Several former Iowa Hawkeye Football players participated in drills for the 2025 Pro Day on March 24. Pro Day is intended for players not invited to the NFL Combine to showcase their abilities for NFL scouts.
It is also a chance for players who participated in the combine to improve their draft status. Iowa Had seven players compete in the NFL Combine, and a few of the same players also competed in Pro Day drills.
All 32 NFL teams had representatives at Iowa's Pro Day. Not all players shared their measurements or participated in post-workout media interviews, but several Hawkeyes elected to do both.
Quinn Schulte, safety
Iowa safety Quinn Schulte was not invited to the NFL Combine, but competed in all the drills during Iowa's pro day.
Schulte stated he could not remember his 40-yard dash time, but he had some other impressive measurements. He had a 38-inch vertical jump, a nine-foot-nine-inch broad jump, and 15 bench press reps.
His vertical jump would have been in the upper tier of safties at the NFL Combine.
In his media day interview after pro day, Schulte said he was focused on improving speed, agility, and endurance to prepare for the next level.
Schulte tallied 62 total tackles and three interceptions in his senior season for the Hawkeyes. He ended his Hawkeyes career with 203 total tackles, six interceptions, and 13 passes defended.
Deontae Craig, defensive lineman
Former Iowa defensive lineman and multi-year starter Deontae Craig is another Hawkeye not invited to participate in the NFL Combine. Craig noted it was difficult not receiving an invitation to compete at the combine.
Craig did not share his measurements to save himself from being "incriminated by scouts," but did participate in media interviews.
He noted that the Iowa Football program definitely helps you on the field, but also helps you deal with adversity and hard times.
Craig had 43 total tackles, three sacks, and one pass defended in his senior season. He ended his Hawkeyes career with 142 total tackles, 15 sacks, and three forced fumbles.
Nick Jackson, linebacker
Nick Jackson is another former Hawkeye not invited to the combine. Jackson participated in all the drills, but only shared the measurements from his 40-yard dash.
Jackson ran a 4.65 40-yard dash, which would have ranked near the bottom in the NFL Combine.
Jackson was asked what he would remember most about being a Hawkeye, and he said getting to compete with his brothers. He would not trade it for the world.
Jackson had 110 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and one interception during his senior season.
He ended his Hawkeye career with 201 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and one interception.
Tyler Elsbury, offensive lineman
One of the biggest surprises of pro day was offensive lineman Tyler Elsbury. The six-foot-five, 365-pound offensive lineman aimed to impress scouts after not receiving an invite to the NFL Combine.
The numbers Elsbury's agent posted were impressive. He ran a 5.15-second 40-yard dash, 4.6-second 20-yard shuttle run, and had a 30.5-inch vertical.
Elsbury aims to move up draft boards after a solid pro day performance.
Jay Higgins, linebacker
Iowa star linebacker Jay Higgins participated in the pro day to improve on his NFL Combine performance.
Higgins significantly improved on his 20-yard shuttle time. His 4.14-second 20-yard shuttle was better than his 4.35-second time at the NFL Combine. His time would have led all linebackers at the combine.
Higgins noted his time improved because, at the combine, the shuttle run was his last drill, so he was tired.
Higgins had 124 tackles, four interceptions, and one sack during his senior season. Higgins finished his Hawkeye career with 342 tackles, five interceptions, 3.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles.
Luke Lachey, tight end
Iowa Hawkeye tight end Luke Lachey aims to be the next great NFL tight end from "Tight End U." Lachey competed in the 2025 Pro Day after also competing in the 2025 NFL Combine.
Lachey ran a 40-yard dash at the pro day after opting out of running during the combine. He ran a 4.77-second 40-yard dash, which would have ranked in the middle of participants for the combine.
Lachey aims to improve his draft stock after suffering injuries in his final two seasons as a Hawkeye. Lachey was a focal point of the offense when he was healthy.
Lachey's best statistical season came during his sophomore year. He tallied 398 receiving yards, with four touchdowns in 2022.
The Hawkeyes now await the 2025 NFL Draft that takes place from April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.