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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — University of Iowa redshirt sophomore tight end T.J. Hockenson was selected by the Detroit Lions in the first round of Thursday’s NFL Draft in downtown Nashville. Hockenson was the eighth player picked overall.
Hockenson is just the second Hawkeye tight end ever taken in the first round, joining Dallas Clark, who was picked 24th by the Indianapolis Colts in 2003.
During Iowa’s 9-4 season in 2018, Hockenson caught 49 passes for six touchdowns and led the team with 760 receiving yards. The first team All-Big Ten performer was named Kwalick-Clark Tight End of the Year, and he was also recipient of the Ozzie Newsome Award from Touchdown Club of Columbus, Ohio, and the John Mackey Award as the top tight end in the nation.
Hockenson was named to multiple All-America teams, including first team by American Football Coaches Association and USA Today.
The Lions are coming off a 6-10 season, fourth in the NFC Central Division. They were 25th of 32 NFL teams in passing yards with 3,599 in 16 games (335.0 yards per game). Former Hawkeye offensive lineman Andrew Donnal is a reserve guard for the Lions.
Iowa has had at least one player drafted in every NFL Draft since 1978. Hockenson is the 67th player coached by Kirk Ferentz at the University of Iowa to be selected in the NFL Draft, and the eighth first round selection. Hockenson is Iowa’s highest selection since 2015 when offensive lineman Brandon Scherff was selected fifth overall.
Hockenson is the 10th Ferentz-coached tight end to be drafted. He joins George Kittle (2017), C.J. Fiedorowicz (2014), Tony Moeaki (2010), Brandon Myers (2009), Scott Chandler (2007), Tony Jackson (2005), Erik Jensen (2004), Clark (2003), and Austin Wheatley (2000).
To read the University of Iowa’s NFL Draft Central Page, click HERE.
| HAWKEYES DRAFTED DURING FERENTZ ERA | |||||
| 2019 NFL Draft | |||||
| Round 1 | T.J. Hockenson | Detroit Lions | Tight End | ||
| 2018 NFL Draft | |||||
| Round 2 | James Daniels | Chicago Bears | Offensive Line | ||
| Round 2 | Josh Jackson | Green Bay Packers | Defensive Back | ||
| Round 4 | Josey Jewell | Denver Broncos | Linebacker | ||
| 2017 NFL Draft | |||||
| Round 3 | C.J. Beathard | San Francisco 49ers | Quarterback | ||
| Round 4 | Jaleel Johnson | Minnesota Vikings | Defensive Line | ||
| Round 5 | George Kittle | San Francisco 49ers | Tight End | ||
| Round 5 | Desmond King | Los Angeles Chargers | Defensive Back | ||
| 2016 NFL Draft | |||||
| Round 7 | Austin Blythe | Indianapolis Colts | Offensive Line | ||
| 2015 NFL Draft | |||||
| Round 1 | Brandon Scherff | Washington Redskins | Offensive Line | ||
| Round 3 | Carl Davis | Baltimore Ravens | Defensive Line | ||
| Round 4 | Andrew Donnal | St. Louis Rams | Offensive Line | ||
| 2014 NFL Draft | |||||
| Round 3 | C.J. Fiedorowicz | Houston Texans | Tight End | ||
| Round 3 | Christian Kirksey | Cleveland Browns | Linebacker | ||
| Round 4 | Anthony Hitchens | Dallas Cowboys | Linebacker | ||
| 2013 NFL Draft | |||||
| Round 5 | Micah Hyde | Green Bay Packers | Cornerback | ||
| 2012 NFL Draft | |||||
| Round 1 | Riley Reiff | Detroit | Offensive Line | ||
