Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds addresses reporters’ questions during a news conference in the Governor’s Formal Office at the Iowa Capitol in Des Moines on Wednesday. (Erin Murphy/The Gazette)
DES MOINES — The free speech rights of protesters on college campuses will be honored in Iowa, but “hate speech” and “destruction” will not be allowed, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said Wednesday.
Reynolds said if protests in Iowa cross those lines, “We will be ready. We’re not going to let it go.”
During a news conference Wednesday at the Iowa Capitol, Reynolds addressed a question about protests that are taking place on college campuses across the nation and how she and state law enforcement officials might react to similar protests in Iowa.
Advertisement
As a war between Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas continues, U.S. college students have been protesting in support of Palestine and in opposition to Israel’s military strategy. In some cases, protesters have occupied buildings and spaces on campuses, and restricted students’ ability to move through those spaces.
Reynolds said Wednesday that protesters have First Amendment rights, but also indicated the state will be prepared to respond if protesters break laws — including one passed after some civil rights protests in 2020 in the wake of the George Floyd murder turned destructive. She decried the actions of protesters at other colleges, including Columbia University in New York.
“Of course we want to protect the First Amendment rights to protest. But they’re going to do it peacefully,” Reynolds said Wednesday. “We’re not going to allow hate speech. We’re not going to allow destruction. We’re not going to allow what we see happening in some of the universities across this country.
“So we’re going to just get in front of it. We’re going to be respectful, and as long as (protesters) abide by the laws and do it peacefully, then great,” Reynolds said. “But if it crosses that line, we will be ready. We’re not going to let it go.”
A few hundred pro-Palestine protesters demonstrated in University Heights this past weekend while U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson was in Iowa to fundraise for Iowa Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks. And a pro-Palestine protest is scheduled to take place at the Pentacrest on the University of Iowa campus from 12-7 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, according to a flyer for the event.
Hayley Bruce, the University of Iowa’s campus safety chief of staff, said in an emailed response to The Gazette that the university is aware of the protests taking place across the country and “has protocols in place.” Bruce said the primary goal of law enforcement during demonstrations is “to protect free speech while ensuring the safety of both demonstrators and the community.”
Bruce said campus safety personnel welcome an opportunity to work with protest organizers to “support a safe environment” and share information about campus demonstration guidelines.
“Community members are permitted to exercise their First Amendment rights in outdoor areas of campus if it complies with reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions, and as long as the conduct is lawful, and does not impede access to a facility or use of walkways, interfere with vehicle traffic, or disrupt the functioning of the institution,” Bruce wrote.
Advertisement
Bruce said encampments — which have cropped up as part of protests on some campuses — are not permitted under University of Iowa policies.
The flyer for the protest, distributed by Iowa City Students for Justice in Palestine, reads, “Stand in solidarity with student encampments and show the University of Iowa we won’t back down!”
A social media post promoting the protest notes that it is not an encampment. “Our intended goal is to reiterate our demands for divestment to the University,” the post reads.
More Iowa Republicans weigh in
Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley said pro-Palestine protesters who have set up encampments and occupied buildings on college and university campuses around the country “are acting like children.”
Grassley, speaking to Iowa reporters Wednesday, also criticized university presidents for being “too slow” to enforce deadlines they set for demonstrators to leave their encampments or face consequences.
Advertisement
“Now, we all know that under our Constitution free speech is encouraged. And hateful speech, even though it may be constitutional, should be discouraged,” Grassley said. “But, you shouldn’t be able to attack people, threaten people, things of that nature.”
Asked how University of Iowa officials should respond to protests this weekend, Grassley said “any students that want to demonstrate peacefully ought to be allowed to, but it seems to me they shouldn’t be allowed to encamp.”
He also took issue with students demanding schools divest from investments that support weapons manufacturing and Israel amid the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war, in which more than 34,000 people have been killed in Gaza.
“And can you imagine that these students that are there, they think they’re in a position to tell a university how they can invest their funds?” Grassley told reporters. “After all, those funds are helping provide their education. … What right being a student do you have to tell the university how to invest? If you want to do that, you ought to be on the board of trustees.”
State Rep. Carter Nordman, a Republican from Panora, posted on social media that University of Iowa officials have assured him university policies and the law “will be fully enforced and done so without hesitation.”
