Top 12 Best Iowa Football Players Of All-Time 2023
Hawkeye State has a long and proud tradition of producing some of the most talented college football players in the nation. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the Best Iowa Football Players of all time.
Among them is Brad Banks one of the most decorated players in Iowa’s history. He was a two-time All-Big Ten selection and the 2002 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year. He led the Hawkeyes to their first Big Ten championship in over 30 years and was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy in 2002. Banks was inducted into the Iowa Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
And another one of them is Hall Nile Kinnick an Iowa legend and one of the most iconic players in college football history. He was the 1939 Heisman Trophy winner and a two-time All-American. He led the Hawkeyes to their only Rose Bowl victory in 1956 and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951. And there are many more of them in this list, as stated below
Top 10 best Iowa football players of all-time
The Hawkeye state of Iowa is home to some of the most iconic football players in the history of the sport. From Heisman Trophy winners to NFL Hall of Famers, Iowa has produced an impressive list of great players over the years. Here are the top 10 best Iowa football players of all time.
1. Nile Kinnick:
Nile Kinnick is widely regarded as one of the best Iowa football players of all time. Despite playing for the Hawkeyes for only three seasons, the native of Adel, Iowa, established himself as one of the greatest-ever college football players.
Kinnick made his mark in 1936 when he led Iowa to its first-ever Big Ten title. He had an impressive season, setting numerous school records, including the most rushing yards in a game (172) and the most touchdown passes in a season (13). He was also part of a defense that allowed only 28 points during the season – the lowest total in school history.
2. Alex Karras:
Alex Karras is one of the best Iowa football players of all time. He was a two-time All-American and a four-time All-Big Ten selection at the University of Iowa. He was a dominant defensive tackle from 1958 to 1961, and his career was capped off with a unanimous All-American selection in 1961.
Karras was a powerful and athletic player who used his strength and intelligence to make an impact on the field. He was a great run-stopper who also had a knack for getting to the quarterback with his quickness and agility. He was a leader on the defensive line and was known for his toughness and tenacity.
3. Chuck Long:
Chuck Long is widely considered to be one of the best Iowa football players of all time. He was a standout quarterback at the University of Iowa from 1982-1985, setting numerous school and Big Ten Conference records in the process. Long was the first Big Ten player to ever throw for more than 10,000 yards in a career and was a two-time Big Ten Player of the Year.
Long was a four-year starter for the Hawkeyes and led them to three bowl games. He was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 1985 and finished as the runner-up to Bo Jackson. Long was also a first-round draft pick of the Detroit Lions in 1986 and went on to have a successful NFL career.
4. Randy Duncan:
Randy Duncan is one of the best Iowa football players of all time. He had a stellar career as a Hawkeye and earned national recognition for his athletic prowess.
Randy Duncan was born in 1934 in Des Moines, Iowa. He was a star athlete at Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, playing both football and basketball. He was named All-State in both sports. He chose to attend the University of Iowa where he would become one of the most decorated football players in the history of the school.
5. Tim Dwight:
Tim Dwight, the former Iowa Hawkeye football star and NFL veteran, is widely considered to be one of the best football players to ever come out of the state of Iowa. As an electrifying kick returner and wide receiver for the Iowa Hawkeyes, Dwight set numerous school records and became a household name in college football.
Dwight was born in Des Moines, Iowa and attended Valley High School, where he was a standout in both football and track and field. He was a two-time All-State selection in football and was also a two-time state champion in the 100-meter dash. After high school, Dwight accepted a football scholarship to the University of Iowa.
6. Bob Jeter:
Bob Jeter is widely considered one of the best Iowa football players of all time. He was a two-time All-American and led the Hawkeyes to the Rose Bowl in 1959. Jeter was an incredibly versatile athlete, excelling in several positions on the field. He was a standout defensive back, a dangerous kick returner, and a reliable receiver.
Jeter was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi in 1936. He attended Iowa State University and was named a first-team All-American in 1956. After college, Jeter was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round of the 1957 NFL Draft. He played for the Bears for three seasons before moving to the Green Bay Packers in 1960.
7. Cal Jones:
Cal Jones is one of the most iconic Iowa football players of all time. He was an All-American running back and one of the most prolific running backs in Hawkeye history. Jones was a four-year starter at Iowa and set the school record for rushing yards in a single season with 1,485 in 1971. He finished his career with 3,193 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns, both of which still stand as Iowa records.
Jones’ most memorable performance came in the 1971 season finale against rival Iowa State. He ran for a school-record 250 yards, including a dramatic 73-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter that sealed the win for Iowa. Jones was named an All-American for his performance that season and was also a two-time Big Ten champion.
8. Brad Banks:
Brad Banks is widely considered to be one of the greatest Iowa football players of all time. The former Hawkeye quarterback was a dynamic playmaker who led Iowa to the 2002 Big Ten Championship and earned a Heisman Trophy finalist. Banks was a dual-threat quarterback who had a knack for making big plays when his team needed them most.
