Iowa City Today

Three University of Iowa football players have been named to preseason watch lists by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).

Senior Aaron Graves was included on the 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, which recognizes the national defensive player of the year. Graves had previously been selected as a 2025 preseason second team All-American by Phil Steele and is also a candidate for the 2025 Lott IMPACT Trophy.

Seniors Gennings Dunker and Logan Jones were listed on the 2025 Outland Trophy Watch List. This award is given annually to the nation’s most outstanding interior lineman, either on offense or defense.

Graves started all 13 games at defensive tackle last season, making 33 tackles with eight for loss, including six sacks. He forced three fumbles, broke up three passes, and recorded two quarterback pressures. His three forced fumbles led the Big Ten conference. Graves received honorable mention All-Big Ten honors and was recognized as a second-team Academic All-American.

Former Hawkeye players Cooper DeJean (2023), Josey Jewell (2017), and Pat Angerer (2009) have previously been finalists for the Nagurski award.

The FWAA All-America Committee selects a 26-man All-America Team after input from its full membership and later chooses five finalists for the Nagurski Trophy in November. The committee members then select the winner they consider to be college football’s top defensive player.

Dunker started 11 games last season as a junior and played an important role on Iowa’s offensive line, which was named a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award in 2024. He earned second-team all-conference honors and was chosen as an Academic All-District selection. Dunker contributed to Iowa’s offense surpassing 200 rushing yards in seven games during the previous season.

Jones was also recognized as a preseason Outland Trophy candidate last year. He started 12 games as a junior, earning first-team all-conference recognition and being named an honorable mention All-American by Phil Steele in 2024. Jones anchored an offensive line that allowed only 17 sacks while helping Iowa rush for over 2,500 yards—the program's highest total since 2002. He has received several preseason All-American selections this month from Walter Camp, Athlon, and Phil Steele.

The Outland Trophy was established in 1946 and is named after Dr. John H. Outland, who is among a small group of college football players honored as an All-American at two different positions. The recipient of this year’s trophy will be announced in December.

Four former Hawkeyes—Brandon Scherff (2014), Robert Gallery (2003), Alex Karras (1957), and Cal Jones (1955)—have won the Outland Trophy in past years. Only Nebraska, Alabama, and Oklahoma have more recipients than Iowa’s four winners.

Iowa will begin its season on August 30 against UAlbany at Kinnick Stadium with kickoff scheduled for 5 p.m. Central Time.