May 1, 2006
Two University of Iowa football players were selected during last weekend’s 71st annual National Football League Draft from Radio City Music Hall in New York. Four other Hawkeye seniors have either signed with NFL teams as free agents or are expected to sign in the near future.
Linebackers Chad Greenway and Abdul Hodge were selected during the first day of the NFL Draft. Greenway was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 17th overall pick in the first round, while the Green Bay Packers picked Hodge with the 67th overall selection in the third round.
Greenway became the third Iowa player to be drafted in the first round under Head Coach Kirk Ferentz. Furthermore, Greenway and Hodge became the 10th and 11th players picked in the first three rounds during Ferentz’s tenure.
Other Hawkeyes who signed free agents contracts or are expected to sign include offensive lineman Brian Ferentz (Atlanta Falcons), wide receiver Ed Hinkel (Baltimore Ravens), defensive back Jovon Johnson (TBA) and wide receiver Clinton Solomon (St. Louis Rams).
Greenway was a second team all-America selection by the Associated Press, Walter Camp Foundation and CNNSI.com his senior year. Hodge earned honorable mention all-America laurels by several publications. Hodge finished his career ranked third in Iowa career tackles (453), while Greenway ranked fifth (416).
Ferentz was an honorable mention all-Big Ten performer his senior year and was a team captain in 11 of Iowa’s 12 contests.
Hinkel completed his Hawkeye career ranked ninth in Iowa career receptions (135) and 14th in receiving yards (1,588). He tied an Iowa bowl record with two touchdown receptions in the 2006 Outback Bowl, set a Kinnick Stadium and matched the school record with four touchdown receptions in his final home game on Nov. 19, 2006 vs. Minnesota.
Johnson finished his Iowa career ranked third in career interceptions (17), one shy of the record. He also led the Big Ten in punt returns and ranked second in pass break-ups his senior campaign.
Solomon collected 118 receptions and 1,864 receiving yards during his career, both of which rank seventh in Hawkeye annals. He surpasses 100 receiving yards six times in his career.