IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa football fourth-year offensive linemen Trevor Lauck and Kade Pieper have been named to the midseason watch list for the 2026 Lombardi Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s best college offensive or defensive lineman. The announcement was made Tuesday by the Lombardi committee.
Lauck (left tackle) and Pieper (right guard) have combined for 38 career starts. Iowa’s offensive line has rushed for 200+ yards in three games this season, including a 422-yard output in Week 2 against Northern Iowa. The total is the seventh-most in a single game in program history.
In the game, the line paved the way for three 100-yard rushers – a first for the program since 1983. Iowa has had five 100-yard performers this season, including a season-best 208 yards from fourth-year Kamari Moulton in Week 6 at Washington.
With Lauck and Pieper anchoring Iowa’s offensive line as the only two returning starters, the Hawkeyes are averaging 31 points and 403.2 yards of total offense. Iowa’s rushing attack is churning out 194 yards per game and the o-line has surrendered just five sacks in the first six contests.
Center Tyler Linderbaum was a finalist for the Rotary Lombardi Award in 2021 and defensive end Adrian Clayborn was a finalist in 2010. Other Hawkeyes who have been semifinalists include linebacker Jay Higgins (2024), linebacker Jack Campbell (2022), offensive lineman Brandon Scherff (2014), offensive lineman Robert Gallery (2003), defensive lineman Jared DeVries (1998), offensive lineman Mike Devlin (1992) and defensive lineman Jeff Drost (1986).
No. 17 Iowa (5-1, 2-1) return to action at Minnesota (4-2, 2-1) on Saturday, Oct. 24.
