Gennings Dunker Is Making a Statement at the Senior Bowl - and NFL Teams Are Taking Notice
Every year, the Senior Bowl brings together some of the best upperclassmen in college football for a final audition in front of NFL scouts, coaches, and executives. And while the game itself gets plenty of attention, it's the practices leading up to it where reputations are made - or remade. This week in Mobile, Alabama, one name has steadily climbed the radar: Gennings Dunker.
The Iowa offensive lineman isn't just showing up - he's showing out.
Dunker’s Versatility Is Turning Heads
Dunker has always had a bit of a cult following in Iowa City. Between the flowing red hair and easygoing personality, he stood out even before he stepped onto the field. But now, under the watchful eyes of NFL personnel, he's proving there's substance behind the style.
Coming off a season where he anchored an Iowa offensive line that won the Joe Moore Award - given to the nation’s top O-line unit - Dunker is showing exactly why he was such a key piece. Though he primarily played tackle for the Hawkeyes, the Senior Bowl practices have given him the chance to showcase something NFL coaches love to see: position flexibility.
Over the course of the week, Dunker has taken snaps at tackle, guard, and even center. That kind of versatility isn’t just rare - it’s invaluable.
Most college linemen come into the draft with experience at one, maybe two positions. Dunker’s ability to slide across the line and look comfortable doing it?
That’s the kind of trait that gets a player on a draft board - and then moves him up it.
When asked about where he sees himself fitting at the next level, Dunker kept it simple: he’s comfortable at both guard and tackle, and even took some reps at center just to round things out. Then, with a grin, he added that he’s happy to play anywhere on the line - just don’t ask him to catch the ball. That kind of personality, paired with his on-field adaptability, is exactly what makes him a fan favorite and a coach’s dream.
A Steady Climb from Redshirt to Reliable Starter
Dunker’s rise hasn’t been overnight. He redshirted in 2021, then gradually worked his way into a starting role, splitting time at guard and tackle before locking down the right tackle spot in his senior season. He started all 13 games for Iowa this past year, finishing with 38 career starts - a testament to both his durability and consistency.
That kind of experience matters. NFL teams are always on the lookout for plug-and-play linemen - guys who can step into a rotation without needing years of development.
Dunker fits that mold. He’s not just a project with upside; he’s a proven commodity with the tape to back it up.
What It Means for His Draft Stock
The Senior Bowl is often a turning point for prospects like Dunker - players who might not be household names nationally but have the tools to make an impact in the league. With every snap he takes at a new position, Dunker is showing teams that he’s more than just a college tackle - he’s a Swiss Army knife on the offensive line.
And in today’s NFL, where injuries and scheme changes demand flexibility, that kind of versatility is more valuable than ever.
Whoever drafts Gennings Dunker won’t just be getting a lineman - they’ll be getting a ready-made contributor who can patch holes, compete for a starting job, and bring a little personality to the locker room while he’s at it.
The draft may still be months away, but if this week in Mobile is any indication, Dunker’s stock is only going one direction: up.