1 hr. ago
The Big Ten Conference is home to some of the best players in all of college football.
The conference has won each of the last three national championships and has seen hundreds of players drafted into the NFL in recent years. Entering the 2026 season, the Big Ten is as loaded as ever. There are star players and great teams across the board, which should create a competitive slate of games every week. Being named one of the best players in the conference is an honor reserved for very few.
Iowa offensive lineman Kade Pieper is one of those few. The fourth-year Hawkeye from Norfolk, Neb., has received a ton of preseason recognition. Pieper has been named to almost every All-American team out there and is widely regarded as one of the best offensive linemen in the 2027 NFL Draft class.
Last week, he got even more love from a Big Ten Network ******* yst.
Jake ******* is a former Michigan tight end and currently works for the Big Ten Network. He recently named his top 10 players in the Big Ten entering the 2026 season. He ranked Pieper as the sixth-best overall player in the conference. Here's what he had to say about the Hawkeyes' star lineman:
#pieper #named #network #entering
The conference has won each of the last three national championships and has seen hundreds of players drafted into the NFL in recent years. Entering the 2026 season, the Big Ten is as loaded as ever. There are star players and great teams across the board, which should create a competitive slate of games every week. Being named one of the best players in the conference is an honor reserved for very few.
Iowa offensive lineman Kade Pieper is one of those few. The fourth-year Hawkeye from Norfolk, Neb., has received a ton of preseason recognition. Pieper has been named to almost every All-American team out there and is widely regarded as one of the best offensive linemen in the 2027 NFL Draft class.
Last week, he got even more love from a Big Ten Network ******* yst.
Jake ******* is a former Michigan tight end and currently works for the Big Ten Network. He recently named his top 10 players in the Big Ten entering the 2026 season. He ranked Pieper as the sixth-best overall player in the conference. Here's what he had to say about the Hawkeyes' star lineman:
#pieper #named #network #entering
2 days ago
The Bundesliga is back! On Matchday 1, Freiburg host Werder Bremen in an exciting opening fixture for both sides. Goalkeeper Mio Backhaus (and potentially Eren **** çi as well) will face his former club, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the matchup.
Julian Schuster's side will be looking to improve on last season and push for a return to the European places, with a Europa League spot potentially within reach. Bremen, meanwhile, have one primary objective: survival. After a shaky 2025/26 campaign that saw them finish 15th, Werder will be hoping to take a step forward this season - with Niclas Füllkrug expected to play a key role in their ambitions.
Who will come out on top in this match? With just about an hour to go until kickoff, here are the confirmed lineups for both sides:
SC Freiburg (4-2-3-1): Backhaus - Kübler, Ginter, Lienhart, Makengo - Eggestein, Engelhardt - Beste, Suzuki, Scherhant - Matanović
Werder Bremen (4-3-3): Hein - Schmetgens, Pieper, Friedl, Deman - Chuky, Reis, Lynen - Njinmah, Füllkrug, Grüll
#werder #freiburg #sides
Julian Schuster's side will be looking to improve on last season and push for a return to the European places, with a Europa League spot potentially within reach. Bremen, meanwhile, have one primary objective: survival. After a shaky 2025/26 campaign that saw them finish 15th, Werder will be hoping to take a step forward this season - with Niclas Füllkrug expected to play a key role in their ambitions.
Who will come out on top in this match? With just about an hour to go until kickoff, here are the confirmed lineups for both sides:
SC Freiburg (4-2-3-1): Backhaus - Kübler, Ginter, Lienhart, Makengo - Eggestein, Engelhardt - Beste, Suzuki, Scherhant - Matanović
Werder Bremen (4-3-3): Hein - Schmetgens, Pieper, Friedl, Deman - Chuky, Reis, Lynen - Njinmah, Füllkrug, Grüll
#werder #freiburg #sides
7 days ago
The Iowa football program has always prided itself on developing stellar offensive linemen. Every team in the Kirk Ferentz era seems to have at least one or two linemen who end up playing at the next level. The 2026 Hawkeyes look primed to continue that trend.
Kade Pieper and Trevor Lauck are the superstars of this year's offensive line. Pieper has been named to virtually every single preseason All-American team out there, and Lauck has received his fair share of accolades as well. The duo is among the best players in all of college football.