| Round 4 | Mike Daniels | Green Bay | Defensive Line | ||
| Round 5 | Adam Gettis | Washington | Offensive Line | ||
| Round 5 | Shaun Prater | Cincinnati | Defensive back | ||
| Round 6 | Marvin McNutt | Philadelphia | Wide receiver | ||
| Round 7 | Jordan Bernstine | Washington | Defensive back | ||
| 2011 NFL Draft | |||||
| Round 1 | Adrian Clayborn | Tampa Bay | Defensive end | ||
| Round 4 | Christian Ballard | Minnesota | Defensive Line | ||
| Round 5 | Ricky Stanzi | Kansas City | Quarterback | ||
| Round 5 | Karl Klug | Tennessee | Defensive Line | ||
| Round 5 | Julian Vandervelde | Philadelphia | Offensive Line | ||
| Round 6 | Tyler Sash | New York Giants | Defensive back | ||
| 2010 NFL Draft | |||||
| Round 1 | Bryan Bulaga | Green Bay | Offensive Line | ||
| Round 2 | Pat Angerer | Indianapolis | Linebacker | ||
| Round 3 | Amari Spievey | Detroit | Defensive back | ||
| Round 3 | Tony Moeaki | Kansas City | Tight end | ||
| Round 4 | A.J. Edds | Miami | Linebacker | ||
| Round 7 | Kyle Calloway | Buffalo | Offensive Line | ||
| 2009 NFL Draft | |||||
| Round 3 | Shonn Greene | New York Jets | Running back | ||
| Round 3 | Bradley Fletcher | St. Louis | Defensive back | ||
| Round 4 | Seth Olsen | Denver | Offensive Line | ||
| Round 6 | Brandon Myers | Oakland | Tight end | ||
| 2008 NFL Draft | |||||
| Round 3 | Charles Godfrey | Carolina | Defensive back | ||
| Round 4 | Kenny Iwebema | Arizona | Defensive end | ||
| Round 6 | Mike Humpal | Pittsburgh | Linebacker | ||
| 2007 NFL Draft | |||||
| Round 3 | Marshal Yanda | Baltimore | Offensive Line | ||
| Round 4 | Scott Chandler | San Diego | Tight end | ||
| Round 7 | Mike Elgin | New England | Offensive Line | ||
| 2006 NFL Draft | |||||
| Round 1 | Chad Greenway | Minnesota | Linebacker | ||
| Round 3 | Abdul Hodge | Green Bay | Linebacker | ||
| 2005 NFL Draft | |||||
| Round 2 | Matt Roth | Miami | Defensive end | ||
| Round 2 | Jonathan Babineaux | Atlanta | Defensive Line | ||
| Round 4 | Sean Considine | Philadelphia | Defensive Back | ||
| Round 6 | Tony Jackson | Seattle | Tight end | ||
| Round 6 | Pete McMahon | Oakland | Offensive Line | ||
| 2004 NFL Draft | |||||
| Round 1 | Robert Gallery | Oakland | Offensive Line | ||
| Round 2 | Bob Sanders | Indianapolis | Defensive Back | ||
| Round 3 | Nate Kaeding | San Diego | Place kicker | ||
| Round 7 | Jared Clauss | Tennessee | Defensive Line | ||
| Round 7 | Erik Jensen | St. Louis | Tight end | ||
| 2003 NFL Draft | |||||
| Round 1 | Dallas Clark | Indianapolis | Tight end | ||
| Round 2 | Eric Steinbach | Cincinnati | Offensive Line | ||
| Round 2 | Bruce Nelson | Carolina | Center | ||
| Round 5 | Derek Pagel | New York Jets | Defensive Back | ||
| Round 5 | Ben Sobieski | Buffalo | Offensive Line | ||
| 2002 NFL Draft | |||||
| Round 2 | Ladell Betts | Washington | Running Back | ||
| Round 5 | Aaron Kampman | Green Bay | Defensive Line | ||
| Round 6 | Kahlil Hill | Atlanta | Wide receiver | ||
| 2001 NFL Draft | |||||
| Round 6 | Kevin Kasper | Denver | Wide receiver | ||
| 2000 NFL Draft | |||||
| Round 5 | Austin Wheatley | New Orleans | Tight end | ||
| Round 6 | Matt Bowen | St. Louis | Defensive Back | ||
