Iowa One Of The Top Schools For Alumni In The NFL Playoffs

The NFL Playoffs kick off this weekend with play in the Wildcard round. The league has games scheduled for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday night. Even if your favorite team didn't make it in...cough, cough, the Packers...Iowa fans will still be able to cheer as the Hawkeyes are one of the best-represented colleges with alumni playing in this year's playoffs.

The folks over at ClutchBet took a look at the top colleges that have the most former players still active in the NFL Playoffs. Sure, you've got some college football powerhouses on the list, but you also have the Iowa Hawkeyes. Here are the schools with the most players on NFL Playoff rosters.

1. LSU - 27
2. Clemson - 26
3. Georgia - 26
4. Alabama - 24
5. Ohio State - 24
6. Iowa - 23

How about those Hawkeyes? So which NFL Playoff team has the most former Hawkeyes? That would be the surprise team of this year's playoffs, the Jacksonville Jaguars. On the Jacksonville roster are Iowa players C.J. Beathard, Mehki Sargent, Brandon Scherff, and Coy Cronk.

Two former Hawkeye stars are on the Buffalo Bills. A.J. Epenesa and Micah Hyde. Hyde has been on the injured reserve list with a neck injury but could return if the Bills make a lengthy playoff run. Another former Hawkeye has one of the most important jobs in the NFL. Protecting the blindside of an NFL legend.

It has been an up-and-down year for Tampa Bay and Tristan Wirfs. The former Iowa offensive lineman missed time due to injury but is back protecting Tom Brady as the Bucs try and go on one more Super Bowl run. Other than linemen, Iowa is best known for turning out some amazing tight ends. Three are in the NFL Playoffs.

Perhaps no NFL player saw their situation improve more this year than former Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson. He was traded from Detriot to the NFC North Champion Minnesota Vikings mid-season. Instead of his season being over, he's in the playoffs. The other two former Iowa tight ends actually face off against each other on Saturday. Noah Fant and the Seattle Seahawks are at George Kittle's San Francisco 49ers.

So what about other players from Iowa colleges? Brock Purdy might be the best-known former Cyclone left but ClutchBet reports that there are six former Iowa State players in the NFL Playoffs. This weekend is filled with exciting games and plenty of former Iowa players to cheer for!

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