From Brock Purdy to Joe Burrow: Iowa’s connections across the NFL
By Doug Sawyer,
10 days ago
DES MOINES, Iowa — When the NFL season kicks off this week on NBC, Iowa will be represented by far more than just former Hawkeyes and Cyclones.
WHO 13's preseason roster audit found more than 80 players with Iowa connections who made it to NFL training camps this summer, with dozens landing on active rosters, practice squads or reserve lists entering the 2026 season.
The list includes players from the University of Iowa, Iowa State, Northern Iowa and Drake. But we expanded the search beyond the state's four Division I football programs to include players who grew up or played high school football in Iowa before leaving the state for college.
That brings some of the NFL's biggest names into the Iowa connection.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was born in Ames. Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel grew up in Rock Valley and played for Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley. Kansas City linebacker Jack Cochrane is a Mount Vernon native.
Foxborough, MA - August 25: New England Patriots tight end Eli Raridon speaks to reporters after practice at Gillette Stadium on August 25, 2026. (Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
New England rookie tight end Eli Raridon is from Des Moines and played at Valley High School before Notre Dame. The Patriots selected him in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and he made New England's active roster.
Tampa Bay has an unusual Iowa connection of its own: Christian Rozeboom and Ko Kieft both came out of Sioux Center High School. Rozeboom played at South Dakota State and Kieft at Minnesota before reaching the NFL. Tampa Bay signed Rozeboom in March and re-signed Kieft during the offseason.
Add those players to the large contingents from Iowa and Iowa State, and Iowa's NFL footprint stretches across much of the league.
Stars at the top
Former Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy again leads the San Francisco 49ers, while Burrow gives Iowa another connection to one of the NFL's premier quarterbacks.
Some of the most recognizable former Hawkeyes are also established NFL stars.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 5: Cooper DeJean #33 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the Denver Broncos at Lincoln Financial Field on October 5, 2025 in Philadelphia, United States. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
George Kittle remains one of the league's premier tight ends in San Francisco. Jack Campbell leads the Detroit defense, where former Hawkeye Sam LaPorta is also a key piece of the Lions' offense. Cooper DeJean is established in Philadelphia's secondary, Riley Moss remains in Denver and Tristan Wirfs anchors Tampa Bay's offensive line.
Iowa's offensive-line tradition is particularly visible across the league.
Tyler Linderbaum has a new home after leaving Baltimore and signing with Las Vegas. The Solon native started all 66 games he played during four seasons with the Ravens and earned three consecutive Pro Bowl selections before joining the Raiders.
Wirfs remains in Tampa Bay, while Alaric Jackson is with the Los Angeles Rams.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - AUGUST 14: Breece Hall #20 of the New York Jets looks on prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium on August 14, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images)
Iowa State's NFL group is headlined by Purdy, Breece Hall, David Montgomery and Will McDonald IV.
Montgomery is one of the biggest Iowa-related movers of the offseason. Houston acquired the former Cyclone from Detroit in a March trade.
New teams for familiar names
Several prominent Iowa-connected veterans will wear different uniforms in 2026.
Former Hawkeye defensive end A.J. Epenesa is now with Philadelphia after six seasons in Buffalo. The Eagles signed Epenesa in June, adding his 24 career sacks to their defense.
Former Hawkeye running back Kaleb Johnson also changed teams just before the final roster deadline. Pittsburgh traded Johnson to Green Bay for a 2028 sixth-round draft pick. Johnson, a third-round pick in 2025, is now part of the Packers' backfield.
Chauncey Golston is with the New York Giants after previously playing in Dallas, while former Northern Iowa defensive back Elijah Campbell is also on the Giants roster.
HOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 13: Linebacker Jake Hummel of the Houston Texans on the field during the NFL preseason game between Houston Texans and Los Angeles Chargers on August 13, 2026, at Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Houston has assembled a particularly interesting collection of Iowa State connections. In addition to Montgomery, the Texans have former Cyclones Jake Hummel and Xavier Hutchinson on the roster. Hummel adds another local connection: he is a Des Moines native and Dowling Catholic graduate.
A large rookie class
The 2026 NFL Draft was historic for Iowa.
Seven Hawkeyes were selected, the most Iowa has produced in the seven-round era: Logan Jones, Gennings Dunker, Kaden Wetjen, Beau Stephens, Karson Sharar, TJ Hall and Max Llewellyn.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 21: Kaden Wetjen #10 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs the ball during the third quarter of a preseason game against New York Jets at Acrisure Stadium on August 21, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images)
Wetjen is one of the most intriguing players to watch.
Pittsburgh selected the former Hawkeye return specialist in the fourth round. Wetjen made the Steelers' active roster after showing his return ability throughout the preseason.
