April 28, 2007
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IOWA CITY — Marshal Yanda, a 6-foot-4, 305-pound offensive lineman from Anamosa who started his two seasons at the University of Iowa, was the 83rd player selected Saturday in the 2007 NFL Draft staged at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall.
The Hawkeyes’ second-team all-Big Ten selection, 2006 Most Valuable Player on offense and winner of the Iron Hawk Award was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in Round 3 of the NFL’s annual draft of the very best college football players in the country.
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“This kid has a chance to compete at a guard or tackle, could be a factor right away,” said Mel Kiper, ESPN college football and NFL Draft analyst.
“He’s 6-4, 305 puonds. He played for Kirk Ferentz, you kow he was well-coached, fundamentally sound, technically sound. I think that connection — Kirk Ferentz and the Baltimore Ravens — may have been a factor in this.” |
Yanda is the latest addition to a long list of Iowa Hawkeyes who have advanced to the NFL after completing their college career. Over the past seven seasons, 46 of 54 senior starters have been selected in the NFL Draft or signed to an NFL free agent contract. That list includes Outland Trophy winner Robert Gallery, who was the second selection in the 2004 NFL Draft.
Chad Greenway was a first round pick in last year’s NFL Draft with fellow linebacker Abdul Hodge being selected in the third round. Seven Iowa players have been selected in the top 50 picks. Overall, 17 players have been drafted over the past four years. In addition, five Hawkeyes signed NFL free agent contracts the day after the 2003 draft, nine signed free agent contracts immediately following the 2004 draft, three signed in 2005 and four players signed immediately following the 2006 NFL Draft. “This kid has a chance to compete at a guard or tackle, could be a factor right away,” said Mel Kiper, ESPN college football and NFL Draft analyst.
“He’s 6-4, 305 puonds. He played for Kirk Ferentz, you kow he was well-coached, fundamentally sound, technically sound. I think that connection — Kirk Ferentz and the Baltimore Ravens — may have been a factor in this.”
Ferentz was the offensive line coach for the Ravens and the Cleveland Browns prior to becoming Iowa’s head coach nine years ago.
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