The 2025 NFL season has only strengthened the Iowa Hawkeyes’ standing as one of college football’s top talent-development programs. Every year, Iowa discreetly transforms high school prospects into dependable college standouts, who go on to become polished professionals who thrive on Sundays. Five former Hawkeye players were selected to the NFL Pro Bowl this season, which is one of the league’s highest individual honors.
Another indication that the program’s influence extends well beyond Iowa City is Iowa’s inclusion on the Pro Bowl roster. Even though the Hawkeyes don’t always make headlines across the country, their influence can be seen throughout the NFL. Iowa’s development model continues to generate players who are at the top of the game, from elite offensive linemen to defensive difference-makers and skill-position stars.
Tight end George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers, offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, center Tyler Linderbaum of the Baltimore Ravens, defensive back Cooper DeJean of the Philadelphia Eagles, and linebacker Jack Campbell of the Detroit Lions are among this year’s Pro Bowl selections. Together, they stand for both established veterans and up-and-coming talent, demonstrating the program’s capacity to generate NFL success over several generations.
The honor is nothing new to Kittle, but its significance never fades. With his seventh Pro Bowl selection, the former Hawkeye tight end cemented his place among the most complete and reliable players in his position. Kittle, a proud graduate of Iowa’s “Tight End U” tradition, keeps raising the bar with his unique combination of toughness, athleticism, and unwavering effort. His longevity speaks for itself, but his ability to play at a high level well into his career is what makes him so well-liked throughout the league.
In the trenches, Tristan Wirfs has forged a similar route to greatness. Another indication of his dominance and dependability on the offensive line is the fact that the Buccaneers’ star offensive tackle was selected for his fifth Pro Bowl. Wirfs, who excels at both pass protection and run blocking, has emerged as one of the NFL’s most reliable defenders. His consistency is a reflection of the discipline and technical foundation he acquired at Iowa, qualities that have carried over to the workplace with ease.
Tyler Linderbaum, the center for the Baltimore Ravens, has been selected to the Pro Bowl three times and continues to lead one of the most physical offenses in the league. Linderbaum has made a name for himself as one of the best centers in football since joining the NFL. He has been crucial to Baltimore’s offensive success because of his intelligence, athleticism, and command of the line of scrimmage. Once more, Iowa’s ability to train linemen for NFL demands has paid off. Although Kittle, Wirfs, and Linderbaum are the program’s established stars, two up-and-coming players also achieved a significant milestone this season. The next generation of Hawkeye greats arrived when Cooper DeJean and Jack Campbell were selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time in their careers.
Currently playing for the Philadelphia Eagles, DeJean has become one of the most promising young defensive backs in the league. He has made an immediate impact thanks to his versatility, instincts, and playmaking ability, and his selection to the Pro Bowl validates what many in the league already suspected—that DeJean is just getting started. His development this season indicates that this award will probably be the first of many.
A similar pattern was seen in Jack Campbell’s breakthrough season with the Detroit Lions. The former Iowa linebacker, who demonstrated the physicality and football acumen that characterized his college career, has rapidly emerged as a crucial component of Detroit’s defense. His first Pro Bowl selection shows how well his game has adapted to the NFL and portends a successful future. When taken as a whole, these five Pro Bowl choices reveal more about Iowa football. Development, discipline, and durability are the cornerstones of this program. The Hawkeyes consistently demonstrate that their players are ready not only to make it to the NFL but also to succeed there, whether they are developing elite veterans or quickly rising rookies.
