Iowa's Austin Blythe heads to Indy, others agree to free-agent deals

IOWA CITY — Iowa's draft-day misery nearly became a whiff of Big Ten irony.

The league's only football team without a regular-season blemish last fall nearly became the only Big Ten squad to end the seven-round NFL draft without a selection this spring. Luckily for the Hawkeyes, center Austin Blythe provided the team — and himself — with an exhale just six picks from the ending.

Indianapolis grabbed Blythe in the seventh round (248th overall) to extend Iowa's streak of drafted players to 39 years. Blythe, a Williamsburg native, opened his final 45 games at Iowa and had 49 career starts in 50 games played. He started at center in both his sophomore and senior seasons and split time at center and guard as a junior.

'It was a long day, but it was fun being here with family,' Blythe said. 'Finally getting that call was a dream come true. I can't really compare it to anything.'

Finally living out the dream I've had since the 6th grade! April 30, 2016

Finally living out the dream I've had since the 6th grade! pic.twitter.com/5zrmPVgvzk

— Austin Blythe (@ABlythe63)

Blythe, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 291 pounds, is the 16th offensive lineman drafted under Coach Kirk Ferentz but the first center since Bruce Nelson was taken in the second round of the 2003 draft. Indianapolis drafted two centers this year, including Blythe. First-round pick Ryan Kelly of Alabama and Blythe were two of the three Rimington Award finalists last season and now will compete for time at center or possibly guard.

At Iowa, Blythe was named a permanent team captain. He was a second-team all-Big Ten selection, a third-team All-American and a Rimington Trophy finalist, which goes to the nation's best center.

Several Iowa players agreed to free-agent deals within minutes of the draft. Kicker Marshall Koehn, a Solon native, will sign with the Miami Dolphins. Koehn will compete against Andrew Franks, who was 13 of 16 in field-goal attempts and 33 of 36 on extra points last year. Franks was 5 of 8 on field goals beyond 40 yards.

Koehn, a Solon native, tied the Kinnick Stadium record with a game-winning 57-yard field goal against Pittsburgh last season. He scored 95 points last year, the ninth-best single-season scoring total in Iowa history. He ranked eighth nationally in touchback percentage in 2014. Koehn connected on 16 of 20 field goals and 47 of 53 extra-point attempts last season. He was named second-team all-Big Ten by league coaches.

At the NFL Scouting Combine, Koehn floored scouts by running the 40-yard dash in 4.61 seconds. He not only won the specialist group, Koehn beat every tight end, quarterback, offensive lineman, all but one defensive linemen, all but five linebackers and all but six safeties. Koehn's time was better than nearly half of the wide receivers and running backs.

Wide receiver Tevaun Smith announced on Twitter he will go to training camp with the Indianapolis Colts.

It's all about getting an opportunity. Thank you April 30, 2016

It's all about getting an opportunity. Thank you @Colts !!

— Tevaun Smith (@TevaunSmith)

Smith caught 102 passes for 1,500 yards to rank 19th in career receiving yards at Iowa. He hauled in an 85-yard touchdown strike in the Big Ten Championship Game last December to give Iowa a lead it did not relinquish until the final 30 seconds.

Like Smith, safety Jordan Lomax tweeted that he agreed to a contract with the Los Angeles Rams. Lomax totaled 200 tackles, two interceptions and two forced fumbles in his Iowa career. Lomax, who started 27 games at Iowa, was named third-team all-Big Ten and second-team academic All-American.

God has a plan for everyone blessed to join the LA Rams organizationApril 30, 2016

God has a plan for everyone blessed to join the LA Rams organization

— Jordan Lomax (@jordanlomax27)

Tight end Henry Krieger Coble, a 6-foot-3, 248-pound native of nearby Mount Pleasant, signed with the Denver Broncos. He ranked second at Iowa in receptions (35) and third in receiving yards (405) and scored one touchdown. Known for his hands, Krieger Coble caught nine consecutive passes for first downs over a five-game span.

'Krieger Coble, I still don't know why he wasn't invited to the combine,' NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said. 'Had a really good solid Senior Bowl week. I think he's probably a fifth- or sixth-round tight end. The tight end position is kind of pick your flavor. I think he can play in-line, but they'd like him to be bigger. He could be a move guy or a fullback depending on the offense.'

As a junior, Krieger Coble had three catches for 28 yards and two touchdowns.

Iowa running back Jordan Canzeri will have a free-agent tryout with the Kansas City Chiefs next weekend, his agent Jack Bechta told The Gazette. Canzeri ran for 984 yards last season and was a third-team all-Big Ten running back. He ranks 13th in school history with 2,073 rushing yards.

Iowa fullback Adam Cox agreed to terms with the Atlanta Falcons, according to www.boomfootball.com. Iowa guard Jordan Walsh also picked the Falcons, according to www.profootballspot.com.

Other players agreeing to terms according to various reports include Cedar Rapids Kennedy graduate and Oregon defensive end Christian French (Seattle), Northern Iowa cornerback Makinton Dorleant (Green Bay), Iowa State defensive lineman Dale Pierson (Green Bay), Iowa State wide receiver Quenton Bundrage (New York Jets), offensive lineman Jamison Lalk (Buffalo) and offensive lineman Oni Omoile (Oakland).

l Comments: (319) 339-3169; scott.dochterman@thegazette.com