Advertisement
“I am confident this will be the case,” Nordman posted on X, formerly called Twitter. “In Iowa, if you break the law or violate university policy, you should be expelled, banned, and/or prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. These unlawful pro-Hamas acts occurring around the country are unacceptable and should be met with immediate consequences.”
Today, I spoke with @uiowa officials regarding a potential “encampment” planned for this weekend. They have assured me that their policies and the law will be fully enforced and done so without hesitation. I am confident this will be the case.
Iowa wrestler Jacob Warner took 5th at 197lbs at NCAA Championships
Iowa wrestler Jacob Warner finished 5th at 197lbs at the NCAA Wrestling Championships. He finished his career as a 4-time NCAA All-American.
Cody Goodwin, Hawk Central
Iowa wrestling will bring in a familiar face to fill out its coaching staff, tapping five-time NCAA All-American Jacob Warner to join as an assistant coach.
Advertisement
The Hawkeye wrestling program announced the decision on April 10. He replaces Bobby Telford, who took a position outside of wrestling after the 2025-26 season ended.
With Warner’s hire, all four official coaching positions at Iowa are held by former Hawkeye wrestlers — head coach Tom Brands, associate head coach Terry Brands, assistant coach Ryan Morningstar and Warner. (Telford also wrestled for the Hawkeyes.)
While Warner does not have official coaching experience, being in the Hawkeye Wrestling Club allowed him to help sharpen athletes still competing in the college ranks. Warner has been credited by several wrestlers in the program for helping their development, none bigger than national champion Stephen Buchanan.
“Jacob knows what it takes to compete at the highest level, both on and off the mat,” Tom Brands said in a release. “He represents everything Iowa wrestling stands for. His toughness, discipline and relentless work ethic will be a tremendous asset to our staff and our student-athletes.”
Advertisement
As a wrestler, Warner had a career record of 97-28 in a Hawkeye singlet. He took seventh at the NCAA Championships in 2019 as a redshirt freshman, earned All-American honors for the canceled 2020 NCAA Championships, then was fourth in 2021, an NCAA runner-up in 2022 and finished his career in fifth place in 2023. Warner also has experience on the major World stages. He won a bronze medal at the 2016 Cadet World Championships and was on the 2018 Junior World team for the United States.
The Hawkeyes have a pivotal 2026-27 season ahead, following a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Championships and a regular season to forget. Time will tell whether Warner’s official addition to the staff can help spark better results as the Hawkeyes look to return to their championship ways.
“Our fans, I see them on the street, I see them here, I see them there, I say, ‘We got to do better for you,’” Tom Brands said after the NCAA Championships. “We know that.”
Eli McKown covers high school sports and wrestling for the Des Moines Register. Contact him at Emckown@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @EMcKown23.
Iowa State women’s basketball team adds transfer guard from Kent State
Advertisement
ROUND PICK. WE’LL BE PULLING FOR HIM. THE DRAFT STARTS THURSDAY, APRIL 23RD. CYCLE IN. WOMEN LOST NEARLY THEIR ENTIRE ROSTER THURSDAY. THEY GOT ONE BACK. MAYA BABBITT IS COMING OVER FROM KENT STATE. SHE LED THAT TEAM AT 16 POINTS PE
Advertisement
Iowa State women’s basketball team adds transfer guard from Kent State
Updated: 10:40 PM CDT Apr 9, 2026
Editorial Standards ⓘ
Advertisement
Iowa State got a strong start on its 2026 transfer class Thursday.Kent State guard Mya Babbitt announced her commitment to Iowa State.Babbitt, a 5’8″ guard from Papillion, Nebraska, has been a two-year starter for the Golden Flashes and earned second-team All-MAC honors in 2025-26 after averaging 16.1 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. She also set the Kent State record for 3-pointers in a season as a sophomore, making 83 3-pointers at a 41.5% clip.Babbitt is the first incoming transfer to announce her commitment to Iowa State this offseason. She will have one year of eligibility remaining.The Cyclones are tasked with replacing nearly the entire roster from 2025-26 after nine players entered the transfer portal.Senior-to-be Arianna Jackson has announced her return, as has reserve guard Freya Jensen. Iowa State also brings in highly touted recruit Macy Comito. Comito led Carlisle High School to its first state title this winter.» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
AMES, Iowa —
Iowa State got a strong start on its 2026 transfer class Thursday.
