Green Bay Packers view Iowa football as ‘really solid program’

IOWA CITY — Lukas Van Ness realized his NFL destination almost seemed “meant to be.”

The former Iowa defensive end already was in Wisconsin at his family’s secondary home near Geneva Lake when the Green Bay Packers selected him.

“So actually pretty close to home here now,” Van Ness told Green Bay reporters over the phone Thursday night.

One could say it also was almost meant to be because of the Packers’ recent history of taking Hawkeyes.

The Packers have drafted seven Hawkeyes during the Kirk Ferentz era. No other NFL team has drafted more than five Iowa players during that span.

That includes two first-round selections — Van Ness in 2023 and Bryan Bulaga in 2010. The only other NFL teams to take multiple Hawkeyes in the first round during the Ferentz era are Tampa Bay and Detroit.

The Hawkeyes, Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst said, “have a really solid program.”

“Coach Ferentz does a great job out there,” Gutekunst said. “Those guys learn how to work. They got to earn it there, which is something that is important."

As colleges across the country held pro days, Gutekunst picked Iowa’s as one he wanted to attend rather than delegating it to others in the front office.

“They have a very good process of the players that they select,” Gutekunst said, “and then they train them very well.”

Van Ness will reunite with former Iowa running back Tyler Goodson, who signed with the Packers as an undrafted free agent last year.

Time will tell whether any more Hawkeyes make the trip with Van Ness to Titletown. The Packers’ needs include tight end and safety — two positions where Iowa has NFL Draft prospects.

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com