Banks began his college career at Iowa in 2001 and quickly established himself as a leader on the team. He was a two-time Big Ten Conference Offensive Player of the Year and was named the Big Ten MVP in 2002. That same year, Banks led Iowa to the Big Ten Championship and was a Heisman Trophy finalist.
9. Fred Russell:
Fred Russell is widely recognized as one of the all-time greats of Iowa Football. He was an All-American running back at the University of Iowa, leading the team to three Big Ten titles and a Rose Bowl victory in 2002. He was also a two-time Big Ten MVP and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006.
Russell was a powerful and explosive runner who could run for long gains on any given play. He was also a great receiver out of the backfield, making him a dangerous dual-threat weapon. He was one of the best blocking backs in college football, providing great protection for Iowa quarterbacks.
10. Bob Sanders:
Bob Sanders is widely considered to be one of the best Iowa football players of all time. He was a standout safety and linebacker for the Hawkeyes from 2000-2003, and in that time, he established himself as one of the best defensive players in school history.
Sanders was a two-time All-Big Ten selection, a First-Team All-American, and the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2003. He was also a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, which is given to the country’s best defensive back.
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Has Iowa ever had a Heisman winner?
The Heisman Trophy is one of the most prestigious awards in college football, given to the most outstanding player of the year. It’s no surprise then, that many players have dreamed of winning it, and many schools have boasted of having Heisman winners. So, has Iowa ever had a Heisman winner?
unfortunately, no. Despite having a long and storied college football history, no Iowa player has ever won the Heisman Trophy. In fact, the closest an Iowa player ever came to winning the award was in 2008, when Shonn Greene finished third in the voting.
Since Greene’s near-miss, no other Iowa player has come close to winning the Heisman. The Hawkeyes have had plenty of excellent players, such as Nate Stanley, AJ Epenesa, and Mekhi Sargent, but none have been able to make it to the Heisman ceremony.
How many Heisman Trophy winners does Iowa have?
The Heisman Trophy is a prestigious award given to the best college football player in the United States each year. then The Heisman Trophy is the most prestigious individual award in college football, and winning it is a great honor.
The Iowa Hawkeyes have had a number of great players that have gone on to win the Heisman Trophy over the years. The first Heisman Trophy winner from Iowa was Nile Kinnick in 1939. Kinnick was a standout player for the Hawkeyes and is one of the most beloved figures in Iowa football history.
Since Nile Kinnick, the Hawkeyes have had two other players win the Heisman Trophy. In 1985, Chuck Long won the award after an incredibly successful collegiate career. Long was a two-time All-American and a three-time Big Ten Player of the Year. Banks was a dual-threat quarterback who set numerous school records during his time at Iowa.
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How many NFL players came from Iowa?
Iowa has a long and proud history of producing some of the best NFL players in the league. From the days of Kurt Warner and Tim Dwight to modern-day stars like Dallas Clark and Mike Daniels, Iowa has consistently produced talented athletes who have gone on to have successful professional football careers.
At the start of the 2020 NFL season, there are a total of 18 players from Iowa currently on active rosters. The most notable of these players is Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Mike Daniels, who was a fourth-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Daniels is a two-time Pro Bowler and has been a mainstay on the Eagle’s defensive line since he joined the team.
Who is the Iowa Hawkeye Elvis?
The Iowa Hawkeye Elvis is a popular figure in the state of Iowa. He is the face of the University of Iowa’s iconic mascot, the Hawkeye. Every year, a different student is chosen to don the Elvis costume and represent the school at various events and functions.
The Iowa Hawkeye Elvis is known for his signature to look a white jumpsuit with the university’s logo and a black cape. He also wears a gold belt, sunglasses and a black wig. The look is completed with a pair of white shoes and a black guitar.
FAQ
What is Iowa’s favorite NFL team?
Iowa’s favorite NFL team is the Chicago Bears. The Bears have been a favorite for Iowans since the 1920s, and the popularity of the team has only grown since then. As a result, the Bears have a large fan base in the state and have been a part of many Iowans’ lives for generations. The Bears have had several great players come through the organization over the years, including Walter Payton, Mike Ditka, and Brian Urlacher, all of whom are beloved in the state.
What year was Iowa undefeated?
The Iowa Hawkeyes football team was undefeated in 1922. The Hawkeyes posted a perfect 7-0 record under head coach Howard Jones, outscoring opponents by a combined score of 141-17. Iowa’s 1922 season was part of a larger run of success for the team, as Iowa went on to post a combined record of 21-2-3 from 1922-1924.
Who is Iowa’s biggest rival?
Iowa’s biggest rival is the University of Nebraska. This rivalry has been going on for decades, and it’s one of the most intense in college sports. The two teams have been competing in the Big Ten Conference since 2011, and their rivalry has only grown since then. Every year, both sides put on a great show in their annual matchup, and it’s one of the most anticipated games of the season.
