Last season, the University of Iowa claimed the Joe Moore Award, which goes to the nation's best offensive line unit. This year's Hawkeyes o-line looks just as good, if not better. The Hawks went into new Ryan Field last night, and took the game by the scruff of the neck from the opening kickoff.
The Iowa OL really dominated the game, besting a very good Northwestern defensive front. The mismatch was especially true on the interior, where tailback L.J. Phillips consistently found daylight to run to. Iowa's interior offensive line is especially strong, but the unit has a first-round prospect both on the outside (in left tackle Trevor Lauck) and inside (in right guard Kade Pieper).
For now, let's focus on Pieper, a blue-chip prospect in the truest
sense. He's got elite athleticism, and he grades out very high in both pass protection and run blocking.
Pieper has a wealth of experience, having been a multi-year starter at a program with a history of sending OL to the league. And these former Hawkeyes are not just pros; they are elite-level performers at the professional level. Pieper has a great mentor in center Logan Jones of the Chicago Bears, and that will serve him well towards reaching the league.
At 6-4, 290, Pieper could afford to add some weight, but the Norfolk, Nebraska native brings a lot of versatility to the table. He can play center as well, having been mentored quite well by Jones.
This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: NFL Draft stock report: buy- Kade Pieper, RG, Iowa Hawkeyes
