Who are the Iowa Hawkeye football players in the NFL?

Megan Bridgeman

Hawk Central

It's almost the end of April, and that means the NFL draft is nearly upon us.

Iowa football players Lukas Van Ness and Jack Campbell prepare for the draft, and we'll be watching to see where they land. Which leads to another question: Where are the past Hawkeyes that were drafted?

Here's a look at some of the most notable former Iowa Football players who are still in the NFL.

Noah Fant, Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87) was a first-round pick in 2019 out of Iowa.

Noah Fant spent the first years of his professional career with the Denver Broncos before being traded to the Seattle Seahawks in 2022, the NFL lists on its website. He was selected in the first round of the NFL draft in 2019. In 2022, he totaled 486 yards in 50 receptions and four touchdowns with Seattle, led by quarterback Geno Smith.

James Ferentz, New England Patriots

James Ferentz (right) entered into the NFL in 2014.

Yes, James Ferentz is the son of Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz. He's had a long history in the NFL from Houston to Denver to New England, but was signed back to New England as a free agent in 2022, according to the Patriots.

T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings' T.J. Hockenson was a top-10 overall pick in 2019.

T.J. Hockenson played four years with the Detroit Lions until he was traded to Minnesota during the 2022 season. He was drafted to Detroit as the eighth pick in the first round in 2019. In total for 2022 with the Lions and the Vikings, Hockenson recorded 914 yards and six touchdowns.

George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers

George Kittle was drafted by the 49ers in the 2017 NFL draft.

George Kittle was selected by the 49ers in the 5th round of the NFL draft in 2017. In 2022, he recorded 765 yards and 11 touchdowns as the 49ers almost made it to the Super Bowl last year with rookie quarterback and former Iowa State player Brock Purdy. His tremendous NFL success includes four Pro Bowl appearances and being named a first-team All-Pro in 2019. He has set a number of records for the 49ers franchise, including most receiving yards in a game by a tight end and most receptions in a single season by a tight end.

Tyler Linderbaum, Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens 2022 first-round pick Tyler Linderbaum is a former Iowa Hawkeye.

Tyler Linderbaum was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the NFL draft in 2022. He started each game for the Ravens in 2022, including its lone playoff game.

Other former Iowa football players in the NFL

Here's a list of other players who have been selected in the NFL draft or signed as free agents in the NFL, according to Our Lads.

C.J. Beathard, Jacksonville Jaguars
Dane Belton, New York Giants
Ike Boettger, Buffalo Bills
Coy Cronk, Jacksonville Jaguars
James Daniels, Pittsburgh Steelers
Carl Davis Jr., New England Patriots
A.J. Epenesa, Buffalo Bills
Alaric Jackson, L.A. Rams
Josh Jackson, Arizona Cardinals
Jake Gervase, L.A. Rams
Chauncey Golston, Dallas Cowboys
Tyler Goodson, Green Bay Packers
Matt Hankins, Atlanta Falcons
Parker Hesse, Atlanta Falcons
Amani Hooker, Tennessee Titans
Micah Hyde, Buffalo Bills
Josey Jewell, Denver Broncos
Jaleel Johnson, Atlanta Falcons
Desmond King II, Houston Texans
Christian Kirksey, Houston Texans
Casey Kreiter, New York Giants
Greg Mabin, Tennessee Titans
Anthony Nelson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Matt Nelson, Detroit Lions
Ben Niemann, Arizona Cardinals
Nick Niemann, Los Angeles Chargers
Michael Ojemudia, Chicago Bears
Riley Reiff, New England Patriots
Brandon Scherff, Jacksonville Jaguars
Caleb Shudak, Tennessee Titans
Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Kansas City Chiefs
Geno Stone, Baltimore Ravens
Zach VanValkenburg, L.A. Rams
Kristian Welch, Baltimore Ravens
Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers