The Iowa football program might not be known for racking up National Championships, but you'd be hard-pressed to find a more consistent developmental program.
Kirk Ferentz and his staff have been extremely adept at recruiting the right prospects to fit their system, regardless of overall ranking, and turning them into NFL-caliber players. The program had seven players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, a new program record under Kirk Ferentz, and that will continue as long as he is in charge. As the program continues sending more talent to the league, two former Hawkeyes who are well-established in the NFL continue to prove why Iowa is such a superb developmental program.
Cooper DeJean, Jack Campbell made the NFL top 100 players list
Ever since entering the league, former Hawkeyes Cooper DeJean and Jack Campbell have become two of the top players at their position, and that trend continued last season. Before the 2026-2027 season begins, both players were selected to the NFL's top 100 players list and are becoming a fixture on it. Campbell has developed into a leader in the middle of the Detroit Lions' defense, anchoring a traditionally solid unit under Dan Campbell. Few players had the rookie season DeJean did for Philly, helping the organization win a Super Bowl trophy.
Cooper DeJean, defensive back (No. 38)
2025-2026 stats: 93 total tackles, 16 passes defended, 2 interceptions
DeJean's first two seasons in the NFL have been nothing short of amazing, especially after coming off a gruesome leg injury in his final season with the Hawkeyes. His leg injury caused him to fall slightly in the 2024 NFL Draft, but the Philadelphia Eagles still took a chance on him. After finally finishing his injury rehab, DeJean gave the Eagles' defense an instant boost and guided them to a Super Bowl Championship. He quickly became a fixture of the Eagles' secondary, and his versatility gives DC Vic Fangio a lot of options.
DeJean has become a player Philadelphia can't take off the field, thanks to his development at the University of Iowa. DeJean was an extremely athletic and talented prospect from Odebolt, Iowa, and he could have played on either side of the ball. He became a fixture of the Iowa secondary and on special teams, single-handedly taking over games for the Hawkeyes in multiple areas.
He is just one of many success stories to come out of the Iowa program, and he has nothing but praise for Ferentz and the program.
Jack Campbell, linebacker (No. 88)
2025-2026 stats: 176 total tackles, 5.0 sacks, 3.0 forced fumbles, 4 passes defended.
Campbell had a breakout season for Detroit last year, leading the defense in most statistical categories, and notched a rare feat. Campbell won the Dick Butkus Award for the best linebacker in the NFL, adding to the Butkus Award he already won in college with the Hawkeyes. Campbell was an anchor for the Iowa defense and has carried that into his tenure with the Lions. Before last season, Detroit head coach Dan Campbell handed the keys of the defense to Campbell, and it paid immediate dividends. Paired with star defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson, the Lions' defense has been formidable, even though they took a slight step back last year.
Campbell's record production proves that he is not only one of the best players on Detroit's defense, but also in the NFL. As one of the leading tacklers in the league last season, his overall ranking is low, and he could easily be considered one of the top players in the league right now. If he continues to stay healthy, Campbell will continue to put up solid numbers and be a leader of the defense.
Add us as a preferred source on Google