams, with conference title games set to take place this coming weekend. Of all schools, Iowa football has the most former players still remaining in the playoffs.

The Hawkeyes have nine former players on active rosters, more than any other program. It’s the second straight year that Iowa has the most players on conference championship weekend.

This season, Iowa has players on all four remaining teams, meaning a former Hawkeye is guaranteed to win a Super Bowl this season.

Players include Micah Hyde, Ike Boettger and A.J. Epenesa of the Buffalo Bills, Christian Kirksey and Josh Jackson of the Green Bay Packers, Anthony Hitchens and Ben Niemann of the Kansas City Chiefs, and Tristan Wirfs and Anthony Nelson of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Of the remaining players, two are defensive backs (Hyde, Jackson), two are defensive linemen (Epenesa, Nelson), two are offensive linemen (Wirfs, Boettger), and three are linebackers (Kirksey, Hitchens, Niemann).

The Chiefs are set to host the Bills on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium in the AFC Championship, while the Packers will host the Buccaneers at Lambeau Field in the NFC Championship. Winners of each game will play in the Super Bowl.

Super Bowl 55 will take place on Sunday, Feb. 7 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL, where at least two former Hawkeyes will earn a Super Bowl ring.

Here’s the full list of schools with the most players remaining:

Iowa (9)
LSU, Michigan, Mississippi State (7)
Texas A&M (6)
Penn State (5)
Alabama, Clemson, Minnesota, James Madison (4)