Advertisement
Kent State guard Mya Babbitt announced her commitment to Iowa State.
Babbitt, a 5’8″ guard from Papillion, Nebraska, has been a two-year starter for the Golden Flashes and earned second-team All-MAC honors in 2025-26 after averaging 16.1 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. She also set the Kent State record for 3-pointers in a season as a sophomore, making 83 3-pointers at a 41.5% clip.
This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Advertisement
Babbitt is the first incoming transfer to announce her commitment to Iowa State this offseason. She will have one year of eligibility remaining.
The Cyclones are tasked with replacing nearly the entire roster from 2025-26 after nine players entered the transfer portal.
Senior-to-be Arianna Jackson has announced her return, as has reserve guard Freya Jensen. Iowa State also brings in highly touted recruit Macy Comito. Comito led Carlisle High School to its first state title this winter.
» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page
» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
Advertisement
Advertisement
`;
}
function refreshWeatherIframe(containerId) {
var iframeId = ‘weather-iframe-‘ + containerId;
var iframe = document.getElementById(iframeId);
if (iframe && iframe.src) {
var originalSrc = iframe.src;
iframe.src = originalSrc + (originalSrc.indexOf(‘?’) > -1 ? ‘&’ : ‘?’) + ‘t=” + Date.now();
}
}
function initializeWeatherBox(container) {
var containerId = container.getAttribute(“data-container-id’);
var isWeatherBoxV2 = containerId === ‘home-weather-v2’;
function switchWeatherTab(tabName, clickedElement) {
container.querySelectorAll(‘[data-tab-id]’).forEach(function(tab) {
tab.classList.remove(‘open’);
tab.setAttribute(‘aria-selected’, ‘false’);
});
var targetContent = container.querySelector(‘[data-content-id=”‘ + tabName + ‘”]’);
if (targetContent) {
targetContent.style.display = ‘block’;
targetContent.removeAttribute(‘hidden’);
}
}
function loadWeatherData() {
// If weather data is already being loaded, wait for it
if (window.weatherDataPromise) {
window.weatherDataPromise.then(function(data) {
if (data && data.data) {
var weatherContainer = container.closest(‘.weather-box-container’);
if (weatherContainer) {
weatherContainer.style.display = ‘flex’;
updateCurrentWeather(data.data);
updateForecastTabs(data.data);
updateWeatherAlertsBar(data.data);
}
}
});
return;
}
var location = { zip: window.DEFAULT_ZIPCODE };
try {
var storedLocations = localStorage.getItem(‘hrst.zip.history’);
if (storedLocations) {
var locations = JSON.parse(storedLocations);
if (locations && locations.length > 0) {
location = locations[0];
}
}
} catch (e) {}
Advertisement
var apiUrl = (window.DEWY_HOSTNAME || ”) + ‘/api/v1/weather/full/’ + location.zip;
if (window.fetch) {
window.weatherDataPromise = fetch(apiUrl)
.then(function(response) { return response.json(); })
.then(function(data) {
if (data && data.data) {
var article = container.closest(‘.article–wrapper’);
var weatherContainer = container.closest(‘.weather-box-container’);
if (weatherContainer) {
weatherContainer.style.display = ‘flex’;
updateCurrentWeather(data.data);
updateForecastTabs(data.data);
updateWeatherAlertsBar(data.data);
}
return data;
}
})
.catch(function(error) {
console.error(‘Error loading weather:’, error);
// Reset to unknown background on error
