Veteran Michael Myslinski's Iowa career has been plagued by injuries, but it looks like that is finally in the rearview mirror.
Myslinski suffered a knee injury one game into his freshman season in 2021, and he struggled to get on the field after that. He played in only one game in 2022, none in 2023, and four in 2024 before finally staying healthy last season.
He appeared in a career-high eight games last season, and even briefly filled in for All-American Kade Pieper when he suffered an injury in Iowa's loss to USC on the road in Los Angeles. After completing his fifth year in Iowa City, Myslinski applied for a medical hardship waiver for one more season of eligibility, and we finally know the outcome.
Myslinski is officially back for a sixth year, will be in the mix for a starting spot
Perseverance has paid off for Myslinski, and after four difficult years on the sidelines with multiple injuries, he has one last chance to make an impact on the Iowa offensive line.
#uncszn one last run ! pic.twitter.com/sBzcNtbtKf
— Michael Myslinski (@MMys1inski) May 29, 2026
Myslinski announced the decision on social media, giving the program some great news near the end of May. Even though he was awaiting the NCAA's decision on his sixth year of eligibility, he was allowed to participate in spring practice. Now, he can officially rejoin the team, and he has a good chance of earning a starting role.
He took reps at right guard and center during the spring, battling with Kade Pieper for the starting center spot, with Logan Jones now with the Chicago Bears. After the spring, Ferentz hinted that Pieper has a leg up for the center spot, but having Myslinski in the mix is great for Iowa's depth.
With three veteran linemen no longer with the program, there are question marks surrounding those openings on the line. Pieper and Trevor Lauck were the only locks to start, with multiple players in the mix for the other three spots. If Myslinski is healthy, it gives the Hawkeyes a solid veteran presence who has been in the system for multiple years.
Myslinski will most likely compete for the starting right guard spot along with talented freshman Lucas Allgeyer, but it wouldn't be a surprise if he earns a starting role. There is no guarantee, but if he stays healthy, Myslinski will definitely be in the mix and a key part of the offensive line next season.
What Iowa's OL could look like with Myslinski in the mix
With Pieper taking the upper hand at the center position and Lauck returning after starting all 13 games at left tackle last season, there are still three positions up for grabs on the offensive line. Lauck narrowly beat out Jack Dotzler last season for the starting spot, with Dotzler now projected to earn the starting right tackle spot.
That leaves both guard spots open, with a few interesting scenarios possible. Iowa has two more potential center options in Cael Winter and Leighton Jones, and they could easily slide Pieper back to the right guard and use one of the two at center.
If Pieper stays at center, which looks like is the plan after the spring, Myslinski could occupy the right guard spot, with Allgeyer, Winter, and Jones all competing for the starting left guard spot. Iowa doesn't have a shortage of options, and having Myslinski back is a huge boost to the group.
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