The Iowa Hawkeyes' offensive line was one of the best in the nation last season, finishing as semifinalists for the Joe Moore Award, which is presented to the top offensive line group in the nation.
The experienced unit paved the way for star running back Kaleb Johnson to rack up 1,537 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. Johnson's 21 touchdowns set a new school record for touchdowns in a single season, breaking Shonn Greene's previous record of 20 in 2008.
The 2025-2026 offensive line will be similar to last season's, featuring returning seniors Beau Stephens, Logan Jones, and Gennings Dunker.
The trio has over 60 combined starts on the offensive line and is projected to be one of the top units in the nation again this season.
One of the returning senior leaders received recognition ahead of the upcoming season.
Highest Graded Returning Big Ten Offensive Tackles💪 pic.twitter.com/E4Go85Zh1c
— PFF College (@PFF_College) June 20, 2025
PFF College ranked Gennings Dunker as the highest-graded returning offensive tackle in the Big Ten for the upcoming season. Dunker is entering his senior season and has 25 career starts on the offensive line.
Dunker, like many former successful Iowa offensive lineman, was a lightly-recruited prospect, and was developed by the Iowa program.
Before committing to the Hawkeyes, 247 ranked Dunker as Illinois' No. 15 recruit and the No. 535 overall prospect in the 2021 recruiting class.
Dunker improved every season following his redshirt year in 2021, including earning his first career start at right guard in the 2022 Music City Bowl in a 21-0 Iowa victory.
Following a stellar 2024-2025 season, Dunker was named a Second Team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches and a Third Team All-Big Ten selection by the media.
Dunker helped pave the way for a dynamic Iowa rushing attack that averaged 197.2 rushing yards per game (No. 3 in the Big Ten) and had seven games of 200-plus rushing yards.
The Iowa offense will look different in year two under offensive coordinator Tim Lester, without Johnson and adding transfer quarterback Mark Gronowski under center. One thing that will not change is the strength and depth of the offensive line.