Video: Kirk Ferentz reacts to Iowa football’s 18-16 loss to Oregon
Kirk Ferentz meets with media after Iowa football’s 18-16 loss to Oregon.
Week 10 of the 2025 NFL season is in the books, and several former Iowa football players had huge hands in their teams’ performances.
The collection of former Hawkeyes in the NFL continues to grow, with several more being added to rosters this year after many were active last season. While high-end names like Sam LaPorta, Cooper DeJean, George Kittle and Tristan Wirfs dominate the alumni list, several other names Iowa fans will recognize are making significant impacts at the pro level too.
With that, here are three ex-Hawkeyes who stood out in Week 10 of the NFL season.
George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers TE
Kittle is rounding back into form now that he’s fully healthy.
In his fourth game back from an early-season hamstring injury, the former Iowa tight end caught all nine of his targets for 84 yards and a touchdown in the 49ers’ 42-26 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Kittle has now scored in two of his last three games and looks like his dominant self again as the 49ers look to get back on track this year.
Anthony Nelson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers LB
Just a few weeks after scoring his first NFL touchdown, the former Iowa defensive standout nearly set another new personal record in Tampa Bay’s loss to the New England Patriots.
Nelson finished with six tackles, the second-most he’s had in any NFL game since breaking into the league in 2019. The only better individual performance came on Dec. 11, 2022, when Nelson piled up seven tackles against the San Francisco 49ers.
He and the Bucs will look to get back on track in Week 11 at Buffalo.
Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants RB
Tracy delivered his best game this year as New York’s lead running back, finishing with 14 carries for 71 yards and one catch for two yards in the Giants’ 24-20 loss to the Chicago Bears.
Both the carries and the yardage were season-highs. It was just the third time this year Tracy received double-digit touches and the first time since Oct. 26 vs. Philadelphia.
Dargan Southard is a sports trending reporter and covers Iowa athletics for the Des Moines Register and HawkCentral.com. Email him at msouthard@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.