Several Iowa college players will be waiting to hear their name called later this week when the NFL Draft takes place in New York City. The first round is Thursday night and the highest rated college player from the state is Iowa tackle Bryan Bulaga who is expected by many to be one of their first ten players taken. Bulaga spent only three years with the Hawks before coming out of school early.
Iowa offensive coordinator Ken O’Keefe says Bulaga has his whole future in front of him, and says it will take a little developmental time as Bulaga has only been playing for three years. Bulaga is one of three members of last year’s offensive line that are expected to be taken. The list includes Kyle Calloway and tight end Tony Moeaki.
O’Keefe says when you see their draft status and where they are headed, he says it draws notice. Iowa corner Amari Spievey left school early and is considered a middle round prospect as are linebackers Pat Angerer and A.J. Edds.
Iowa defensive coordinator Norm Parker says he thinks they have a chance with the right team. He says Angerer will impress any team that drafts him, as he is a good athlete, but he is just not a big guy. Parker says Angerer is as talented athletically as former Hawkeye Chad Greenway, but he just doesn’t make you say “wow” when he walks in the room.
Parker says for all the players the draft is only the beginning. He says it is like signing a national letter of intent for college, it means you are on the team and then you have to go out and play.
Two players off the U.N.I. defense could get drafted, including defensive end James Ruffin. U.N.I. coach Mark Farley says Ruffin is being looked at as a defensive end or linebacker, depending the scheme a team plays. He says a big surprise has been free safety Quentin Scott. Scott played in the Texas versus the nation all-star game and impressed people. Farley says he also did well in pro workouts and he thinks he has a great chance to get on a team.
The highest rated Iowa State players in the draft are punter Mike Brandtner and offensive lineman Reggie Stephens. Rounds two through three will be on Friday and and final four rounds of the draft are on Saturday.
Elwin Huffman, KOEL, Oelwein also contributed to this story.