Even though the Hawkeyes had a record-setting 2026 NFL Draft, that doesn't make it any easier for multiple Hawkeyes who weren't drafted.
Seven Hawkeyes were selected in this year's draft, a new Iowa program record, bringing the total number of players drafted under Kirk Ferentz to 101.
101 could have easily been 106, but that does not mean the journey is over for five former Hawkeyes who were on the outside looking in during the Draft.
Five former Hawkeyes were quickly scooped up as undrafted free agents
The University of Iowa is well-represented in the NFL, and after seven players were drafted, five more were added to NFL rosters.
- Aaron Graves, DL (Baltimore Ravens)
- Ethan Hurkett, DL (Kansas City Chiefs)
- Hayden Large, TE (Chicago Bears)
- Mark Gronowski, QB (Miami Dolphins)
- Xavier Nwankpa, S (Kansas City Chiefs)
The biggest surprise on this list is Mark Gronowski, after his dynamic four-year career at South Dakota State and his final season in Iowa City.
He finished his career as the NCAA's all-time leader in wins by a quarterback and tallied 12,071 passing yards and 103 passing touchdowns, adding 2,312 rushing yards and 53 rushing touchdowns.
Multiple organizations showed interest in Gronowski before the draft, and not giving him a chance after a stellar college career is baffling.
Xavier Nwankpa was also a surprise, given his athletic ability and physical tools, but he joins Ethan Hurkett as another former undrafted Hawkeye who the Chiefs quickly scooped up.
Even though the journey for these five isn't over, they will have to work that much harder to make a 53-man roster, a rare feat for an undrafted free agent.
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