The Iowa Hawkeyes continue their ways of delivering talent and have done so again in the 2022 NFL draft. Iowa has sent another first-round talent into the NFL this year with center [autotag]Tyler Linderbaum[/autotag] getting drafted by the Baltimore Ravens with the No. 25 overall pick.
Welcome to Baltimore, Tyler Linderbaum❗️ pic.twitter.com/le7hlkw7Vk
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 29, 2022
Many projected Linderbaum to go to the Ravens at some point in this draft and that has come true. The 6-foot-2, 296 pound center immediately plugs into a run-heavy offense and offers elusive quarterback Lamar Jackson an instant and dependable comrade at center.
As my colleague Jacob Keppen discussed, history repeats itself here. The Ravens found great success in former Iowa Hawkeye center [autotag]Marshal Yanda[/autotag] and look to capture that same long-term success once again with Linderbaum.
The former Hawkeye was destined for the first round after his final season in Iowa City where he was a team captain, a unanimous All-American and the recipient of the Rimington Trophy, which is given annually to the nation’s best center.
After making the move from defense to offense, Linderbaum started at center in each of Iowa’s 35 games over the past three seasons. Pro Football Focus graded Linderbaum as its top center each of the past two seasons and Linderbaum was the highest-graded college player by PFF this past season.
As the 2022 NFL draft moves into its second and third day, look for other Iowa players to get their name called and join Linderbaum as part of the next wave of Hawkeyes to make it to the NFL. There could still be a number of Hawkeyes set to get a chance via the draft or signing as an undrafted free agent this weekend.
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