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Where did Iowa Hawkeyes sign with as undrafted free agents?

Josh Helmer
·4 min read
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A pair of Iowa Hawkeyes heard their names called in the 2022 NFL draft, center Tyler Linderbaum in the first round by the Baltimore Ravens and safety Dane Belton in the fourth round by the New York Giants.

While there were other Iowa players that felt they had a chance to be drafted, ultimately, it was just Linderbaum and Belton. Still, five more Hawkeyes are getting their chance at professional football after signing as undrafted free agents with NFL teams.

Let’s take a look at which teams running back Tyler Goodson, cornerback Matt Hankins, safety Jack Koerner, defensive end Zach VanValkenburg and kick Caleb Shudak signed with.

Running back, Tyler Goodson - Green Bay Packers

Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Running back Tyler Goodson finished the 2021 season as the Hawkeyes’ unquestioned leading rusher. Goodson was a workhorse for the Hawks last season, carrying 256 times for 1,151 rushing yards and six touchdowns. The Suwanee, Ga. native signed with the Green Bay Packers.

Cornerback, Matt Hankins - Atlanta Falcons

Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK

Matt Hankins made 37 consecutive starts in the Hawkeyes’ defensive backfield before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in Iowa’s 27-22 win over Minnesota. The Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist picked off three passes in 2021 and finished with 44 tackles last season and 212 in his career. The Lewisville, Texas, native was also credited with eight passes defensed last season and 27 over the course of his career. Hankins signed with the Atlanta Falcons.

Safety, Jack Koerner - New Orleans Saints

Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Safety Jack Koerner is off to the Big Easy after signing with the New Orleans Saints. The Des Moines native made 13 starts last season and 32 over the course of his Iowa career. He finished third on the team with 89 tackles last season and ended his Hawkeye career with 216 tackles. The 6-foot, 204 pound defensive back also had a pair of interceptions last season for Iowa and was credited with 16 passes defensed in his career.

Defensive end, Zach VanValkenburg - Las Vegas Raiders

Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen

Zach VanValkenburg is headed to Las Vegas, Nev., after signing with the Raiders. The 6-foot-4, 267 pound defensive end started all 14 games last season with the Hawkeyes and 35 over his career. The Zeeland, Mich., product finished with a team-high 15 tackles for loss last season. VanValkenburg also added 58 total tackles and 5.5 sacks in 2021.

Kicker, Caleb Shudak - Tennessee Titans

Bryon Houlgrave/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK

Caleb Shudak’s next stop is the Music City as one of the newest members of the Tennessee Titans. Shudak connected on 24 of his 28 field goal attempts last season and his 108 points in 2021 ranks as the fifth-best single season scoring total in program history. The Council Bluffs native holds the school record for career field goal percentage at 82.8%.

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