Rhett Smeins Assistant Director, Recruiting | University Of Iowa Athletics
Rhett Smeins Assistant Director, Recruiting | University Of Iowa Athletics
Three University of Iowa football players were chosen in the seventh round of the NFL Draft. Offensive linemen Mason Richman and Connor Colby were selected by Seattle and San Francisco, respectively, while tight end Luke Lachey was picked by Houston.
Richman and Colby became the 20th and 21st offensive linemen drafted under Kirk Ferentz, University of Iowa's Moon Family Head Football Coach. The last time two Hawkeye offensive linemen were selected in the same draft was in 2015.
Lachey is the 14th tight end drafted during Ferentz's tenure, marking three consecutive years a Hawkeye tight end has been selected.
Mason Richman started all games at left tackle in 2024. He hails from Leawood, Kansas, and has received several academic honors.
"Grey Zabel got to deliver the message to Mason Richman at pick 234," tweeted Seattle Seahawks on April 27, 2025.
Connor Colby earned recognition as a Phil Steele third-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten selection. He started all games at right guard in 2024.
"Connor Colby was drafted in round 7 pick 249 in the 2025 draft class," tweeted Kent Lee Platte on April 26, 2025.
Both Richman and Colby contributed significantly to Iowa’s rushing attack which averaged over 200 yards per game eight times during their season.
Luke Lachey recorded an honorable mention as an All-Big Ten selection with notable statistics including starting multiple games throughout his career with significant receptions and yardage.
"The call that brought Luke to Houston," tweeted Houston Texans on April 27, 2025.
These selections follow Kaleb Johnson (third round) and Yayha Black (fifth round) who were also drafted this year. This marks a consistent trend for Iowa with four or more players being picked seven times out of nine years recently.
Richman's selection makes him the first Hawkeye heading to Seattle since Tony Jackson in 2005. Colby's drafting continues a tradition since C.J. Beathard and George Kittle joined San Francisco in previous years. Lachey's pick makes him the first Hawkeye chosen by Houston since C.J. Fiedorowicz in 2014.
The University of Iowa has maintained a streak with at least one player drafted every year since 1978 under Coach Ferentz's guidance, bringing his total draftees to nearly one hundred players.
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