Iowa TEs NFL success rate
Every tight end who has started under Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz has made at least a practice squad roster, representing a near-perfect NFL placement rate.
Snapshot · New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce
George Kittle on Tight End Respect, Mike Evans on the 49ers, F*ck Dallas Shirt & TEU Recap | EP 197
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Jul 1, 2026
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Iowa's Perfect NFL Pipeline for Tight Ends
At 35:00 · chapter starts 33:20
Jason raises the question that every Iowa tight end gets asked: what is it about that program? Kittle's answer is structural. From day one, every player is told they will not play if they cannot run block — which immediately makes every Iowa tight end a complete two-way player rather than a receiving specialist. [1] — George Kittle "Under Kirk Ferentz, every tight end who has started at Iowa has made at least an NFL practice squad. Kittle uses that stat as his entire re…" 34:28 It instills an unselfish, team-first mentality before a player ever takes a snap. The pipeline numbers are striking: every tight end who has started under Kirk Ferentz has made at least an NFL practice squad, and roughly 15 of 18 have made full active rosters. Kittle uses this as his literal recruiting pitch — not national championships, not glamour, just a near-certain path to the league. He caps it by noting Iowa City is a fantastic college party town, which he offers without apology as a secondary selling point.
Iowa's Near-Perfect NFL Pipeline for Tight Ends
Under Kirk Ferentz, every tight end who has started at Iowa has made at least an NFL practice squad. Kittle uses that stat as his entire recruiting pitch. It isn't about national championships — it's about getting through the door.
Iowa TEs who started made at least practice squad
George Kittle claims every tight end who has started at Iowa under Kirk Ferentz has made at least an NFL practice squad.
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