updateWeatherBackground(‘unknown’);
});
}
}
function updateWeatherAlertsBar(weatherData) {
var weatherWatchHeader = container.querySelector(‘.weather-watch-header’);
if (!weatherWatchHeader) return;
var weatherWatchText = weatherWatchHeader.querySelector(‘.weather-watch-text’);
var weatherWatchLink = weatherWatchHeader.querySelector(‘.weather-watch-link’);
if (weatherData.alerts_count > 0) {
weatherWatchHeader.className=”weather-watch-header has-alerts”;
if (weatherWatchText) {
weatherWatchText.textContent = `Weather Alerts (${weatherData.alerts_count})`;
}
if (weatherWatchLink) {
if (!weatherWatchLink.getAttribute(‘data-initial-href’)) {
weatherWatchLink.setAttribute(‘data-initial-href’, weatherWatchLink.getAttribute(‘href’));
weatherWatchLink.setAttribute(‘data-initial-onclick’, weatherWatchLink.getAttribute(‘onclick’) || ”);
}
weatherWatchLink.setAttribute(‘href’, “https://www.kcci.com/alerts”);
weatherWatchLink.setAttribute(‘onclick’, “return handleWeatherLinkClick(event, ‘click_alerts’, ‘click’, ‘mobile-weather’, “https://www.kcci.com/alerts”);”);
}
} else {
weatherWatchHeader.className=”weather-watch-header”;
if (weatherWatchText) {
weatherWatchText.textContent = containerId === ‘home-weather-v2’ ? ‘Watch Latest Forecast’ : ‘Latest Forecast’;
}
if (weatherWatchLink) {
var initialHref = weatherWatchLink.getAttribute(‘data-initial-href’);
var initialOnclick = weatherWatchLink.getAttribute(‘data-initial-onclick’);
if (initialHref) {
weatherWatchLink.setAttribute(‘href’, initialHref);
}
if (initialOnclick) {
weatherWatchLink.setAttribute(‘onclick’, initialOnclick);
}
}
}
}
Advertisement
function updateCurrentWeather(weatherData) {
if (weatherData.current) {
var tempValue = weatherData.current.temp_f || ”;
var skyValue = weatherData.current.sky || ”;
var feelsLikeValue = weatherData.current.feels_like_f || weatherData.current.temp_f || ”;
var tempEl = container.querySelector(‘.weather-grid–current-temp-value’);
if (tempEl) {
tempEl.textContent = tempValue;
tempEl.setAttribute(‘aria-label’, tempValue + ‘ degrees Fahrenheit’);
}
var iconEl = container.querySelector(‘.weather-grid–current-icon’);
if (iconEl && weatherData.current.icon_name) {
iconEl.className=”weather-grid–current-icon weather-current-icon icon icon-weather-” + weatherData.current.icon_name;
}
var skyEl = container.querySelector(‘.weather-grid–sky’);
if (skyEl) {
skyEl.textContent = skyValue;
skyEl.setAttribute(‘aria-label’, ‘Current condition: ‘ + skyValue);
}
var feelsEl = container.querySelector(‘.weather-grid–feels’);
if (feelsEl) {
feelsEl.textContent = feelsLikeValue + ‘°F’;
feelsEl.setAttribute(‘aria-label’, feelsLikeValue + ‘ degrees Fahrenheit’);
}
Advertisement
var weatherContainer = container.querySelector(‘.weather-temp-container’);
if (weatherContainer) {
var summary = ‘Current temperature ‘ + tempValue + ‘ degrees Fahrenheit, ‘ +
skyValue + ‘, feels like ‘ + feelsLikeValue + ‘ degrees’;
weatherContainer.setAttribute(‘aria-label’, summary);
}
function updateForecastTabs(weatherData) {
var visibleItems = isWeatherBoxV2 ? 6 : 5;
if (weatherData.hourly) {
var hourlyContainer = container.querySelector(‘.weather-hourly-forecast’);
if (hourlyContainer) {
var html=””;
var maxHours = Math.min(visibleItems, weatherData.hourly.length);
Advertisement
for (var i = 0; i 0 ? currentIndex – 1 : tabs.length – 1;
tabs[prevIndex].focus();
break;
case ‘ArrowRight’:
e.preventDefault();
