2022-04-28 07:00:00
NFL Draft outlook for Iowa, Iowa State and UNI
Trevor Penning, Tyler Linderbaum and Breece Hall will represent their respective Iowa football programs in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Adam Hensley, Wochit
Trevor Penning has found his football home.
The highly touted offensive tackle became the first Northern Iowa player ever selected in the NFL Draft’s opening round, going No. 19 overall to the New Orleans Saints on Thursday evening. Penning surpasses former UNI standout Brad Meester, who previously held the title as highest Panther drafted after going No. 60 overall in 200.
This selection culminates an incredible rise for one of the draft’s unlikeliest superstars. Penning had zero recruiting fanfare out of high school — UNI and South Dakota were the only Division I schools that offered — followed by a circuitous college career. After a redshirt season in 2017 followed by minimal playing time in 2018, Penning joined the starting lineup in 2019 and never looked back.
Over three seasons, Penning established himself as one of the nastiest offensive linemen in the country. A relentless motor pairs perfectly with athleticism not always seen with big men up front. Those are the biggest reasons why the Saints took Penning over linemen who racked up more spotlight time at larger universities.
More: What Mel Kiper said about Trevor Penning’s fit with the New Orleans Saints: ‘The talent is there’
Now, Penning will bring that play to football’s highest level. Some may wonder how a player from UNI found his way into the first round, but it’s no accident Penning is in the position he’s in.
Penning was beloved by the NFL scouting community for his intensity, size (6-foot-7, 325 pounds) and rare athleticism (4.89-second 40-yard dash).
“What you feel good about,” Panthers coach Mark Farley said earlier this month, “is here’s a guy who came out of Mason City Newman (High School). And I remember the first day I sat with his mother and met him. … And then when you see the plan come through like this, you just feel good for Trevor and everyone involved.”
Dargan Southard covers Iowa and UNI athletics, recruiting and preps for the Des Moines Register, HawkCentral.com and the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.
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