How NFL Combine impacted draft stock of Iowa, Iowa State, UNI prospects

INDIANAPOLIS — The 2022 NFL Combine undoubtedly helped some prospects from Iowa, Iowa State and Northern Iowa. Others didn’t have as good of a week.

C Tyler Linderbaum

Tyler Linderbaum was measured at 6-foot-2 with an arm length of 31 1/8 inches — the shortest measurements among offensive linemen at the 2022 combine. His athleticism and other strengths should keep him as a first-round pick and the top center in the draft, though.

Linderbaum’s recovery from a mid-foot sprain at the Citrus Bowl kept him out of the combine drills, so Iowa’s pro day in a few weeks will be a key opportunity for him to impress NFL scouts.

OT Trevor Penning

It’s hard to have a much better combine week than UNI’s Trevor Penning had.

His measurements — 6-foot-7, 325 pounds and an arm length of 34 1/4 inches — line up with what NFL teams crave. His 4.89-second 40-yard dash is near the ceiling of what offensive linemen have done.

Barring an injury or other unforeseen circumstance arising, Penning should be the first UNI player ever to be taken in the first round.

RB Breece Hall

Former Iowa State running back Breece Hall also had an excellent week at the NFL Combine.

Hall’s 4.39-second 40-yard time was one of the fastest among running backs despite weighing in at 217 pounds. His 40-inch vertical jump was the best at his position.

The 5-foot-11 running back appears to be on track to hear his name called on the second day of the draft.

TE Charlie Kolar

Former Iowa State tight end Charlie Kolar did not participate in the combine drills last week, putting more emphasis on Iowa State’s pro day.

Despite being in a particularly deep tight end class and not participating in combine drills, Kolar could be a valuable middle-round pick.

DB/LB Dane Belton

Going into the combine, Dane Belton’s versatility already made him appealing for NFL suitors.

Belton then helped his case with a 4.43-second 40-yard time. He still has the challenge of being in a relatively deep class of defensive backs in this year’s draft.

RB Tyler Goodson

The NFL Combine put an end to any questions about Tyler Goodson’s speed.

The former Hawkeye running back ran a 4.42-second 40-yard dash — one of the better times at his position in this year’s draft class and one that surely elevates his draft outlook.

TE Chase Allen

Iowa State’s Chase Allen didn’t have any major surprises while in Indianapolis.

He didn’t run a 40-yard dash, but his measurements and other drills were mostly on par with other tight ends in his class.

LB Mike Rose

Former Iowa State linebacker Mike Rose did not participate in many of the combine drills. The ones he did participate in — namely the vertical jump and broad jump — had average-to-below-average results.

DL Enyi Uwazurike

Enyi Uwazurike, like Rose, participated in two of the combine drills. One of those results was quite impressive.

The former Iowa State defensive tackle had the best vertical jump out of anyone at his position.

WR Isaiah Weston

UNI’s Isaiah Weston did plenty to improve his draft stock last week. His 4.42-second 40-yard time and 40-inch vertical jump were among the best at wide receiver.

His 20 bench press reps were the best although many prospects chose not to participate in the event.

QB Brock Purdy

Even Brock Purdy admitted he came into the NFL Combine a bit under the radar. His combine times likely didn’t do much to change that. The 6-foot-1 quarterback had either average or below-average times for his position.

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