var nextIndex = currentIndex
`;
}
function refreshWeatherIframe(containerId) {
var iframeId = ‘weather-iframe-‘ + containerId;
var iframe = document.getElementById(iframeId);
if (iframe && iframe.src) {
var originalSrc = iframe.src;
iframe.src = originalSrc + (originalSrc.indexOf(‘?’) > -1 ? ‘&’ : ‘?’) + ‘t=” + Date.now();
}
}
function initializeWeatherBox(container) {
var containerId = container.getAttribute(“data-container-id’);
var isWeatherBoxV2 = containerId === ‘home-weather-v2’;
function switchWeatherTab(tabName, clickedElement) {
container.querySelectorAll(‘[data-tab-id]’).forEach(function(tab) {
tab.classList.remove(‘open’);
tab.setAttribute(‘aria-selected’, ‘false’);
});
var targetContent = container.querySelector(‘[data-content-id=”‘ + tabName + ‘”]’);
if (targetContent) {
targetContent.style.display = ‘block’;
targetContent.removeAttribute(‘hidden’);
}
}
function loadWeatherData() {
// If weather data is already being loaded, wait for it
if (window.weatherDataPromise) {
window.weatherDataPromise.then(function(data) {
if (data && data.data) {
var weatherContainer = container.closest(‘.weather-box-container’);
if (weatherContainer) {
weatherContainer.style.display = ‘flex’;
updateCurrentWeather(data.data);
updateForecastTabs(data.data);
updateWeatherAlertsBar(data.data);
}
}
});
return;
}
var location = { zip: window.DEFAULT_ZIPCODE };
Advertisement
try {
var storedLocations = localStorage.getItem(‘hrst.zip.history’);
if (storedLocations) {
var locations = JSON.parse(storedLocations);
if (locations && locations.length > 0) {
location = locations[0];
}
}
} catch (e) {}
var apiUrl = (window.DEWY_HOSTNAME || ”) + ‘/api/v1/weather/full/’ + location.zip;
if (window.fetch) {
window.weatherDataPromise = fetch(apiUrl)
.then(function(response) { return response.json(); })
.then(function(data) {
if (data && data.data) {
var article = container.closest(‘.article–wrapper’);
var weatherContainer = container.closest(‘.weather-box-container’);
if (weatherContainer) {
weatherContainer.style.display = ‘flex’;
updateCurrentWeather(data.data);
updateForecastTabs(data.data);
updateWeatherAlertsBar(data.data);
}
return data;
}
})
.catch(function(error) {
console.error(‘Error loading weather:’, error);
// Reset to unknown background on error
updateWeatherBackground(‘unknown’);
});
}
}
function updateWeatherAlertsBar(weatherData) {
var weatherWatchHeader = container.querySelector(‘.weather-watch-header’);
if (!weatherWatchHeader) return;
var weatherWatchText = weatherWatchHeader.querySelector(‘.weather-watch-text’);
var weatherWatchLink = weatherWatchHeader.querySelector(‘.weather-watch-link’);
Advertisement
if (weatherData.alerts_count > 0) {
weatherWatchHeader.className=”weather-watch-header has-alerts”;
if (weatherWatchText) {
weatherWatchText.textContent = `Weather Alerts (${weatherData.alerts_count})`;
}
if (weatherWatchLink) {
if (!weatherWatchLink.getAttribute(‘data-initial-href’)) {
weatherWatchLink.setAttribute(‘data-initial-href’, weatherWatchLink.getAttribute(‘href’));
weatherWatchLink.setAttribute(‘data-initial-onclick’, weatherWatchLink.getAttribute(‘onclick’) || ”);
}
weatherWatchLink.setAttribute(‘href’, “https://www.kcci.com/alerts”);
weatherWatchLink.setAttribute(‘onclick’, “return handleWeatherLinkClick(event, ‘click_alerts’, ‘click’, ‘sidelist-weather’, “https://www.kcci.com/alerts”);”);
}
} else {