That was more than evident in USA TODAY Sports' preseason top 100 college football players. The list, put together by writer Austin Curtright, featured a pair of Iowa stars.
Lauck came in at No. 66 on the list, while Pieper ranked No. 26.
Curtwright didn't have anything specific to say about either Hawkeye, but his placement of them on the list speaks volumes. Iowa has two of the best offensive linemen in the country to work with. That's huge considering the question mark at the quarterback position and the fact that Iowa has to replace three NFL linemen from last year's Joe Moore Award unit.
#linemen #lauck #list #team
Kade Pieper and Trevor Lauck are the superstars of this year's offensive line. Pieper has been named to virtually every single preseason All-American team out there, and Lauck has received his fair share of accolades as well. The duo is among the best players in all of college football.
That was more than evident in USA TODAY Sports' preseason top 100 college football players. The list, put together by writer Austin Curtright, featured a pair of Iowa stars.
Lauck came in at No. 66 on the list, while Pieper ranked No. 26.
Curtwright didn't have anything specific to say about either Hawkeye, but his placement of them on the list speaks volumes. Iowa has two of the best offensive linemen in the country to work with. That's huge considering the question mark at the quarterback position and the fact that Iowa has to replace three NFL linemen from last year's Joe Moore Award unit.
#linemen #lauck #list #team
13 days ago
.The Kentucky football team continues to plant its flag in Texas, and the program's newest offer went out to one of the more explosive route-runners in the state. The Wildcats have extended a scholarship offer to Carson LaCombe, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound wide receiver out of Pieper High School in San Antonio, who ranks as the No. 30 wide receiver nationally in his class per 247Sports.
What makes this offer notable isn't just the size and the ranking — it's the timeline. Kentucky didn't just discover LaCombe. The staff has been building this relationship for months, even after a planned camp visit fell through. That patience is exactly why the Wildcats are now squarely in the mix for a receiver who's drawing attention from across the Power Four.
LaCombe took time to break down the offer, what's standing out in his recruitment, and how he's spent his offseason getting ready for the season ahead.
On finally landing the Kentucky offer after months of staying in touch:
"I'm excited for the offer. I was scheduled to attend a camp at UK in the summer, and that camp ended up getting canceled, but I've stayed in contact with Coach Price," LaCombe said.
#lacombe #kentucky #receiver
What makes this offer notable isn't just the size and the ranking — it's the timeline. Kentucky didn't just discover LaCombe. The staff has been building this relationship for months, even after a planned camp visit fell through. That patience is exactly why the Wildcats are now squarely in the mix for a receiver who's drawing attention from across the Power Four.
LaCombe took time to break down the offer, what's standing out in his recruitment, and how he's spent his offseason getting ready for the season ahead.
On finally landing the Kentucky offer after months of staying in touch:
"I'm excited for the offer. I was scheduled to attend a camp at UK in the summer, and that camp ended up getting canceled, but I've stayed in contact with Coach Price," LaCombe said.
#lacombe #kentucky #receiver
21 days ago
College football is full of athletic marvels, especially in this day and age. The modern era of training and recovery has given way to athletic freaks of nature.
While most of those guys end up being four- and five-star talents out of high school, some trickle through the cracks. Iowa has been the beneficiary of that over the years, with players like Tristan Wirfs and Cooper DeJean ending up in Iowa City.
The Hawkeyes have their fair share of athletic freaks on this year's roster as well.
The Athletic's Bruce Feldman released his annual college football Freaks List. These are players that can naturally do things that most other guys can't. Iowa had three players on the list, beginning with offensive lineman Kade Pieper at No. 8:
"It's almost a given that we're going to have a Hawkeye O-lineman on here. The 6-3, 298-pound former Nebraska state champion shot putter was named a first-team All-American last year by PFF after starting 13 games at right guard in 2025. Last year, Pieper came in at No. 22 on the Freaks List after setting an Iowa record (4.13) for fastest short shuttle among offensive guards. Among guards, he also posted the vertical jump record at 37.4 and the best 10-yard dash at 1.52. This offseason, he set the program record for heaviest squat by a guard, doing 680 pounds."
