Ever since stealing offensive lineman Kade Pieper from rival Nebraska in the 2023 recruiting class, the blossoming star has been a godsend for the Iowa program.
In typical Kirk Ferentz fashion, the program took a chance on a three-star offensive lineman, and he has turned into a massive win. The Norfolk, Nebraska, native was a versatile prospect, lining up on both the offensive and defensive lines. The Hawkeyes valued him more on the offensive line, and the rest is history. After a dominating 2025-2026 season, Pieper is back, and the program is thanking its lucky stars.
Pieper never really considered leaving Iowa for the NFL
Pieper was a key piece of the Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line last season in his first season as a starter. He started all 13 games at right guard, and the NFL buzz started almost immediately after the season concluded. Pieper made it clear he never truly considered leaving Iowa early, and we now know what he told OL coach George Barnett during their discussion.
'Coach, I'm Good': George Barnett Shares Kade Pieper's Simple NFL Decision
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) June 28, 2026
“The conversation was really quick."https://t.co/Js1GLSxSMU
After last season, Pieper had far more NFL Draft buzz than anyone realized, and he had every chance to leave the program and enter the draft. In an exclusive interview with Hawkeye Insider's David Eickholt, Barnett admitted that he discussed the possibility of Pieper leaving, but it didn't last very long. Barnett was the one who brought it up with Pieper because Pieper was never going to do it himself. That's how much these players love the Iowa program,
In mid January, CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz reported that instead of becoming a sure-fire first-round draft pick, Pieper decided to return to Iowa. This was the first time most people had heard about Pieper potentially leaving, but he quickly shut that down. Now we know that he reportedly told Barnett in three simple words, "Coach, I'm good."
He has also repeatedly told people in his camp not to bring it up and that he doesn't really care about it. Kirk Ferentz has always taken a more hands-on approach, especially with offensive linemen, and it has led to the program producing NFL-caliber linemen. Iowa has produced back-to-back premier centers in Tyler Linderbaum and Logan Jones, and that trend could continue with Kade Pieper after his decision not to leave for the NFL.
Iowa is slowly becoming "Offensive Line U," and Ferentz's influence on recruits cannot be undersold. Without Pieper in the lineup, the program would have been much worse off, and we would be having a drastically different conversation. Luckily, we don't have to have that conversation for at least one more season.
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