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Iowa Hawkeyes NFL Draft Projections 2025: Insider notes on Yahya Black, Luke Lachey, and more by Tony Pauline

The Hawkeyes had one of the best defenses in the Big Ten last season and an offense that was near-rotten. So it’s no surprise that three of their four draft picks in April’s event came from the defensive side of the ball, including the top punter in the event, while the only selection from the scoring side of the ball was someone who barely played half the season.

This year’s class of pro prospects is good on both sides of the ball and offers players with a lot of potential.

Iowa Hawkeyes' NFL Draft 2025 Preview

#1 Yahya Black

Last summer, I wrote the following during my Iowa preview:

“Yahya Black is a defender to keep an eye on. He has terrific size and athleticism and can be an overwhelming force. Black was used on a rotational basis last season, but he comes with incredible upside.”

I gave Black a fourth-round grade in the summer of 2023, and since then, he’s elevated his game. Last season, Black was an every-game starter and a force in the middle of the line.

Yahya Black - NCAA Football (Iowa at Nebraska)
Yahya Black - NCAA Football (Iowa at Nebraska)

He was constantly attracting double-team blocks, yet he still caused a commotion. He’s not all the way there and has a lot of room for improvement, which is why I gave him a third-round grade. If he really takes off and meets expectations, Black could end up a top-45 pick in 2025.

Offensive line, tight end, and safety are three positions where Iowa has made significant contributions to the NFL draft, and there is a lot of talent at those three spots on the roster.

Right tackle Gennings Dunker is someone who impresses me. He’s strong and fundamentally sound. He does a great job in pass protection or run blocking. I view him more as a power gap blocker.

Gennings Dunker - Iowa City Press (NCAA Football)
Gennings Dunker - Iowa City Press (NCAA Football)

#2 Luke Lachey

Were it not for a season-ending injury two games into last season, there’s a good chance tight end Luke Lachey would’ve been a middle-round pick in April.

He’s a tall, athletic pass catcher with outstanding size and solid speed. If we assume Lachey can get back to full health, he projects as a middle-round choice, possibly earlier.

Luke Lachey - NCAA Football (Western Michigan at Iowa)
Luke Lachey - NCAA Football (Western Michigan at Iowa)

#3 Addison Ostrenga

His backup, junior Addison Ostrenga, is also a legitimate middle-round prospect. Ostrenga is more of a traditional tight end than the downfield threat Lachey poses. Still, he’s the type of tight end you want on the field on third down and in the red zone.

#4 Sebastian Castro

There is a lot of love for safety Sebastian Castro in the scouting community. He’s an explosive downhill defensive back who dominates against the run and is solid in pass coverage between the numbers. Castro projects as zone safety rather than a traditional center fielder.

Iowa Hawkeyes 2025 NFL Draft Projections

Here is my early verdict for Kirk Ferentz's men:

Iowa Next-level Prospects

Grade

Rnd

Pos

Full Name

Yr

#

3.65

3rd

DT

Yahya Black

5Sr

94

3.55

4th

T

Gennings Dunker

4Jr

67

3.52M

4th

TE

Luke Lachey

6Sr

85

3.49

4-5

S

Sebastian Castro

5Sr

29

3.47

5th

TE

Addison Ostrenga

3Jr

87

3.37

6th

G

Connor Colby

4Sr

N

3.32

6th

ILB

Nick Jackson

6Sr

6

3.31

6th

ILB

Jay Higgins

5Sr

34

3.15

FA

CB

Deshaun Lee

3So

8

3.11

FA

S

Quinn Schulte

5Sr

30

3.02

FA

CB

Jermari Harris

5Sr

27

2.95

FA

RB

Leshon Williams

5Sr

4

2.93

FA

C

Logan Jones

5Sr

65

2.89

FA

T

Mason Richman

5Sr

78

2.86

FA

DE

Deontae Craig

5Sr

45

2.80

FA

QB

Cade McNamara

6Sr

12

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