Iowa football OL duo named to Lombardi Award midseason watch list

As the Iowa football program enjoys its bye week, fourth-year offensive linemen Kade Pieper and Trevor Lauck have both been named to the Lombardi Award Midseason watch list.

The Lombardi Award is given annually to the lineman or linebacker who best exemplifies character, discipline, and excellence on and off the field. It's named after legendary Green Bay Packers head coach Vince Lombardi.

Pieper and Lauck have both started all six games for the Hawkeyes' offensive line this season. They've helped Iowa run for 194 yards per game and kept the quarterback clean. Iowa has only allowed five sacks this season. The offense is also averaging 31 points per game, a big credit to the offensive line.

Built in the trenches.

Kade Pieper and Trevor Lauck have been named to the @lombardi_award Midseason Watchlist 🏆 pic.twitter.com/vDsSEQBWCr

— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) October 14, 2026

Pieper and Lauck were both named preseason All-Americans by various outlets. They were expected to be the anchors of an Iowa offensive line that lost three guys to the NFL. So far, they've done exactly that. Both players should see their names on the All-Big Ten teams by the end of the season, and they're both looking to become the first player in program history to take home the Lombardi Award.

The winner of the Lombardi Award will be announced in December.

No. 16 Iowa (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) returns to the gridiron next Saturday with a road game at Minnesota (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten). The game will kick off at either 2 or 2:30 p.m. CT.

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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football OL duo named to Lombardi Award midseason watch list