weatherWatchHeader.className=”weather-watch-header”;
if (weatherWatchText) {
weatherWatchText.textContent = containerId === ‘home-weather-v2’ ? ‘Watch Latest Forecast’ : ‘Latest Forecast’;
}
if (weatherWatchLink) {
var initialHref = weatherWatchLink.getAttribute(‘data-initial-href’);
var initialOnclick = weatherWatchLink.getAttribute(‘data-initial-onclick’);
if (initialHref) {
weatherWatchLink.setAttribute(‘href’, initialHref);
}
if (initialOnclick) {
weatherWatchLink.setAttribute(‘onclick’, initialOnclick);
}
}
}
}
function updateCurrentWeather(weatherData) {
if (weatherData.current) {
var tempValue = weatherData.current.temp_f || ”;
var skyValue = weatherData.current.sky || ”;
var feelsLikeValue = weatherData.current.feels_like_f || weatherData.current.temp_f || ”;
var tempEl = container.querySelector(‘.weather-grid–current-temp-value’);
if (tempEl) {
tempEl.textContent = tempValue;
tempEl.setAttribute(‘aria-label’, tempValue + ‘ degrees Fahrenheit’);
}
var iconEl = container.querySelector(‘.weather-grid–current-icon’);
if (iconEl && weatherData.current.icon_name) {
iconEl.className=”weather-grid–current-icon weather-current-icon icon icon-weather-” + weatherData.current.icon_name;
}
var skyEl = container.querySelector(‘.weather-grid–sky’);
if (skyEl) {
skyEl.textContent = skyValue;
skyEl.setAttribute(‘aria-label’, ‘Current condition: ‘ + skyValue);
}
Advertisement
var feelsEl = container.querySelector(‘.weather-grid–feels’);
if (feelsEl) {
feelsEl.textContent = feelsLikeValue + ‘°F’;
feelsEl.setAttribute(‘aria-label’, feelsLikeValue + ‘ degrees Fahrenheit’);
}
var weatherContainer = container.querySelector(‘.weather-temp-container’);
if (weatherContainer) {
var summary = ‘Current temperature ‘ + tempValue + ‘ degrees Fahrenheit, ‘ +
skyValue + ‘, feels like ‘ + feelsLikeValue + ‘ degrees’;
weatherContainer.setAttribute(‘aria-label’, summary);
}
function updateForecastTabs(weatherData) {
var visibleItems = isWeatherBoxV2 ? 6 : 5;
Advertisement
if (weatherData.hourly) {
var hourlyContainer = container.querySelector(‘.weather-hourly-forecast’);
if (hourlyContainer) {
var html=””;
var maxHours = Math.min(visibleItems, weatherData.hourly.length);
for (var i = 0; i 0 ? currentIndex – 1 : tabs.length – 1;
tabs[prevIndex].focus();
break;
case ‘ArrowRight’:
e.preventDefault();
var nextIndex = currentIndex
NFL Draft prospect, Fernando Mendoza, watches these quarterbacks
2025 Heisman winner, Fernando Mendoza, shares which NFL quarterbacks he loves to study and why they’ve made an impact on him.
The NFL Draft is two weeks away, and new prospect grades for more than 50 Iowa college and high school football players have been released.
Here is what to know about the 2026 NFL Draft and a breakdown of the draft projections for Iowa players, according to The Athletic’s “The Beast,” its annual comprehensive NFL Draft scouting guide.
Advertisement
When is the 2026 NFL draft?
The 2026 NFL draft will begin with the first round on Thursday, April 23. Rounds 2 and 3 occur the following day, and the draft will conclude on its third day with Rounds 4-7 on Saturday, April 25.
Pittsburgh — home of the Steelers — will host the 2026 NFL draft.
How did The Athletic grade Iowa college football players ahead of the 2026 NFL draft?
The Athletic’s “The Beast” report included rankings of players from Iowa, Iowa State, Northern Iowa, Drake, Grand View and Upper Iowa.
