The Hawkeyes had a program-record seven players drafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, and a handful more were signed as undrafted free agents.
Former Hawkeye quarterback Mark Gronowski and safety Xavier Nwankpa have made headlines recently, both for very different reasons. Nwankpa has been opening a lot of eyes during offseason practices and workouts with the Kansas City Chiefs, while Gronowski was waived and promptly re-signed just under 10 days later by the Miami Dolphins. While all six undrafted Hawkeyes attempt to stick with an NFL organization, none of them have a clearer path than kicker Drew Stevens.
The Commanders removed Drew Stevens only competition for the starting kicker spot
Stevens had a record-setting final season in Iowa City, becoming the program's all-time leader in made field goals (76) and the most 50-plus-yard field goals made (12), but went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft. It didn't take long for the Commanders to scoop him up in free agency to compete with Jake Moody for the starting spot. Moody was re-signed in the offseason to a one-year deal, but his time in our nation's capital is over. The Commanders waived Moody after their first preseason game against the Miami Dolphins, almost certainly handing the job to Stevens.
Former Hawkeye kicker Drew Stevens wins the Washington starting job https://t.co/paMP67v4xl
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) August 17, 2026
Moody was solid for the Chicago Bears and the Commanders, knocking through 19/23 field goals, including an impressive 10/11 in Washington. He also made both of his 50-plus-yard attempts, including a long of 56. Moody was on a limited contract, and with Stevens on a potentially much cheaper deal and four years younger, the organization all but gave him the job. Before landing with the Bears last season, Moody bounced around due to suffering from the yips, and now he is looking for his third home in two years.
While Stevens winning the job came at Moody's expense, it proves how much Washington values him. Stevens had an up-and-down career as most college kickers do, but his big leg and ability to make some important kicks in clutch situations were more than enough for Washington to initially take a chance on him. He finished his Iowa career with 352 total points (124 PAT, 76 FG), making 98 percent of his extra point attempts (124/126) and 80 percent of his field goal attempts (76/95). His 76 made field goals rank fourth all-time in Big Ten Conference history.
Stevens has the leg and the resume to be a successful NFL kicker, and hopefully the days of inconsistency are in his rearview mirror. After Moody was waived, Stevens is the only kicker left on the roster, and unless the Commanders decide to make a very late addition, the job is his.
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