IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior center Logan Jones is one of seven semifinalists for the 2025 Outland Trophy. The announcement was made Wednesday by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee. The Outland Trophy is presented annually to the nation’s best interior lineman on offense or defense.

Joining Jones as semifinalists are offensive linemen Spencer Fano (Utah), Iapani Laloulu (Oregon), Kadyn Proctor (Alabama) and Carter Smith (Indiana), and defensive tackles Kayden McDonald (Ohio State) and Landon Robinson (Navy).

Jones anchors Iowa’s offensive line, which is a Joe Moore Award semifinalist. The native of Council Bluffs, Iowa, has started 48 career games and has served as a game captain each week this season. He is the top-rated center in the country by Pro Football Focus and has not been flagged for an offensive holding penalty in 2025. Jones was the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week on the weekend of Oct. 25 following Iowa’s 41-3 convincing victory over Minnesota.

Jones and the Hawkeyes have out-rushed their opponents in eight of the 10 contests, compiling 245 yards in the victory over Penn State on Oct. 18 and rushing for 310 yards in the season-opening win over UAlbany. The unit has helped Iowa gain more than 200 yards in four games and the line has surrendered just 13 sacks.

Jones’ protection along with the rest of the line has helped quarterback Mark Gronowski become a rushing threat. Gronowski has rushed for a touchdown in all 10 games, which is a Big Ten single season record for the most consecutive games with a rushing touchdown by a quarterback. His 13 rushing scores this season are the most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in program history.

The Iowa football program has had four Outland Trophy Winners, fifth among all college programs behind Nebraska, Alabama, Oklahoma and Texas. Previous Hawkeye award winners include Brandon Scherff (2014), Robert Gallery (2003), Alex Karras (1957) and Calvin Jones (1955).

Former Iowa offensive lineman Tyler Linderbaum (2021) and defensive lineman Daviyon Nixon (2020) were finalists in back- to-back years. Offensive linemen Tristan Wirfs and Mike Devlin were recognized as semifinalists in 2019 and 1992, respectively.

The semifinalists will be pared to three finalists on Nov. 25. The recipient of the 2025 Outland Trophy will be announced on Dec. 12.

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.

Iowa (6-4) hosts Michigan State (3-7) in its 2025 home finale on Saturday (2:35 p.m., FS1).