ESPN names 3 Hawkeyes to top 100 football ranking

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IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) - The University of Iowa’s football season opens next week, and some of the Hawkeyes are being highlighted for their chance to shine this year.

ESPN shared its top 100 player preseason prediction Wednesday, and three Iowa players are mentioned.

Offensive lineman and senior Kade Pieper ranked in the top 50, coming in at number 40 on the list. Another lineman, senior Trevor Lauck, came in at 54.

And senior Zach Lutmer, part of Iowa’s defensive back, came in at 72.

ESPN says Pieper and Lauck will be the linchpin of Iowa’s offensive line as the team debuts three new starters.

Last week, Pieper was voted first-team center in AP’s preseason All-America teams. He’ll start as right guard.

Lutmer was highlighted as the anchor for the team’s defense. He registered 71 tackles, a sack and three interceptions for an Iowa defense that ranked eighth in the nation in scoring.

ESPN spotlights Lutmer’s interception last season of top-ranking Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

Iowa kicks off its season on Saturday, September 5 at Kinnick against Northern Illinois. Kickoff is at 3:15 p.m.