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The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Iowa defensive end A.J. Epenesa celebrates after making a play during an NCAA football game between Iowa and Wyoming in Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017.  (Joseph Cress/The Daily Iowan)

Epenesa appears early on 2020 NFL mock drafts

Pete Ruden, Sports Editor April 30, 2019

The 2019 NFL Draft just concluded (on April 27), but that didn’t stop some NFL Draft analysts from churning out their predictions for next year. Despite being slightly fewer than 365 days away from...

Iowa wide receiver Nick Easley talks to the media during Pro Day at the Football Performance Center on Monday, March 25, 2019.

Ruden: Easley belongs in the NFL

Pete Ruden, Sports Editor April 30, 2019

Just four years ago, Nick Easley didn’t look like he would ever be an NFL wide receiver. Even after a record-setting season at Newton High, Easley only received interest from NAIA and Division-3 programs,...

Iowa’s undrafted free agents look to stick around NFL

Iowa’s undrafted free agents look to stick around NFL

Pete Ruden, Sports Editor April 28, 2019

Four former Iowa football players heard their name called in the 2019 NFL Draft. T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant were selected by the Detroit Lions and Denver Broncos, respectively, in the first round, Anthony...

Iowa defensive back Amani Hooker tackles Mississippi State running back Aeris Williams during the Outback Bowl game between Iowa and Mississippi State at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. The Hawkeyes defeated the Bulldogs, 27-22.

Tennessee Titans select Iowa defensive back Amani Hooker in fourth round

Adam Hensley, Pregame Editor April 27, 2019

Safety Amani Hooker became the fourth Hawkeye selected in the 2019 NFL Draft. On Saturday, the Tennessee Titans drafted Hooker with the 14th pick in the second round (116th overall). Hooker earned...

Iowa defensive end Anthony Nelson celebrates during the game between Iowa and North Texas at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. The Hawkeyes went on to defeat the Mean Green 31-14. (Ben Smith/The Daily Iowan)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Iowa football’s Anthony Nelson in fourth round of NFL Draft

Adam Hensley, Pregame Editor April 27, 2019

Anthony Nelson is off the board after getting selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 107th pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Standing at 6’7, Nelson’s length will likely play a key role at the...

Iowa tight end Noah Fant (87) runs the ball during the Iowa/Maryland homecoming football game at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, October 20, 2018. The Hawkeyes defeated the Terrapins, 23-0.

Hockenson, Fant make NFL Draft history with first-round selections

Pete Ruden, Sports Editor April 25, 2019

For the first time in NFL Draft history, two tight ends from the same school have been selected in the first round of the same draft. T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant completed the Hawkeye tight end sweep...

Iowa tight end Noah Fant celebrates scoring a touchdown during Iowa's game against Illinois at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois, on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018. The Hawkeyes defeated the Fighting Illini 63-0.

Denver Broncos select Fant with pick No. 20

Pete Ruden, Sports Editor April 25, 2019

Noah Fant is officially off the board after getting chosen by the Denver Broncos with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Fant projects as a heavy threat in the passing game at the next level....

Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson celebrates after catching a touchdown pass during the Iowa/Ohio State football game in Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. The Hawkeyes defeated the Buckeyes in a storming fashion, 55-24. (Joseph Cress/The Daily Iowan)

Hockenson selected by Detroit Lions with pick No. 8

Pete Ruden, Sports Editor April 25, 2019

T.J. Hockenson became the first Hawkeye to hear his name called in the 2019 NFL Draft, as the Detroit Lions selected the tight end with the No. 8 pick. He is just the fourth tight end selected in the...

Iowa tight end Noah Fant celebrates scoring a touchdown during Iowa's game against Illinois at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois, on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018. The Hawkeyes defeated the Fighting Illini 63-0.

The Daily Iowan’s first-round NFL mock draft

Adam Hensley and Pete Ruden April 25, 2019

1. Arizona — Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma Murray showed he was a game-changer with Oklahoma. Arizona needs a game-changer. 2. San Francisco — Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State No-brainer here. Bosa is the...

Iowa's Noah Fant and TJ Hockenson celebrate a touchdown during a football game between Iowa and Wisconsin on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018. The Badgers defeated the Hawkeyes, 28-17.

T.J. Hockenson, Noah Fant seek to make history

Pete Ruden, Sports Editor April 24, 2019

T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant will try to make history as they take the stage at First and Broadway in Nashville, Tennessee, for the NFL Draft. The tandem of Hawkeyes could very well become the first pair...

Iowa defensive back Amani Hooker intercepts a Maryland pass during a football game between Iowa and Maryland in Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, October 20, 2018. The Hawkeyes defeated the Terrapins, 23-0.

Hawkeye football’s Hooker set to join NFL defensive back ranks

Adam Hensley, Pregame Editor April 24, 2019

The Iowa football program has a long-standing history of churning out defensive backs for the NFL,as scouts and general managers at the next level are well aware. Since 2012, five Hawkeye defensive backs...