The Iowa Hawkeye football program knows how to produce players that get drafted by the NFL. As we get closer to this Spring's NFL Draft, there are several Iowa players whose names are quickly rising up draft boards of NFL teams. Don't be surprised to hear these Hawkeyes have their names called early!

Hawkeyes Wire reports that The Athletic released their Top 100 Prospects for the 2023 NFL Draft. Three Iowa players find their names among the best college football players in the nation. Two come from Iowa's vaunted defense, and the other was Iowa's only real offensive weapon this past season.

Colorado State v Iowa
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Iowa defensive end Lukas Van Ness comes in ranked at #18. He is one of the biggest risers in NFL circles this off-season. The defensive end features the size and speed that NFL teams are looking for at the position. And yes, even though he didn't start for Iowa, Hawkeyes Wire points out that he did play starter-level snaps and led the team in tackles for loss. Van Ness will hear his name in the first round.

Iowa v Minnesota
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Iowa tight end Sam La Porta is listed at #61. He was Iowa's lone offensive weapon this past season, and even though he faced constant double teams, La Porta still produced. He is Iowa's all-time leader in receptions by a tight end, and that is saying something when you go to school at Tight End U! La Porta will join other Hawkeye tight ends like Kittle, Fant, and Hockenson in the NFL. Hawkeyes Wire lists him as a 2nd or 3rd round pick.

Iowa v Iowa State
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Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell comes in ranked at #73. Can you say underrated? The 2022 consensus All-American led Iowa in tackles and won the Butkus Award for the nation's best interior linebacker. Some NFL team is going to make the steal of the draft when they land Campbell in the 2nd or 3rd round.

Hawkeyes Wire reports that two other members of Iowa's elite defense will also wait to hear their names called during the NFL Draft. Corner Riley Moss and safety Kaevon Merriweather should both go in the later rounds.

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