When you think of dominant offensive lines in college football, Iowa's name is always in the conversation. The Hawkeyes have built a reputation for producing NFL-ready talent in the trenches, and the 2025 season was no exception—three starting linemen heard their names called at the NFL Draft. But the pipeline isn't slowing down, and the next star is already making waves.

Meet Kade Pieper, the starting right guard for Iowa's Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line in 2025. Playing alongside future NFL picks Logan Jones and Gennings Dunker, Pieper often flew under the radar. But the spotlight is now firmly on him.

Pro Football Focus (PFF) recently released their rankings for the top interior offensive line prospects in the 2027 NFL Draft class, and Pieper sits at the very top. Not only is he the No. 1 interior lineman, but he's also ranked 34th overall on PFF's big board. And the competition is fierce—six of the top eight prospects at his position come from the Big Ten, proving just how stacked the conference is.

Some analysts believe Pieper could go even higher than his current ranking. One PFF mock draft has him landing at No. 16 overall to the Chicago Bears. That's serious buzz for a player who's just now getting his due.

The big question heading into the 2026 season is where Pieper will line up. With Logan Jones moving on, there's chatter that Pieper could shift to center, continuing Iowa's elite tradition at that position. Others think he'll stay at right guard, where he was a dominant force in 2025.

No matter where he plays, the talent is undeniable. Pieper is a key reason why Iowa's offensive line should remain strong, even after losing three starters to the NFL. If things go as expected, he'll be the next Hawkeye to hear his name called on draft day—and maybe sooner than you think.