3 undrafted Hawkeyes accomplished a rare feat by making a 53-man NFL roster

NFL roster cutdown day is one of the most difficult times of the year for players, and it was a massive day for multiple former Hawkeyes.

I13 Hawkeyes were the victims of roster cutdowns, including four rookies. Iowa sent a record-breaking seven players to the NFL via the NFL Draft, and six more signed as undrafted free agents. Unfortunately for a talented draft class of Hawkeyes, Aaron Graves (Baltimore Ravens), Ethan Hurkett (Kansas City Chiefs), Mark Gronowski (Miami Dolphins), and TJ Hall (New Orleans Saints), are all looking for new homes, but three surprising undrafted rookies made a 53-man roster.

Hayden Large, tight end (Chicago Bears)

One of the biggest surprises of the summer was former Hawkeye tight end Hayden Large, whose backstory is one of the most inspiring you will hear. Large suffered a brutal leg injury during his senior year in an inter-squad scrimmage when his hamstring popped and took a chunk of his pelvis with it. The doctor was sure that Large would never play football again, but by basketball season, he felt well enough to get back on the gridiron. Dordt College was one of the few lower-level programs playing football during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and it was the only offer Large had.

He took full advantage and even started his first game. After three seasons, Large transferred to Iowa, playing tight end and fullback for the Hawkeyes. The inconsistent Iowa offense hampered his production, but Large was often called the heart and soul of the team for his willingness to do whatever the program needed. He kept that same intense work ethic and attitude with the Bears during the preseason and became a special teams ace. With the top three tight end spots locked up, Large made an impact as the fourth tight end and on special teams.

If he were going to make the roster, it would be as the fourth tight end, if the Bears carried one, and his future was unknown heading into cutdown day. After Sunday's roster cutdown deadline, Large made the 53-man roster and will get his chance to play in the NFL.

Xavier Nwankpa, safety (Kansas City Chiefs)

As a former five-star prospect, the sky was the limit for former Southeast Polk star Xavier Nwankpa. He was one of the highest-ranked prospects to commit to the Hawkeyes, and he made an immediate impact. Nwankpa played in all 12 games as a true freshman and earned one start in his first year on campus. He became a staple of the secondary after his first season, starting 22 games at strong safety before shifting back to free safety during his senior year, which was his more comfortable position.

Nwankpa has always had immense talent, but it took until his final year with the Hawkeyes to tap into that potential. He surprisingly went undrafted and had a simple message for all 32 teams that passed on him: "Bet. Watch this." He backed up those words with a stellar preseason and was rumored to make the 53-man roster after putting up multiple solid performances this summer.

Nwankpa also had a viral moment during a Chiefs practice when he showed he is a heavy-hitter and solidified his spot on the roster. He absolutely annihilated former Nebraska running back and fellow rookie, Emmett Johnson, after Johnson attempted to juke him in the open field. While most players don't normally hit teammates like that in practice, it showed just how much Nwankpa wanted to make the roster, and the Iowa-Nebraska rivalry is alive and well.

After making the Chiefs' 53-man roster, Nwankpa has a good chance to make an immediate impact as the secondary has been hit by injuries and trades.

Drew Stevens, placekicker (Washington Commanders)

Drew Stevens had the least amount of drama surrounding him on cutdown day, with the Commanders already handing him the starting job earlier this month. Washington signed Stevens as an undrafted free agent to compete with veteran Jake Moody for the starting kicker job. Moody was only on a one-year deal, and Stevens' big leg and massive talent were too much for Washington to overlook. They cut Moody on August 17 and named Stevens their starting kicker.

Stevens had a solid career with the Hawkeyes, becoming the program's all-time leader in career made field goals and career made field goals over 50 yards. He suffered from the same inconsistency that most college kickers go through, but his talent and leg strength were always there. It was going to be difficult for a kicker to be drafted, but he quickly signed with the Commanders and had a good chance to make the 53-man roster from early on.

From undrafted free agent to starting kicker, Stevens has a lot to prove in his rookie season, but he has the talent and drive to be successful.

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