No Draft? No Problem — Former Hawkeyes Find Their NFL Fit!

The 2025 NFL Draft is over, but that doesn't mean former college players can't still find their way onto an NFL roster. This is the season of the undrafted free agent!

Who Were the Iowa Hawkeyes That DID Get Drafted? 

Hawk Central reports that five former Iowa Hawkeye football players heard their names called during the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay. They include;

• Kaleb Johnson, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers - Johnson was selected in the 3rd round, 83rd overall.
• Yahya Black, DL, Pittsburgh Steelers - Black was selected in the 5th round, 164th overall.
• Mason Richman, OL, Seattle Seahawks - Richman went in the 7th round, 234th overall.
• Connor Colby, OL, San Francisco 49ers - Colby was selected in the 7th round, 249th overall.
• Luke Lachey, TE, Houston Texans - Lachey went in the 7th round, 255th overall.

Which Former Iowa Players Have Signed With NFL Teams?

There is another way to make an NFL roster, and that is to be selected as an undrafted free agent. Several former Iowa players have now signed with NFL teams and will show up at training camp this summer. Hawk Central reports that former Iowa players who signed after the draft include;

• Jay Higgins, LB, Baltimore Ravens
• Luke Elkin, long snapper, Chicago Bears
• Sebastian Castro, DB, Pittsburgh Steelers
• Jermari Harris, DB, Tennessee Titans

Castro singing with the Steelers makes three former Iowa players who could make the Pittsburgh roster. At least they won't have to get used to wearing a new team color!

While many football experts were shocked to see QB Shadeur Sanders fall to the fifth round, how about Iowa linebacker Jay Higgins? He was an All-American linebacker who led the Hawkeyes in tackles the past two seasons. Baltimore might have gotten the steal of the draft!

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