Gennings Dunker, guard: No. 5 out of 159 players at his position
Grade: 3rd round projection
Logan Jones, center: No. 3 out of 78 players at his position
Grade: 3rd-4th round projection
Max Llewellyn, defensive end: No. 18 out of 270 players at his position
Grade: 4th round projection
Beau Stephens, guard: No. 11 out of 159 players at his position
Grade: 4th-5th round projection
TJ Hall, cornerback: No. 24 out of 318 players at his position
Grade: 6th round projection
Kaden Wetjen, wide receiver: No. 30 out of 380 players at his position
Grade: 6th round projection
More: An ode to Kaden Wetjen and Drew Stevens, two Iowa football all-timers
Karson Sharar, linebacker: No. 24 out of 243 players at his position
Grade: 7th round projection
Drew Stevens, kicker: No. 3 out of 40 players at his position
Grade: 7th round-free agent projection
Mark Gronowski, quarterback: No.17 out of 99 players at his position
Grade: 7th round-free agent projection
Xavier Nwankpa, safety: No. 23 out of 271 players at his position
Grade: 7th round-free agent projection
Bryant Worrell, long snapper: No. 20 out of 48 players at his position
Hayden Large, tight end: No. 33 out of 156 players at his position
Aaron Graves, defensive tackle: No. 67 out of 249 players at his position
Ethan Hurkett, defensive end: No. 84 out of 270 players at his position
Jonah Pace, defensive tackle: No. 84 out of 249 players at his position
Seth Anderson, wide receiver: No. 87 out of 380 players at his position,
Jacob Gill, wide receiver: No. 106 out of 380 players at his position
Bryce George, guard: No. 107 out of 159 players at his position
Sam Phillips, wide receiver: No. 118 out of 380 players at his position,
Shahid Barros, cornerback: No. 195 out of 318 players at his position
Derek Anderson, tight end: No. 104 out of 156 players at his position
Blake Anderson, offensive tackle: No. 109 out of 146 players at his position
Bill Jackson, running back: No. 111 out of 213 players at his position
Mo Olowo, safety: No. 122 out of 271 players at his position
Caleb Frazer, linebacker: No. 177 out of 243 players at his position
Tucker Langenberg, linebacker: No. 193 out of 243 players at his position
Jonathan Cabral-Martin, cornerback: No. 198 out of 318 players at his position
Domonique Orange, defensive tackle: No. 6 out of 249 players at his position
Grade: 2nd-3rd round projection
Tyler Perkins, punter: No. 13 out of 40 players at his position
James Neal III, offensive tackle: No. 27 out of 146 players at his position
Jim Bonifas, center: No. 27 out of 78 players at his position
Tyler Miller, offensive tackle: No. 53 out of 146 players at his position
Tamatoa McDonough, defensive end: No. 56 out of 270 players at his position
Dylan Barrett, guard: No. 65 out of 159 players at his position
More: Iowa State football roster growing together from past experiences
Tyler Moore, tight end: No. 76 out of 156 players at his position
Cannon Butler, defensive end: No. 101 out of 270 players at his position
Tyler Maro, offensive tackle: No. 128 out of 146 players at his position
Eli Green, wide receiver: No. 185 out of 380 players at his position
Myles Mendesoon, defensive end: No. 205 out of 270 players at his position
Drake Bulldogs
Advertisement
Brett Welsing, long snapper: No. 17 out of 48 players at his position
Grand View Vikings
Jackson Waring, quarterback: No. 53 out of 99 players at his position
John Argo, linebacker: No. 56 out of 243 players at his position
Upper Iowa Peacocks
Mante Morrow, wide receiver: No. 142 out of 380 players at his position
Iowa natives playing elsewhere
These Iowa high school players finished playing college football outside the state but still earned spots in The Athletic’s “The Beast” draft guide.
KadynProctor (Alabama, Southeast Polk), offensive tackle: No. 4 out of 146 players at his position
Grade: 1st-2nd round projection
Eli Raridon (Notre Dame, Valley), tight end: No. 9 out of 156 players at his position
Grade: 4th round projection
Mosai Newsom (South Dakota, Waverly-Shell Rock), defensive tackle: No. 93 out of 249 players at his position
Nate Ewell (South Dakota, Waterloo West), linebacker: No. 88 out of 243 players at his position,
HenryLutovsky (Nebraska, Mount Pleasant), guard: No. 29 out of 159 players at his position
Jase Bauer (UT Martin, Ankeny), quarterback: No. 51 out of 99 players at his position
Harrison Waylee (Virginia, Urbandale), running back: No. 80 out of 213 players at his position
Noah Fenske (Southern Illinois, New Hampton), center: No. 26 out of 78 players at his position
TJ Bollers (California, Clear Creek Amana), defensive tackle: No. 60 out of 249 players at his position
Carter Hewitt (Illinois, South Hamilton), defensive tackle: No. 156 out of 249 players at his position
How to watch the 2026 NFL draft
Live coverage of the NFL draft can be found on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and the NFL Network. Coverage is also available on NFL+, ESPN Select, ESPN Unlimited and Fubo TV.
Thursday, April 23: Round 1 starts at 7 p.m. CT
Friday, April 24: Round 2 and Round 3 start at 6 p.m. CT
Saturday, April 25: Rounds 4-7 start at 11 a.m. CT
Watch the NFL Draft on ESPN+
Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.