The NFL’s annual Top 100 Players list is always one of the league’s most anticipated offseason events, but this year’s rankings have already delivered a major boost for Iowa football. As the player-voted countdown continues, former Hawkeyes linebacker Jack Campbell has officially earned his first appearance on the prestigious list, a milestone that reflects just how much respect he has earned across the league.
Campbell checked in at No. 88 on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2026, becoming the first former Iowa Hawkeye announced in this year’s rankings. The list, voted on exclusively by current NFL players, offers a unique glimpse into how the league’s biggest stars view one another. Unlike media rankings, these votes come directly from the athletes who battle each other every Sunday, making Campbell’s inclusion even more meaningful.
His rise comes after a spectacular 2025 campaign with the Detroit Lions that firmly established him among the NFL’s elite linebackers. Campbell led Detroit with 176 total tackles, the second-highest total in the entire league. He also produced career-best numbers with five sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries while appearing in all but eight of the Lions’ 1,105 defensive snaps.
Those numbers didn’t just earn him league-wide recognition—they helped make history. Campbell became the first Detroit linebacker since Chris Spielman in 1991 to receive First-Team All-Pro honors, cementing himself as one of the NFL’s premier defensive playmakers.
His dominance also earned him a massive financial reward. In May, the Lions signed Campbell to a four-year, $81 million contract that includes $51.5 million guaranteed. At an average annual salary of $20.25 million, he now ranks as the second-highest-paid linebacker in football, trailing only San Francisco 49ers superstar Fred Warner.
Praise for Campbell has poured in from players who know him best.
Former Iowa teammate and current Tampa Bay Buccaneers left tackle Tristan Wirfs didn’t hold back when describing the linebacker.
“Jack’s a freak,” Wirfs said. “He’s 6-foot-5, runs like a deer and hits like a train.”
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Nakobe Dean echoed that admiration, pointing to Campbell’s rare physical tools.
“He’s a big, big guy,” Dean said. “You can see it on the film. He uses his length and everything to his advantage.”
Another former Hawkeye, Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean, said Campbell’s preparation separates him from many players around the league.
“He understands offenses really well,” DeJean said. “That’s something I try to take from him his film study and what he puts into the game. I knew he’d be a great player, and he’ll be a great player for a long time.”
Campbell’s consistency has been remarkable since entering the NFL. Still only 25 years old and set to turn 26 in August, he has already accumulated more than 400 career tackles without missing a single game during his first three professional seasons.
While Campbell headlines Iowa’s early success on the list, another former college football star from the state also made his return.
Former Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy landed at No. 85 after missing last year’s rankings because of an injury-plagued season. Purdy previously climbed as high as No. 28 in the 2024 edition after throwing for 4,280 yards and 31 touchdowns while leading the San Francisco 49ers to Super Bowl LVIII.
Although injuries limited him to just nine starts during the 2025 season, Purdy remained highly effective whenever he was on the field. He guided San Francisco to a 7-2 record as a starter, completing 69.4 percent of his passes for 2,167 yards, 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also contributed with his legs, rushing for 147 yards and three additional scores on 33 carries.
The NFL’s feature video celebrating Purdy highlighted more than statistics. Teammates George Kittle and Kyle Juszczyk praised the confidence and energy he brings to the 49ers’ locker room, particularly his now-famous touchdown celebration known as “The Dougie.”
“Just having Brock’s swagger that’s a small example of the type of energy he brings to our team,” Juszczyk said. “He has such a quiet confidence about him.”
Even opposing defenders recognize Purdy’s growth.
Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby dismissed the long-standing narrative that Purdy succeeds only because of head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offensive system.
“He’s one of the better young quarterbacks in the league,” Crosby said. “He’s talented. You see that with how great that offense is able to operate.”
The NFL Top 100 countdown is far from over. The league began unveiling this year’s rankings on June 22 and will continue releasing players in short episodes through Sept. 4. The rankings are determined entirely by votes from current NFL players, making every selection a direct sign of respect from fellow professionals.
Last year, four former Iowa Hawkeyes earned spots in the NFL Top 100. With much of this year’s rankings still unrevealed, Iowa fans will be watching closely to see whether additional former Hawkeyes join Campbell before the countdown reaches its conclusion.
For now, though, Campbell’s breakthrough serves as another reminder of Iowa’s reputation for producing NFL-ready defensive talent. From starring in Iowa City to becoming one of the league’s highest-paid linebackers and now earning recognition from his peers as one of football’s top 100 players, his rise has been nothing short of remarkable.
The Lions will begin their 2026 regular season on Sept. 13 against the New Orleans Saints, while Purdy and the 49ers open two days earlier in Melbourne, Australia, against the Los Angeles Rams. Both former college stars now enter the new season carrying something even more valuable than impressive statistics the respect of the players they compete against every week.
