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USA Today
8 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
PFF tabs trio of Iowa football NFL stars that need to perform in 2025
PFF tabs trio of Iowa football NFL stars that need to perform in 2025 Since Kirk Ferentz took over as the Iowa head football coach in 1999, 94 Hawkeyes have been drafted into the NFL. Many more have signed to NFL rosters following the draft. Former Hawkeyes have had major success in the NFL like Marshal Yanda, Brandon Scherff and George Kittle to name a few. However, according to Pro Football Focus, some former Hawks are facing make-or-break 2025 NFL seasons. On Tuesday, PFF released its list of one player on each NFL team facing a make-or-break 2025 season. These are players at crossroads in their careers, whose team is relying on them to bounce back or step up this season. The list includes former No. 1 overall picks, Pro Bowlers and three Hawkeyes who need to perform in 2025. Geno Stone, S, Cincinnati Bengals The first former Hawkeye on the list is Bengals safety Geno Stone. Stone signed with the Bengals during the 2024 offseason after a breakout campaign with the Baltimore Ravens. Stone had seven interceptions and nine passes defensed in 2023 with the Ravens before signing a two-year, $14 million deal with the Bengals. He posted a career-worst PFF coverage grade last season and needs to bounce back in the final year of his contract. If anyone on the Bengals' defense can benefit from Al Golden's arrival in Cincinnati, it's Geno Stone. Stone has always been more comfortable as a single-high free safety, owning an 83.3 PFF coverage grade in his career when deployed in a single-high defense. Meanwhile, no FBS team ran more single-high defenses last season than national runner-up Notre Dame with Golden as its defensive coordinator. Stone's career is at a crossroads after he earned a career-low 53.7 PFF coverage grade last season, but Golden's presence could present a bounce-back opportunity. - Dalton Wasserman Stone was a three-year starter at Iowa from 2017-2019. He played in 38 total games, amassing 127 tackles, six interceptions, four tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and a touchdown. He was named to the honorable mention All-Big Ten team in 2018 and was named second-team All-Big Ten in 2019. Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Green Bay Packers Van Ness is entering just his third year in Green Bay, but is already facing huge pressure to perform. Taken 13th overall by the Packers in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft, Van Ness has struggled to find consistency in Green Bay. Van Ness has played in every game of his NFL career so far, but has amassed just seven sacks, 14 tackles for loss and one forced fumble across 34 regular season games. The Packers expected more from their recent first-round pick and need Van Ness to perform this season or they could look in another direction along the defensive line. Former 13th-overall pick Lukas Van Ness has yet to prove he is a capable NFL starter. Through his first two seasons, he has posted a 58.4 PFF overall grade and compiled just 42 total pressures. Green Bay ranked just 28th in the NFL in PFF pass-rush grade without blitzing last season. If Van Ness and the rest of the defensive line can't win their matchups up front, then the Packers could be looking for new options for that unit next offseason.- Dalton Wasserman Van Ness had a stellar career in Iowa City, despite only playing at Iowa for two seasons. He appeared in 27 total games from 2021-2022 and racked up 13.5 total sacks and 20 tackles for loss. Van Ness was named a freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America in 2021 and was named a second-team All-Big Ten player in 2022. Alaric Jackson, T, Los Angeles Rams The third and final Hawkeye on PFF's list is Alaric Jackson, an offensive tackle with the Rams. Jackson is entering his fifth season with the Rams and his appearance on this list is less about his play and more about his health. Jackson is dealing with blood clot issues, which could threaten his ability to play in 2025. And with an older and less mobile Matthew Stafford at quarterback, the Rams need all the protection they can get along the offensive line. No current starting quarterback needs proficient pass protection as much as Matthew Stafford. That's a huge reason why the Rams re-signed left tackle Alaric Jackson to a three-year contract worth roughly $19 million per year. Unfortunately, Jackson is now dealing with a blood clot issue that puts his status in doubt, at least for the beginning of the 2025 season. The Rams ranked 30th in the NFL in PFF pass-blocking grade last season, and Jackson is arguably the most important part of a turnaround in the department.- Dalton Wasserman Jackson spent five seasons at Iowa. He redshirted his freshman year in 2016 before exploding onto the scene in 2017. He was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team in 2017 after starting all 12 games. Jackson was named second-team All-Big Ten in 2018, third-team All-Big Ten in 2019 and first-team All-Big Ten in the shortened 2020 season. After going undrafted in the 2021 NFL draft, Jackson was signed by the Rams as a UDFA, where's he been ever since. Jackson signed a three-year, $56.3 million extension with the Rams in February. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Zach on X: @zach_hiney
USA Today
9 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Alabama lands top softball transfer from Big Ten program