Gennings Dunker also made Pittsburgh's roster, while Logan Jones is with Chicago, Beau Stephens with Seattle and Karson Sharar with Arizona.
Seattle's current roster lists Stephens as active, while former Hawkeye Mason Richman is on reserve. Former Drake tight end Eric Saubert is also active with the Seahawks.
Raridon represents the other side of WHO 13's expanded search. The former Valley standout never played college football in Iowa, but he is unquestionably an Iowa NFL connection. NFL records list the rookie tight end as active with New England and his hometown as Des Moines.
Practice squads keep Iowa connections alive
Missing the 53-man roster did not necessarily mean the end of the road.
Several former Iowa players returned to their organizations on practice squads after clearing waivers, while others found opportunities with new teams.
Former Hawkeye running back Tyler Goodson remained with Atlanta on its practice squad. Sebastian Castro and Brandon Smith stayed with Pittsburgh, while Geno Stone returned to Buffalo's organization.
Max Llewellyn experienced one of the more unusual roster weekends. Miami initially kept the former Hawkeye on its 53-man roster before waiving him following the team's waiver claims. He subsequently returned to the organization on the practice squad.
Former Hawkeye Kaevon Merriweather landed with Jacksonville's practice squad, while former Iowa and Purdue return specialist Charlie Jones joined the New York Giants.
Practice squads are fluid, and those players can be elevated for games, signed to active rosters or picked up by another NFL team as the season progresses.
Injuries already having an impact
Not every Iowa-connected player will be available when the season begins.
Former Iowa State receiver Jayden Higgins suffered a torn ACL during the preseason, taking him out of Houston's plans for the season.
Former Hawkeye Mason Richman is on Seattle's reserve list. Other Iowa-connected players have also landed on reserve or injured lists as teams finalized their opening-week rosters.
Those designations are an important reason the number of Iowa-connected players is larger than simply counting names on the 32 active 53-man rosters.
Iowa connections extend beyond the Hawkeyes and Cyclones
Northern Iowa continues to have an NFL presence.
Buffalo offensive tackle Spencer Brown, New Orleans offensive lineman Trevor Penning and defensive tackle Khristian Boyd are among the Panthers in the league. Elijah Campbell is with the Giants.
Drake is represented by veteran tight end Eric Saubert in Seattle.
Then there are the players whose Iowa roots are found in their hometowns and high schools.
Burrow was born in Ames before his family eventually moved to Ohio.
Van Ginkel came out of Rock Valley. Cochrane came out of Mount Vernon. Raridon played at Valley. Rozeboom and Kieft both played at Sioux Center.
That group is one reason WHO 13's list is considerably larger than a traditional "Hawkeyes in the NFL" or "Cyclones in the NFL" tracker.
Iowa-connected players entering the 2026 NFL season
Roster designations can change throughout the season. The table includes players on active rosters, practice squads and reserve lists, along with Iowa-connected players who were released during the final roster process and remain available to sign elsewhere.
Player
NFL team
Iowa connection
Status
Erick All Jr.
Cincinnati
Iowa
Active roster
Dylan Barrett
Free agent
Iowa State
Released by Green Bay
Dane Belton
N.Y. Jets
Iowa
Active roster
Yahya Black
Pittsburgh
Iowa
Active roster
Jim Bonifas
Free agent
Iowa State / Dubuque
Released by Miami
Khristian Boyd
New Orleans
Northern Iowa
Active roster
Spencer Brown
Buffalo
Northern Iowa / Lenox
Active roster
Joe Burrow
Cincinnati
Ames native
Active; starting QB
Jack Campbell
Detroit
Iowa / Cedar Falls
Active; starting LB
Elijah Campbell
N.Y. Giants
Northern Iowa
Active; DB/special teams
Sebastian Castro
Pittsburgh
Iowa
Practice squad
Jack Cochrane
Kansas City
Mount Vernon
Active; LB/special teams
Connor Colby
San Francisco
Iowa
Active roster
Cooper DeJean
Philadelphia
Iowa / Odebolt
Active; DB
James Daniels
Free agent
Iowa
Veteran free agent
Gennings Dunker
Pittsburgh
Iowa
Active roster; rookie OL
A.J. Epenesa
Philadelphia
Iowa
Active; EDGE/OLB
Noah Fant
New Orleans
Iowa
Active roster
Chauncey Golston
N.Y. Giants
Iowa
Active; defensive line/EDGE
Tyler Goodson
Atlanta
Iowa
Practice squad
Aaron Graves
Free agent
Iowa
Released by Baltimore
Mark Gronowski
Free agent
Iowa
Released during final roster process
TJ Hall Jr.
