Pieper Named to Rimington Trophy Watch List

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa fourth-year offensive lineman Kade Pieper has been named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List on Thursday. The Rimington Trophy is presented annually to the country’s top center.

Pieper, a 2026 Walter Camp, Sporting News, Athlon Preseason first-team All-American, started all 13 games at guard in 2025 and is coming off a breakout campaign where he earned Pro Football Focus first-team All-America and third-team All-Big Ten accolades. An Outland Trophy candidate for 2026, he was a cornerstone of an Iowa offensive line that took home the prestigious Joe Moore Award in 2025. Behind Pieper and the front five, the Hawkeyes outrushed their opponents in nine of 13 contests a year ago. Additionally, Iowa’s protection unit allowed an average time-to-pressure of just 2.8 seconds, ranking fifth nationally.

The center with the most first-team votes on three All-America teams (Walter Camp Foundation, Sporting News and Football Writers Association of America) will determine the winner of the Rimington Trophy. The award is named after Nebraska center Dave Rimington, who is a two-time All-American, College Football Hall of Fame inductee, and the only college football player to win the Outland Trophy twice.

Former Hawkeyes Logan Jones (2025) and Tyler Linderbaum (2021) are previous recipients. Iowa is one of four schools to have multiple Rimington Trophy winners, joining Ohio State, Michigan and Alabama.

The Hawkeyes open the 2026 season on Sept. 5 against Northern Illinois at Kinnick Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:15 p.m. (CT).

HAWKEYES ON 2026 WATCH LISTS
* Trevor Lauck – Outland Trophy
* Kade Pieper – Outland Trophy | Rimington Trophy
* Zach Lutmer – Nagurski Trophy
* DJ Vonnahme – Mackey Award