Alabama lands top softball transfer from Big Ten program According to an announcement earlier this past week on social media, the Alabama Crimson Tide have landed a commitment from Iowa Hawkeyes softball transfer Jena Young. Young is the first transfer portal addition for the Crimson Tide so far this offseason. A rising junior infielder, Young appeared in 59 games for the Hawkeyes this past season in which she was one of Iowa's top hitters, slashing .359/.477/.545 with three home runs, 27 RBI, and seven stolen bases. This was only a year after Young appeared in 46 games for the Hawkeyes as a freshman where he owned a .373 AVG with four home runs, 18 RBI, and six stolen bases. Owning a career .366 AVG, Young was also a First Team All-Big Ten selection in both seasons, and is likely to make a significant impact for the Crimson Tide in 2026. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Caitlin Clark's Former Teammate Gets Good News on Thursday
Caitlin Clark's Former Teammate Gets Good News on Thursday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Hannah Stuelke is preparing for her senior season at the University of Iowa and will be traveling later this month. The 21-year-old from Cedar Rapids is often referred to as a former teammate of Caitlin Clark, but she's also built a strong basketball career of her own. Advertisement The former Iowa Miss Basketball averaged 29.1 points per game in high school. She's played three seasons with the Hawkeyes, reaching the NCAA Tournament title game twice. Her sophomore year was her best yet, averaging 14.0 points per game while shooting an impressive 62.7% from the field. Now, Stuelke has another accolade to add to her resume. Iowa women's basketball recently shared the good news: "Spot secured — @StuelkeHannah will compete for Team USA in the 2025 FIBA Women's AmeriCup!" The tournament begins later this month in Santiago, Chile, with the final scheduled for July 6. Team USA has participated in the AmeriCup eight times, winning the tournament four times, second only to Brazil, which leads with six titles. Advertisement Stuelke is one of 12 players selected for the team. According to USA Basketball, the roster includes six athletes who have previously won gold medals with various national squads, including: Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts as forward Hannah Stuelke (45).Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images 2024 USA U18 Women's National Team: Joyce Edwards, Kennedy Smith 2023 USA U19 Women's National Team: Madison Booker, Edwards, Hannah Hidalgo, Grace VanSlooten 2022 USA U18 Women's National Team: VanSlooten 2022 USA U17 Women's National Team: Booker, Hidalgo 2021 USA U16 Women's National Team: Booker 2019 USA U16 Women's National Team: Olivia Miles Duke head coach Kara Lawson will lead Team USA, with DeLisha Milton-Jones (Old Dominion) and Jennie Baranczyk (Oklahoma) serving as assistants. The U.S. is in Group B alongside Chile, Colombia, Puerto Rico and Mexico. Related: Caitlin Clark's Former Teammate Lands New Team After 0 Minutes with Indiana Fever Related: Caitlin Clark Sends Clear Message to Lexie Hull in New Post on Wednesday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cooper DeJean Shares 3-Word Impression of New Iowa Hoops Coach Ben McCollum
Cooper DeJean Shares 3-Word Impression of New Iowa Hoops Coach Ben McCollum originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Philadelphia Eagles won Super Bowl LIX on the strength of an all-around team effort, led by the potent rushing attack of Saquon Barkley, timely passes from Jalen Hurts and a much improved defense. Advertisement Rookie defensive back Cooper DeJean proved be one of the smartest picks in the 2024 NFL draft as the Iowa Hawkeyes rookie became a sure tackler and strong cover man for coach Nick Sirianni's team. On Wednesday, highlights of DeJean's return to Iowa City turned heads on social media as the Eagles defensive back showed off dunk contest worthy jams on the court in a battle against new Hawkeyes coach Ben McCollum. He also shared a three-world impression of McCollum after the session was finished. Cooper DeJean on the practice field with the Eagles. © Kyle Ross-Imagn Images "The crossover you didn't know you needed," the Iowa men's basketball account wrote on X Thursday. DeJean is seen throwing down windmill dunks during warm-ups and a hammer dunk during a game in the highlight video, which reached nearly 300,000 views on X. Advertisement McCollum also showed off his athleticism and skills as he battled with DeJean and others. "BMC a dude," one fan said about McCollum. "Literally ever clip of coach BM makes me like him more and more," another fan added on McCollum. "Once a Hawkeye, always a Hawkeye," another said about DeJean. "Our coach can ball!" a Hawkeyes fan said. "So competitive...I love it," another fan added. "This might be the greatest video that has ever been recorded in world history," another fan added while others continued to praise DeJean and McCollum for their athleticism and hoops skills. Related: Iowa Hawkeyes New QB Drawing Massive Attention Before 2025 Season This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Iowa football adds legacy WR to 2026 recruiting class
Iowa football adds legacy WR to 2026 recruiting class In the heat of the sunny June weather, the Hawkeyes have made another splash on the recruiting trail by obtaining the commitment of Iowa legacy wide receiver Isaiah Oliver, who announced his decision Wednesday morning. Oliver caught 36 passes for 430 yards and six touchdowns as a junior in 2024 for Waukee Northwest High School, and averaged 30.9 yards on seven kick returns. During his recruitment, the 6-foot, 195-pound native of Waukee, Iowa, also received offers from Army, North Dakota, North Dakota State, and Northern Iowa. In his commitment to the Hawkeyes, Oliver elected to join the program as a preferred walk-on. Oliver is the son of former NBA and All-Big Ten Hawkeye point guard, Dean Oliver, who played at Iowa from 1997-2001. Oliver would have a 10-year NBA playing career, including two seasons with the Golden State Warriors from 2001-02. As for the wide receiver room at Iowa, Oliver's addition will only add to the already talent-rich group entering the 2025 season for offensive coordinator Tim Lester. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