New Orleans
Iowa
Practice squad
Breece Hall
N.Y. Jets
Iowa State
Active; RB
Matt Haack
Free agent
Dowling Catholic / West Des Moines
Veteran punter
Jack Heflin
N.Y. Jets
Iowa
Practice squad
Jayden Higgins
Houston
Iowa State
Reserve/injured; torn ACL
Jay Higgins
Baltimore
Iowa
Active roster
T.J. Hockenson
Minnesota
Iowa
Active; TE
Amani Hooker
Tennessee
Iowa
Active; safety
Jake Hummel
Houston
Iowa State / Dowling Catholic / Des Moines
Active; LB
Ethan Hurkett
Free agent
Iowa
Released by Kansas City
Xavier Hutchinson
Houston
Iowa State
Active; WR
Anthony Johnson Jr.
Free agent
Iowa State
Released during roster cuts
Kaleb Johnson
Green Bay
Iowa
Active; acquired from Pittsburgh
Logan Jones
Chicago
Iowa / Council Bluffs
Active; rookie C
Charlie Jones
N.Y. Giants
Iowa / Purdue
Practice squad; WR/returner
Alaric Jackson
L.A. Rams
Iowa
Active; OT
Ko Kieft
Tampa Bay
Sioux Center / Minnesota
Active; TE/special teams
George Kittle
San Francisco
Iowa
Active; TE
Charlie Kolar
L.A. Chargers
Iowa State
Active; TE
Casey Kreiter
Arizona
Iowa
Active; long snapper
Luke Lachey
Green Bay
Iowa
Reserve/injured
Sam LaPorta
Detroit
Iowa
Active; TE
Hayden Large
Chicago
Iowa / Dordt
Reserve/injured
Max Llewellyn
Miami
Iowa / Urbandale
Practice squad
Tyler Linderbaum
Las Vegas
Iowa / Solon
Active; starting C
Logan Lee
Pittsburgh
Iowa
Reserve/injured
Kaevon Merriweather
Jacksonville
Iowa
Practice squad
Will McDonald IV
N.Y. Jets
Iowa State
Active; EDGE
Tyler Miller
Denver
Iowa State
Practice squad
David Montgomery
Houston
Iowa State
Active; RB
Riley Moss
Denver
Iowa
Active; CB
James Neal III
Houston
Iowa State
Practice squad
Anthony Nelson
Tampa Bay
Iowa
Active; EDGE
Nick Niemann
Green Bay
Iowa
Active; LB/special teams
Jaylin Noel
Houston
Iowa State
Active; WR/returner
Kene Nwangwu
N.Y. Jets
Iowa State
Active; RB/returner
Xavier Nwankpa
Kansas City
Iowa
Active; rookie S
Domonique Orange
Minnesota
Iowa State
Active; rookie DT
Trevor Penning
New Orleans
Northern Iowa
Active; OL
Darien Porter
Las Vegas
Iowa State
Active; CB
Brock Purdy
San Francisco
Iowa State
Active; starting QB
Eli Raridon
New England
Valley HS / Des Moines / Notre Dame
Active; rookie TE
Mason Richman
Seattle
Iowa
Reserve/injured
Christian Rozeboom
Tampa Bay
Sioux Center / South Dakota State
Active; LB
Eric Saubert
Seattle
Drake
Active; TE/special teams
Karson Sharar
Arizona
Iowa
Active; rookie LB
Brandon Smith
Pittsburgh
Iowa
Practice squad
Ihmir Smith-Marsette
Arizona
Iowa
Practice squad; WR/returner
J.R. Singleton
Free agent
Iowa State
Released by Seattle
Drew Stevens
Washington
Iowa
Active; K
Beau Stephens
Seattle
Iowa
Active; rookie OL
Geno Stone
Buffalo
Iowa
Practice squad
TJ Tampa
Baltimore
Iowa State
Active; CB
Tory Taylor
Chicago
Iowa
Active; P
Jalen Travis
Indianapolis
Iowa State
Active; OT
Eyioma Uwazurike
Denver
Iowa State
Active; DT
Andrew Van Ginkel
Minnesota
Rock Valley / Wisconsin
Active; LB/EDGE
Lukas Van Ness
Green Bay
Iowa
Active; EDGE
Malik Verdon
Atlanta
Iowa State
Reserve/injured
Kristian Welch
Green Bay
Iowa
Practice squad
Kaden Wetjen
Pittsburgh
Iowa / Williamsburg
Active; WR/return specialist
Tristan Wirfs
Tampa Bay
Iowa / Mount Vernon
Active; OT
The list is a snapshot entering Week 1. NFL rosters will continue to change through injuries, trades, waiver claims, practice-squad promotions and free-agent signings.
WHO 13 will update the list as Iowa-connected players change teams or roster status during the 2026 season.
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