#record #college
While most of those guys end up being four- and five-star talents out of high school, some trickle through the cracks. Iowa has been the beneficiary of that over the years, with players like Tristan Wirfs and Cooper DeJean ending up in Iowa City.
The Hawkeyes have their fair share of athletic freaks on this year's roster as well.
The Athletic's Bruce Feldman released his annual college football Freaks List. These are players that can naturally do things that most other guys can't. Iowa had three players on the list, beginning with offensive lineman Kade Pieper at No. 8:
"It's almost a given that we're going to have a Hawkeye O-lineman on here. The 6-3, 298-pound former Nebraska state champion shot putter was named a first-team All-American last year by PFF after starting 13 games at right guard in 2025. Last year, Pieper came in at No. 22 on the Freaks List after setting an Iowa record (4.13) for fastest short shuttle among offensive guards. Among guards, he also posted the vertical jump record at 37.4 and the best 10-yard dash at 1.52. This offseason, he set the program record for heaviest squat by a guard, doing 680 pounds."
#record #college
27 days ago
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NCAA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Iowa fans and fans across the country.
Big Ten Media Days wrapped up last week and with the annual trek to Chicago came the media projections for each and every team in the conference.
We noted in our rundown last week that Iowa had three pre-season All-Big Ten nominees in offensive linemen Kade Pieper and Trevor Lauck, as well as defensive back Zach Lutmer, who also garnered votes for defensive player of the year in the conference. They were joined by TE DJ Vonnahme, who earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten.
As for the team overall, they were picked to finish 8th in the conference according to the media.
But the media doesn't always know what they're talking about (unless, of course, they're fan media on ablog, then they are always right about everything) and when it comes to perception of the Iowa Hawkeyes, that can be especially true. So last week we asked the fanbase where they expect to see the Hawkeyes finish in the conference standings in 2026.
#conference #last #hawkeyes #team
Big Ten Media Days wrapped up last week and with the annual trek to Chicago came the media projections for each and every team in the conference.
We noted in our rundown last week that Iowa had three pre-season All-Big Ten nominees in offensive linemen Kade Pieper and Trevor Lauck, as well as defensive back Zach Lutmer, who also garnered votes for defensive player of the year in the conference. They were joined by TE DJ Vonnahme, who earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten.
As for the team overall, they were picked to finish 8th in the conference according to the media.
But the media doesn't always know what they're talking about (unless, of course, they're fan media on ablog, then they are always right about everything) and when it comes to perception of the Iowa Hawkeyes, that can be especially true. So last week we asked the fanbase where they expect to see the Hawkeyes finish in the conference standings in 2026.
#conference #last #hawkeyes #team
2 months ago
We are only three weeks away from the start of the Baltimore Ravens training camp. So football talking season (the prelude to football season) is now here. And it is always mock draft season. That's a year-round thing.
For this mock draft, we will only project the picks that are definitive at this time. We're only doing the six selections that we know Baltimore will definitely have. According to the league's website, they are likely to be awarded three more compensatory picks: two selections in round five and one in round six.
After the additional selections are made official, we will be back with a Ravens mock draft that includes them.
Round 1: Kade Pieper, C, Iowa
Perhaps the team's biggest question mark, heading into this season, is center. We just don't really know who is going to replace Tyler Linderbaum. The Ravens could go back to the same well (the University of Iowa) where they got Linderbaum, because, coincidentally, it is Pieper who is the highest-rated prospect at the position.
For this mock draft, we will only project the picks that are definitive at this time. We're only doing the six selections that we know Baltimore will definitely have. According to the league's website, they are likely to be awarded three more compensatory picks: two selections in round five and one in round six.
After the additional selections are made official, we will be back with a Ravens mock draft that includes them.
Round 1: Kade Pieper, C, Iowa
Perhaps the team's biggest question mark, heading into this season, is center. We just don't really know who is going to replace Tyler Linderbaum. The Ravens could go back to the same well (the University of Iowa) where they got Linderbaum, because, coincidentally, it is Pieper who is the highest-rated prospect at the position.
2 months ago
It's been quite the offseason for Iowa junior offensive lineman Kade Pieper.
