As the college football season draws to a close, attention is starting to turn to Iowa’s senior class’s future. The ReliaQuest Bowl on Wednesday may be the last time that almost thirty Hawkeyes will play in black and gold. However, the journey doesn’t end there for a number of them. Rather, it’s continuing on to the national scene, where postseason performances provide a final opportunity to leave an impression.
With their 13th straight winning season since 2012—a remarkable run of consistency under Kirk Ferentz—the Hawkeyes concluded another successful regular season. Even though Iowa didn’t make it to the College Football Playoff in the end, the year wasn’t exactly disappointing. Even in the face of narrow defeats, there was a great sense of pride and enjoyment within the program as the team accumulated awards and recognition.
That acknowledgment began at the outset. The Joe Moore Award, which is given every year to the best blocking unit in the country, went to Iowa’s offensive line. For a group that set the tone for the entire season, it was a fitting honor. Soon after, three Hawkeye seniors received individual honors and were named All-Americans. Beau Stephens, Kaden Wetjen, and center Logan Jones led that trio, solidifying their positions as the best in the country.
In particular, Jones’ season was notable. In addition to being selected for the All-American team, he was given the 2025 Rimington Trophy, which is given to the top center in college football. It was unquestionable evidence of his supremacy and leadership in the middle of Iowa’s offensive line, and it served as yet another reminder of the school’s track record of producing trench-ready NFL players. The postseason all-star circuit is now receiving more attention. Linebacker Karson Sharar is the most recent addition to the list of Hawkeyes participating in senior showcases. Sharar became one of the nation’s top senior prospects when he formally accepted his invitation to the East-West Shrine Bowl, which will take place in Frisco, Texas, at the end of January.
Sharar’s breakout senior season, which raised his profile in college football circles, is capped off by the invitation. He recorded 78 total tackles in 12 games this season, equally divided between 39 solo stops and 39 assisted tackles. He demonstrated his ability to influence games in a variety of ways by adding two sacks and forcing a fumble. Although he had consistently contributed to Iowa in prior seasons, his output and level of responsibility clearly increased this year.
Sharar’s rise was a crucial component of a defense that subtly developed into one of the country’s most potent units. The fact that Iowa’s defense finished the season in the top 25 in three significant statistical categories demonstrated how challenging it was for opponents to move the ball. The Hawkeyes finished seventh in the country with just 158.2 passing yards per game. They finished sixth in both total defense and scoring defense, allowing just 270.6 yards per game and 14.7 points per game, respectively.
These figures depict a physically fit, disciplined team that flourished on planning and execution. Sharar was a perfect fit for that identity. He developed into a dependable presence in the middle of the field, the kind of player coaches rely on when games get close, whether he was dropping into coverage or filling gaps against the run. Sharar and a few of his teammates now have a last chance to demonstrate their abilities in front of NFL scouts and executives at the East-West Shrine Bowl. There will be plenty of Hawkeyes in Frisco, all hoping to turn years of consistent progress into the next big thing. The season may be coming to an end for Iowa’s seniors, but for many, the future is just getting started.
