CLEVELAND — University of Iowa linebacker Nick Niemann was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the sixth round of Saturday’s NFL Draft. Niemann was the 185th player picked overall.
Niemann is the ninth linebacker selected in the Kirk Ferentz era and the first since Josey Jewell was a fourth round selection in 2018.
Niemann (6-foot-4, 233-pounds) is a native of Sycamore, Illinois. He started all eight games in 2020. Niemann led Iowa with 77 tackles, including 37 solo stops and 40 assists. Niemann earned third-team All-Big Ten honors from league coaches and Phil Steele.
Following the season he was named a Permanent Team Captain, defense, and was recognized with the Hayden Fry Award. He earned Academic All-Big Ten recognition four straight years.
Last season, the Chargers won their last four games to finish in third place of the AFC West with a 7-9 record. Niemann will join former Iowa offensive lineman Bryan Bulaga in Los Angeles.
Niemann’s older brother, Ben, is in his fourth year with the Kansas City Chiefs. He joined the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2018.
Iowa has had at least one player drafted in every NFL Draft since 1978, including 10 first round selections. Niemann is the 79th player coached by Kirk Ferentz at the University of Iowa to be selected in the NFL Draft.
To read the University of Iowa’s NFL Draft Central Page, click HERE.
NFL Draft During Ferentz Era
2023 NFL Draft | |||
Round | |||
2022 NFL Draft | |||
Round 1 | Tyler Linderbaum | Baltimore | Offensive Line |
Round 4 | Dane Belton | New York Giants | Defensive Back |
2021 NFL Draft | |||
Round 3 | Chauncey Golston | Dallas | Defensive End |
Round 5 | Ihmir Smith-Marsette | Minnesota | Wide Receiver |
Round 5 | Daviyon Nixon | Carolina | Defensive Tackle |
Round 6 | Nick Niemann | Los Angeles Chargers | Linebacker |
2020 NFL Draft | |||
Round 1 (13 overall) | Tristan Wirfs | Tampa Bay | Offensive Tackle |
Round 2 | A.J. Epenesa | Buffalo | Defensive End |
Round 3 | Michael Ojemudia | Denver | Defensive Back |
Round 7 | Geno Stone | Baltimore | Defensive Back |
Round 7 | Nate Stanley | Minnesota | Quarterback |
2019 NFL Draft | |||
Round 1 (8 overall) | T.J. Hockenson | Detroit | Tight End |
Round 1 (20) | Noah Fant | Denver | Tight End |
Round 4 | Anthony Nelson | Tampa Bay | Defensive End |
Round 4 | Amani Hooker | Tennessee | Defensive Back |
2018 NFL Draft | |||
Round 2 | James Daniels | Chicago | Offensive Line |
Round 2 | Josh Jackson | Green Bay | Defensive Back |
Round 4 | Josey Jewell | Denver | Linebacker |
2017 NFL Draft | |||
Round 3 | C.J. Beathard | San Francisco | Quarterback |
Round 4 | Jaleel Johnson | Minnesota | Defensive Line |
Round 5 | George Kittle | San Francisco | Tight End |
Round 5 | Desmond King | Los Angeles Chargers | Defensive Back |
2016 NFL Draft | |||
Round 7 | Austin Blythe | Indianapolis | Offensive Line |
2015 NFL Draft | |||
Round 1 (5 overall) | Brandon Scherff | Washington | Offensive Line |
Round 3 | Carl Davis | Baltimore | Defensive Line |
Round 4 | Andrew Donnal | St. Louis | Offensive Line |
2014 NFL Draft | |||
Round 3 | C.J. Fiedorowicz | Houston | Tight End |
Round 3 | Christian Kirksey | Cleveland | Linebacker |
Round 4 | Anthony Hitchens | Dallas | Linebacker |
2013 NFL Draft | |||
Round 5 | Micah Hyde | Green Bay | Defensive Back |
2012 NFL Draft | |||
Round 1 (23 overall) | 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, Jr. | Philadelphia | Wide Receiver |
Round 7 | Jordan Bernstine | Washington | Defensive Back |
2011 NFL Draft | |||
Round 1 (20 overall) | 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 (23 overall) | Bryan Bulaga | Green Bay | Offensive Line |
Round 2 | Pat Angerer | Indianapolis | Linebacker |
Round 3 | Amari Spievey | Detroit | Defensive Back |
Round 4 | A.J. Edds | Miami | Linebacker |
Round 6 | 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 | Ken 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 (17 overall) | 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 (2 overall) | Robert Gallery | Oakland | Offensive Line |
Round 2 | Bob Sanders | Indianapolis | Defensive Back |
Round 3 | Nate Kaeding | San Diego | Kicker |
Round 7 | Jared Clauss | Tennessee | Defensive Line |
Round 7 | Erik Jensen | St. Louis | Tight End |
2003 NFL Draft | |||
Round 1 (24 overall) | 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 |