Four Hawkeyes Hear Their Names Called at NFL Draft

It always seems to surprise people that the Iowa Hawkeye football program is one of the most successful in the nation at getting players drafted into the NFL. Hawkeye Central reports that over the past five seasons, Iowa has had 20 players drafted by the NFL, including 17 in the first five rounds. Iowa was right on average this year with four players hearing their name called over the weekend. That brings the number up to 79 Iowa players drafted in 23 years with Kirk Ferentz as head coach. Here is who heard their names called and where they're headed!

Defensive End Chauncey Golston - Round 3 Dallas Cowboys, 84th overall - As a third round choice, Golston will arrive in Dallas as a backup. He'll most likely play behind established stars like DeMacrus Lawrence and Randy Gregory. Hawkeye Central points out that Golston has the ability to play inside or outside along the Dallas defensive line.

Wide Receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette - Round 5 Minnesota Vikings, 157th overall -  Smith-Marsette becomes the first Iowa wide receiver drafted since Marvin McNutt back in 2012, and only the second since 2002. Hawkeye Central reports that Minnesota was looking for help at kick returning, something Smith-Marsette could help with on day one.

Defensive Tackle Daviyon Nixon - 5th Round Caroline Panthers, 158th overall -  Just weeks ago, Nixon was touted as a possible late first round draft choice. So what happened? It's hard to say. But Hawkeye Central says he should take some relief in two other Iowa draft slips who went on to become NFL All-Pro players. George Kittle and Desmond King. Both slipped to the 5th round in 2017. Something tells me the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year will add his name to that list!

Linebacker Nick Niemann - 6th Round L.A. Chargers, 185th overall - How cool is this. With Nick going to the Chargers in the AFC West, he'll play his brother, Ben, a linebacker for Kansas City, twice a year! He'll also see former Iowa LB Josey Jewell in Denver twice too. Even though Niemann was the only linebacker drafted by the Chargers, Hawkeye Central reports his best shot at playing time is on special teams in 2021.