It started with reports that he would be sliding over to center, which seems to be the case now. The Hawkeyes lost Rimington Award winner Logan Jones to the NFL. Pieper will try to fill those shoes in 2026. The Norfolk, Neb., native's offseason has continued with tons of preseason hype and accolades.
A few weeks ago, Pieper was named a preseason first-team All-American by Phil Steele. Last week, Athlon Sports gave him preseason first-team All-American honors. And, on Tuesday, another outlet awarded Pieper a preseason accolade.
The 6-foot-4, 290-pound offensive lineman was named a preseason Walter Camp first-team All-American. Walter Camp is the nation’s oldest college football All-America team and a prestigious honor for Pieper.
Pieper could be in first-round pick discussions after this season if he puts together another strong year. The Hawkeyes have had a lot of success putting centers into the NFL recently. James Daniels, Tyler Linderbaum, and Jones were all drafted in the last decade. Pieper looks set to continue that lineage.
It started with reports that he would be sliding over to center, which seems to be the case now. The Hawkeyes lost Rimington Award winner Logan Jones to the NFL. Pieper will try to fill those shoes in 2026. The Norfolk, Neb., native's offseason has continued with tons of preseason hype and accolades.
A few weeks ago, Pieper was named a preseason first-team All-American by Phil Steele. Last week, Athlon Sports gave him preseason first-team All-American honors. And, on Tuesday, another outlet awarded Pieper a preseason accolade.
The 6-foot-4, 290-pound offensive lineman was named a preseason Walter Camp first-team All-American. Walter Camp is the nation’s oldest college football All-America team and a prestigious honor for Pieper.
Pieper could be in first-round pick discussions after this season if he puts together another strong year. The Hawkeyes have had a lot of success putting centers into the NFL recently. James Daniels, Tyler Linderbaum, and Jones were all drafted in the last decade. Pieper looks set to continue that lineage.
2 months ago
As the 2026 Iowa football season creeps closer, Athlon Sports named three Hawkeyes to its annual preseason All-America teams.
Junior offensive lineman Kade Pieper was named to Athlon Sports' preseason first-team All-America offense, junior offensive lineman Trevor Lauck to its second-team All-America offense and junior defensive back Zach Lutmer to its fourth-team All-America defense.
Pieper was terrific last season for the Hawkeyes at right guard, starting all 13 games there as the unit captured the Joe Moore Award. A native of Norfolk, Neb., Pieper was a third-team All-Big Ten selection by the media last season.
The 6-foot-4, 290-pound lineman is making the transition to center for Iowa to replace Logan Jones, who was drafted by the Bears in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Lauck leapt into a starting role for the first time in his Hawkeye career as well, starting all 13 games at left tackle as he replaced longtime starter Mason Richman. The 6-foot-5, 310-pound tackle was a third-team All-Big Ten choice by the coaches.
Junior offensive lineman Kade Pieper was named to Athlon Sports' preseason first-team All-America offense, junior offensive lineman Trevor Lauck to its second-team All-America offense and junior defensive back Zach Lutmer to its fourth-team All-America defense.
Pieper was terrific last season for the Hawkeyes at right guard, starting all 13 games there as the unit captured the Joe Moore Award. A native of Norfolk, Neb., Pieper was a third-team All-Big Ten selection by the media last season.
The 6-foot-4, 290-pound lineman is making the transition to center for Iowa to replace Logan Jones, who was drafted by the Bears in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Lauck leapt into a starting role for the first time in his Hawkeye career as well, starting all 13 games at left tackle as he replaced longtime starter Mason Richman. The 6-foot-5, 310-pound tackle was a third-team All-Big Ten choice by the coaches.
2 months ago
We have reached another week into the Summer Scouting process, and that means we have wrapped up watching the top interior offensive linemen in the class heading into the Fall.
In total, I watched 11 interior offensive linemen and will be sharing some notes on the top 10. I will share all the names at the end, but when we discuss the top options of this interior offensive linemen class, there are some solid pieces for teams to target. The Summer is all about being positive with players, with some notes to keep in mind when we watch them in the Fall.
We have beaten around the bush enough, though, let's show our rankings.
"Pieper is a really fun offensive lineman prospect for the upcoming college football season. He has some serious potential to be the top-drafted guard in the 2027 NFL Draft if he declares."
