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 analyst.
Jake Butt 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:
The best players in the best conference 💯
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) August 28, 2026
Do you agree with @Jbooty88's Top 10 @B1Gfootball list for 2026? 🏈 pic.twitter.com/CuEWDzxqqD
"I see a guy that's going to play for a decade plus in the NFL," Butt said. "He's your classic Iowa offensive lineman. Thick neck, strong back, great leverage, great feet, he does it all right. Don't be shocked to see him go day two, if not day one, in next year's NFL draft."
Iowa is going to rely on the offensive line to lead the way, especially early in the season. Having Pieper, alongside left tackle Trevor Lauck, as anchors of that line should do wonders for whoever starts at quarterback. The Hawkeyes' offensive line factory is back to full production.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Zach on X: @zach_hiney
This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Big Ten Network analyst names Iowa OL among league's top 10 players
