Iowa
After flipping commitment to Iowa, safety Ethan Headings will head to UND after all
GRAND FORKS — The latest recruiting movement of safety Ethan Headings is icing on the cake for UND’s 2026 recruiting class.
Headings, a first team all-state wide receiver, was committed to UND in April before switching his commitment near signing day to the in-state Iowa Hawkeyes. Iowa announced his addition as a preferred walk-on in early December.
On Sunday, Headings announced he’s coming to Grand Forks after all. As a preferred walk-on at Iowa, Headings was able to change course without penalty.
“I really missed all the coaches at UND and all the love I got from them,” Headings said of his decision. “It’s just a real great place, and it felt like I was leaving behind a great opportunity they gave me.”
Headings, who’ll arrive in Grand Forks in June, chose UND originally over offers from Northern Iowa, Army, Western Illinois and Air Force.
“I knew (committing back to UND) is what I wanted, so I was just like really hoping they’d give me a second chance,” Headings said. “It took a week … I was waiting to see if I could get a spot on the team. They eventually got back to me, and it was amazing, and I’m so happy I’m accepted at North Dakota.”
Headings, 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, had a breakout senior season for Iowa City West in 2025. He caught 56 passes for 1,202 yards (No. 1 in Iowa 5A) and 13 touchdowns (No. 1 in Iowa 5A). Defensively, he had 46.5 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss. He also had two interceptions and a kickoff returned for a touchdown.
Headings hasn’t played much safety before. He played linebacker at Iowa City West during his senior year and played safety some of his junior year.
“I’m just an all-around athlete that’ll perform at any position I’m put at,” Headings said of his strengths. “I feel like I can make an impact on the game wherever I’m at. The coaches see me best at safety, so I’m going to work at safety and see what happens.
“It’s definitely kind of nerve-wracking. I’m going to be trying a whole new position. I trust (UND safeties coach Keaton Wilkerson) to pour into me and teach me everything I need to learn to get me to the point I’m performing well. I’ve been over this with coach Wilkerson. He’s fine with me playing linebacker (in high school). He just wants me to play what helps us win. He said he’ll teach me everything I need to know about safety.”
The 2026 NFL Draft has come and gone, but not without the Iowa Hawkeyes once again sending a healthy group to the next level. Iowa saw another class of NFL prospects hear their names called and find out where their new homes will be.
As is the norm for Iowa, this draft class was headlined by offensive linemen, linebackers, and defensive line talent, which is fitting. This is how Iowa wins so many games under Kirk Ferentz, and it is a direct correlation to this program’s ability to mold and develop talent into NFL stars.
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While this class of draft prospects gets set to make their way to their new NFL homes, check out the recap of where each player is headed, along with where they were taken in this year’s draft.
Logan Jones
Oct 11, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Logan Jones (65) celebrates a touchdown in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ross Harried-Imagn Images
Team: Chicago Bears
Round: 2
Pick: 57
Gennings Dunker
Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Gennings Dunker (67), center, stands with teammates for the national anthem Nov. 8, 2025 before a Big Ten Football game against the Oregon Ducks at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Round: 3
Pick: 96
Kaden Wetjen
Sep 19, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Kaden Wetjen (21) celebrates with teammates after returning the opening kick off for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Round: 4
Pick: 121
Beau Stephens
Iowa offensive lineman Beau Stephens (70) celebrates with running back Kaleb Johnson in the second quarter against Nebraska during a NCAA football game on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. Iowavsneb 20221125 Bh
Team: 4
Round: 148
Pick: Seattle Seahawks
Karson Sharar
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA – NOVEMBER 28: Karson Sharar #43 of the Iowa Hawkeyes forces a fumble from Jacory Barney Jr. #2 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers on a punt return during the second half at Memorial Stadium on November 28, 2025 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
Team: Arizona Cardinals
Round: 6
Pick: 183
T.J. Hall
Oct 11, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back TJ Hall (2) celebrates after an incomplete pass against the Wisconsin Badgers in the first half at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ross Harried-Imagn Images
Team: New Orleans Saints
Round: 7
Pick: 219
Max Llewellyn
Sep 14, 2024; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive lineman Max Llewellyn (48) reacts after a sack during the third quarter against the Troy Trojans at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Team: Miami Dolphins
Round: 7
Pick: 238
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire : Iowa football 2026 NFL Draft recap, player’s picks, selections, teams
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald and president of football operations John Schneider met with media following day one of the NFL draft and discuss the decision to stay and pick at 32, what makes running back Jadarian Price special, how Price will fit into the offense and more at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Pittsburgh Steelers continue beefing up their offensive line in the 2026 NFL Draft after previously taking Arizona State tackle Max Iheanachor in the first round.
After trading picks No. 99 and 216 to the Seattle Seahawks for No. 96, the Steelers selected Iowa’s Gennings Dunker.
Dunker was a right tackle for the Hawkeyes, where he was a huge part of helping the team win the Joe Moore Award in 2025 as the nation’s top offensive line.
As for how he projects to the next level, however, Dunker is likely to move inside for the Steelers at 6-foot-5 and 319 pounds and could compete with Spencer Anderson and Brock Hoffman for the starting job at left guard.
Dunker is a better run blocker than pass protector, but he is feisty in all facets of the game and possesses a ton of strength while also being rather technically sound.
A fan-favorite with his mullet and contagious personality, Dunker should fit right in with Pittsburgh.
James Campen Offers Thoughts on Dunker
Speaking with reporters after the pick was made, Steelers offensive line coach James Campen listed some of the traits that drew him to Dunker.
“He is an aggressive kid,” Campen said. “Good football player. They’re so well-coached at Iowa. They come out and have established pad level and footwork. I’ve got a lot of respect for that football program, and the people who run it, but to be able to get a guy like him, a big, powerful kid that has position flexibility and has shown leadership in his play, his play style is really unique.”
While confirming that he is slated to primarily line up at guard, Campen also shared that Dunker’s Senior Bowl participation allowed his leadership to shine through.
“You always look for guys that are first in line doing things that are challenging or different like he did at the Senior Bowl. He was first in line to go and do new drills and things like that. So I’m sure there’s some leadership qualities there too.
“But we’re very excited to have him and to add to the O-line room. We’ll get him in here and take a look at him. I think at this point he’ll be at the guard position, and tackle will be his second position. But again, when you get players like this, you can always try to figure out which way he’s going to go. So, competition is good in those areas. So, he’ll probably end up playing a little bit of both, but primarily guard.”
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