Iowa has become an OL pipeline to the NFL, and that trend continued this offseason.
The Hawkeyes had three offensive linemen selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, including Logan Jones (Chicago Bears - Rd. 2, Pk. 57), Gennings Dunker (Pittsburgh Steelers - Rd. 3, Pk. 96), and Beau Stephens (Seattle Seahawks - Rd. 5, Pk. 148). Iowa's elite development is well-known in NFL circles, with over 100 players selected in the Draft during Ferentz's tenure. The two most successful groups of players have been tight ends and offensive linemen, and a former star Hawkeye center recently earned a unique distinction.
Former Hawkeye center Tyler Linderbaum was named to a Big Ten All-Decade squad
The Baltimore Ravens made the surprising decision to decline Tyler Linderbaum's fifth-year option, making him a free agent at the end of last season after the Ravens and Linderbaum failed to reach a new contract agreement. He wasn't on the market for very long as the Las Vegas Raiders gave him a three-year, $81 million contract, making him the highest-paid center in NFL history. The summer continues to get better for the former Hawkeye star as he also earned another unique distinction.
PFF’s All-Decade Big Ten Team Since 2016⭐️ pic.twitter.com/vfad2OUZlV
— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 20, 2026
Pro Football Focus (PFF) named Linderbaum to its Big Ten All-Decade Team, locking in his place as the top center in the Big Ten over the past decade. Iowa has had two premier centers over the past decade, with both Linderbaum and new Chicago Bears center Logan Jones locking down the position since 2019. Linderbaum earned the Rimington Award for the best center in college football, he was voted a consensus First-Team All-American, and started 34 total games at Iowa before being drafted by the Baltimore Ravens.
Linderbaum was the obvious choice for PFF's Big Ten All-Decade Team, and he earned that distinction with his play and leadership on the field. Linderbaum's selection to the team also proves just how good the Iowa program is at developing offensive linemen, largely due to their head coach.
Kirk Ferentz and Iowa are truly elite at developing offensive linemen
Two of the highest-paid offensive linemen in the NFL are former Hawkeyes (Tristan Wirfs, Tyler Linderbaum), not to mention the multiple other former Hawkeye OL who have made a massive impact at the next level. Robert Gallery, Marshal Yanda, and Brandon Scherff are just a few others, solidifying the Hawkeye program as one of the premier OL development programs.
Before becoming head coach at Maine University, Kirk Ferentz was the offensive line coach for legendary Iowa head coach Hayden Fry and for the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns in the NFL. His time as an OL coach definitely shows, because Iowa consistently has some of the best offensive line units in college football. There is a reason offensive linemen commit to the Iowa program and stay as long as they can. If you want to succeed in college and be better prepared for the NFL, come to Iowa to get the best OL training you can get.
Iowa has been affectionately dubbed "Tight End U," but that could easily change to "O-line U" if the program continues to pump out talented offensive linemen.
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