"Greg Johnson is a fun guard prospect in a group of players that has underwhelmed to an extent this Summer. He strikes me as someone who could be a day one starter in the NFL and be a plus starter in two years' time."
In total, I watched 11 interior offensive linemen and will be sharing some notes on the top 10. I will share all the names at the end, but when we discuss the top options of this interior offensive linemen class, there are some solid pieces for teams to target. The Summer is all about being positive with players, with some notes to keep in mind when we watch them in the Fall.
We have beaten around the bush enough, though, let's show our rankings.
"Pieper is a really fun offensive lineman prospect for the upcoming college football season. He has some serious potential to be the top-drafted guard in the 2027 NFL Draft if he declares."
"Greg Johnson is a fun guard prospect in a group of players that has underwhelmed to an extent this Summer. He strikes me as someone who could be a day one starter in the NFL and be a plus starter in two years' time."
2 months ago
We have reached another week into the Summer Scouting process, and that means we have wrapped up watching the top interior offensive linemen in the class heading into the Fall.
In total, I watched 11 interior offensive linemen and will be sharing some notes on the top 10. I will share all the names at the end, but when we discuss the top options of this interior offensive linemen class, there are some solid pieces for teams to target. The Summer is all about being positive with players, with some notes to keep in mind when we watch them in the Fall.
We have beaten around the bush enough, though, let's show our rankings.
"Pieper is a really fun offensive lineman prospect for the upcoming college football season. He has some serious potential to be the top-drafted guard in the 2027 NFL Draft if he declares."
"Greg Johnson is a fun guard prospect in a group of players that has underwhelmed to an extent this Summer. He strikes me as someone who could be a day one starter in the NFL and be a plus starter in two years' time."
In total, I watched 11 interior offensive linemen and will be sharing some notes on the top 10. I will share all the names at the end, but when we discuss the top options of this interior offensive linemen class, there are some solid pieces for teams to target. The Summer is all about being positive with players, with some notes to keep in mind when we watch them in the Fall.
We have beaten around the bush enough, though, let's show our rankings.
"Pieper is a really fun offensive lineman prospect for the upcoming college football season. He has some serious potential to be the top-drafted guard in the 2027 NFL Draft if he declares."
"Greg Johnson is a fun guard prospect in a group of players that has underwhelmed to an extent this Summer. He strikes me as someone who could be a day one starter in the NFL and be a plus starter in two years' time."
3 months ago
As the weather warms up and the days get longer, summer is here. That also means college football is right around the corner.
It's now less than three months until Iowa returns to Kinnick Stadium for the 2026 season. And with the season fast approaching, preseason award and accolade predictions are being released.
The first major list to drop came from Phil Steele on Monday. The longtime college football writer released his annual preseason All-Conference and All-American teams, and plenty of Hawkeyes were littered throughout.
In total, five Hawkeyes were listed across Steele's four All-Big Ten preseason teams. Junior offensive lineman Kade Pieper was on the first team; junior offensive lineman Trevor Lauck and junior defensive back Zach Lutmer were on the second team; junior kicker Eli Ozick was on the third team; and sophomore tight end DJ Vonnahme was on the fourth team.
Two Hawkeyes were named to Steele's All-American teams. Pieper was a preseason first-team All-American, while Lutmer slotted in as a third-team preseason All-American.
It's now less than three months until Iowa returns to Kinnick Stadium for the 2026 season. And with the season fast approaching, preseason award and accolade predictions are being released.
The first major list to drop came from Phil Steele on Monday. The longtime college football writer released his annual preseason All-Conference and All-American teams, and plenty of Hawkeyes were littered throughout.
In total, five Hawkeyes were listed across Steele's four All-Big Ten preseason teams. Junior offensive lineman Kade Pieper was on the first team; junior offensive lineman Trevor Lauck and junior defensive back Zach Lutmer were on the second team; junior kicker Eli Ozick was on the third team; and sophomore tight end DJ Vonnahme was on the fourth team.
Two Hawkeyes were named to Steele's All-American teams. Pieper was a preseason first-team All-American, while Lutmer slotted in as a third-team preseason All-American.
