NFL Draft wrap: Iowa ties selection high under Coach Kirk Ferentz

IOWA CITY - For the second straight year, Iowa had six players selected in the NFL Draft - tying for the most under Coach Kirk Ferentz.

Saturday, five Iowa players were picked in rounds four through six. Defensive lineman Christian Ballard was drafted in fourth round by Minnesota. Three former Hawkeyes - defensive lineman Karl Klug (Tennessee), quarterback Ricky Stanzi (Kansas City), guard Julian Vandervelde (Philadelphia) - went in the fifth round. The New York Giants drafted safety Tyler Sash in the sixth round.

Stanzi, who was considered a potential third-round pick, said he spoke with Chiefs officials during the off-season.

“I met with them at the combine and worked out with (quarterbacks) coach (Jim) Zorn a little bit,” Stanzi told Kansas City reporters. “I became familiar with the coaching staff and the organization.

“I am just very excited to be on an NFL team, especially the Chiefs with their great tradition. I am just excited to be a part of the team and I am ready to go to work.”

Stanzi, a three-year starter, threw for 3,004 yards, 25 touchdowns and six interceptions last year for Iowa. He set a single-season passing efficiency record of 157.63 last year and was named the team's offensive MVP.

Stanzi was the first Iowa quarterback drafted since Matt Rodgers (12th round) in 1992. He was the 14th Iowa quarterback drafted by a major professional football league. In 1986, the Chiefs drafted Mark Vlasic in the fourth round. Vlasic was the last Iowa quarterback to start a game in the NFL.

Ballard was the first Iowa player drafted. He was projected as a second-round pick but fell likely because of a report that he failed a drug test at the NFL Scouting Combine in February.

“I'm not really sure what caused that (the fall),” Ballard said. “I've made mistakes in the past, but I'm going to look to the future. I'm a Viking now. Whatever happened in the past is behind me. Now all that's on my mind right now is trying to make the Vikings a Super Bowl team.

When asked if he tested positive for marijuana at the combine, Ballard said, “That's confidential. I'm just not willing to speak on that right now.”

Ballard likely will work at both defensive tackle and defensive end for the Vikings. Defensive end Ray Edwards is expected to leave via free agency and defensive tackle Pat Williams may retire.

Klug was a second-team all-Big Ten selection at defensive tackle, but he'll likely move to defensive end in Tennessee's 4-3 scheme.

“I would be more than happy to do that,” Klug told Tennessee reporters. “I played a little end when I first got (to Iowa). I played all in high school, so I am comfortable playing on the outside at the end spot. I'll just have to work at it again and get used to it again. It won't be a problem.”

Vandervelde was the second guard selected by Philadelphia. The Giants have two solid safeties in Kenny Phillips and Antrel Rolle and Sash could fit as a backup.

Unlike the past, there are no free-agent transactions for undrafted players this year because of the NFL lockout. If the lockout is lifted by the U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, the players will have a chance to sign free-agent deals.

Among the undrafted Iowa players competing for free-agent deals include tight end Allen Reisner, wide receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, punter Ryan Donahue, fullback Brett Morse, long snapper Andrew Schulze, linebackers Jeremiha Hunter and Jeff Tarpinian and safety Brett Greenwood.

Defensive end Adrian Clayborn was selected by Tampa Bay in the first round Thursday. Click here to see Mike Hlas and I discussing his potential impact with the Buccaneers on Friday's version of "The Sports Desk."

Here are other blogs during the draft:

Saturday morning blog

Friday afternoon blog

Tampa Bay selects Adrian Clayborn