Jones Tabbed Outland Trophy National Player of the Week

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa graduate student Logan Jones was honored Tuesday as the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week for games played during the weekend of Oct. 25, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA). 

Jones (6-foot-3, 302 pounds) and the Hawkeyes dominated Minnesota early and continued to pound the ball throughout its 41-3 win to maintain possession of Floyd of Rosedale. Jones anchored the middle of the offensive line that graded as the country’s best last weekend.

The two-time All-Big Ten center from Council Bluffs had the offensive line working well, and fast. The Hawkeyes (6-2, 4-1) had a 128-12 advantage in total yards in the first quarter and 186-44 by halftime. Iowa’s 31 first-half points were the most it has scored in a half since 2021.

Jones, who started his 46th career game and has served as a game captain each week this season, helped the Hawkeyes allow only one pressure against a Minnesota defense that registered nine sacks against Nebraska in its previous game.

Iowa’s offensive line earned the highest grade in the FBS by Pro Football Focus from the game, and Jones is the No. 1-rated center by the service. With Jones in the middle, all five Hawkeye offensive linemen who played at least 40 snaps earned pass blocking grades above 80 percent against Minnesota.

The Hawkeyes have outrushed their opponents in seven of the team’s eight games and have 200 or more rushing yards in four of their eight games.

Jones’ protection along with the rest of the line has helped quarterback Mark Gronowski become a rushing threat. Gronowski rushed for a touchdown against Minnesota, marking the eighth straight game with a rushing score that is a Big Ten single season record for the most consecutive games with a rushing touchdown by a quarterback. His 11 rushing scores this season tie Wilburn Hollis for the most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in program history.

Iowa has a proud history with the Outland Trophy with four former winners and two previous finalists. Its last finalist was the player Jones replaced as the starting center, Tyler Linderbaum in 2021. Hawkeye defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon was also a finalist in 2020. Iowa’s last Outland Trophy winner was offensive tackle Brandon Scherff in 2014.   

The recipient of the 2025 Outland Trophy will be announced Dec. 12. The Outland Trophy winner is chosen from finalists who are a part of the annual FWAA All-America Team. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the entire membership, selects a 26-man first team and eventually three Outland finalists. Committee members, then by individual ballot, select the winner. Only interior linemen on offense or defense are eligible for the award.

The Outland Trophy, celebrating 80 years since its founding, is the third-oldest major college football award. Created in 1946 when Dr. John Outland presented the FWAA with a financial contribution to initiate the award, the Outland Trophy has been given to the best interior lineman in college football ever since. Dr. Outland, an All-American at the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1890s, eventually took up practice in Kansas City, Mo. An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Outland believed linemen did not get the credit they deserved and wanted an award to recognize them.

The Hawkeyes are idle this weekend. Iowa will host nationally-ranked Oregon on Saturday, Nov. 8.