Lauck, Pieper Named to Lombardi Award Watch List

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa fourth-year offensive linemen Trevor Lauck and Kade Pieper have been named to the 2026 Lombardi Award Watch List, it was announced Tuesday.

The Lombardi Award is presented annually to the college football lineman or linebacker who best embodies the values and spirit of legendary NFL coach Vince Lombardi: character, discipline, and excellence both on and off the field.

Pieper (6-foot-3, 301 pounds), a 2026 Walter Camp, Sporting News, and Athlon preseason first-team All-American, started all 13 games at guard in 2025. He is coming off a breakout redshirt sophomore campaign where he earned Pro Football Focus first-team All-America and third-team All-Big Ten accolades. Pieper anchored an Iowa offensive line that claimed the prestigious Joe Moore Award in 2025 as the nation's top offensive line unit. Behind the front five, the Hawkeyes outrushed their opponents in nine of 13 contests, while the protection unit allowed an average time-to-pressure of just 2.8 seconds, ranking fifth nationally.

Lauck (6-foot-6, 308 pounds), an Athlon preseason second-team All-American, is one of six juniors serving on the team’s 2026 Leadership Council. The Indianapolis, Indiana, native started all 13 games at left tackle in 2025, earning third-team All-Big Ten honors while solidifying the blind side of Iowa's Joe Moore Award-winning line.

The Lombardi Award winner will be announced in December following a vote by a national selection committee.

Iowa opens the 2026 season on Sept. 5 hosting Northern Illinois at Kinnick Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:15 p.m. (CT).

HAWKEYES ON 2026 WATCH LISTS
* Trevor Lauck – Outland Trophy | Lombardi Award
* Eli Ozick – Lou Groza Award
* Kade Pieper – Outland Trophy | Rimington Trophy | Lombardi Award
* Zach Lutmer – Nagurski Trophy
* Jayden Montgomery - Wuerffel Trophy
* DJ Vonnahme – Mackey Award