Four Hawkeye football stars drafted into the NFL

The annual NFL Draft started last Thursday, and hundreds of young men met their dreams of reaching the highest level of football available. Although no Iowa players were drafted in the first two rounds, a total of four were selected throughout the weekend.

Who’s your favorite Hawk in the NFL?

CJ Beathard – QB – San Francisco 49ers

In what was perhaps the biggest surprise of the Draft, former Iowa QB CJ Beathard was drafted in the third round by the 49ers. Previously thought to be the last Hawkeye drafted – if drafted at all – Beathard was the first Hawk off the board. In a QB regime headed by former Bears’ starters Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley, Beathard will have to work hard to see the field next season in San Francisco.

George Kittle – TE – San Francisco 49ers

Joining his former QB in San Francisco will be tight end George Kittle. A red zone target at Iowa, Kittle finished his career with 737 yards and 10 touchdowns with the Hawks. As a dynamic player that has speed, strength and catching ability, Kittle could easily see some playing time with the 49ers in the fall.

Desmond King – DB – LA Chargers

Had King entered last year’s Draft, he was predicted to potentially go top-15 in the first round. Staying to complete his education, King was almost never thrown at last season, which dramatically dropped his draft stock.

For the entire fourth round, Desmond’s name topped the list of best available players. He finally got the call from the newly relocated Chargers in the fifth round, and he’s a nearly guaranteed starter in the coming fall.

Oct 10, 2015; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Desmond King (14) signals for the first down late in the fourth quarter after Iowa recovered a fumble against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Kinnick Stadium. Iowa beat Illinois 29-20. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Jaleel Johnson – DL – Minnesota Vikings

Jaleel Johnson was predicted to go in the second round, slipping into the third at the latest. Unfortunately for Johnson, his name wasn’t called after Friday night’s rounds two and three selections.

However, he got the call from Minnesota early Saturday and will be heading up north to try to find a spot in one of the best defenses in the NFL as a fourth round pick. Pretty fitting for a player who held down a defensive line that beat Michigan’s high powered offense last year.

Although no other Hawkeyes besides these four were drafted, several others did sign with teams. Among them were WR Riley McCarron to the Texans, CB Greg Mabin to the Buccaneers and OL Cole Croston and RB LeShun Daniels to the Patriots.

Look for all these former Hawkeyes to have long and successful careers at the next level!