Week 13 of the 2025 NFL season gave us another reminder of just how deep Iowa’s football pipeline runs. The Hawkeyes aren’t just producing NFL players - they’re producing playmakers, and this past weekend, a trio of former Iowa standouts made their presence felt in a big way.
From a lineman living out every big man’s dream to a tight end doing what he does best, and a safety grinding through a tough season with a standout performance - Iowa’s NFL alumni showed out. Let’s break down three former Hawkeyes who made serious noise in Week 13.
Tristan Wirfs - OL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Big men don’t get many chances to touch the ball, let alone score touchdowns. So when it happens? You celebrate it.
Tristan Wirfs, the Buccaneers’ anchor on the offensive line, got his moment in the spotlight with a 2-yard touchdown catch from Baker Mayfield - the first of his NFL career. That score helped Tampa Bay edge out the Arizona Cardinals, 20-17, in front of a home crowd that erupted when the big man crossed the goal line.
Wirfs didn’t log any receptions during his time at Iowa, and even in high school at Mount Vernon, he wasn’t known for catching passes. Though, fun fact - he did return a punt 31 yards for a touchdown back then.
So maybe there’s a little hidden playmaker in him after all. Either way, Tampa Bay dialed up some trickery, and Wirfs delivered.
A big-man TD is always a fan favorite, but it’s even better when it comes from a guy who’s been consistently elite in the trenches.
George Kittle - TE, San Francisco 49ers
George Kittle is back doing George Kittle things.
The 49ers' star tight end continues to be a matchup nightmare, and he reminded everyone just how dangerous he can be in San Francisco’s dominant 26-8 road win over the Cleveland Browns. Kittle led all receivers in the game with 67 yards on four catches, including a highlight-reel 33-yard grab that showcased his blend of strength, speed, and savvy route-running.
Kittle’s been battling some injuries this season, but when he’s on the field, he’s producing. Through just eight games, he’s already up to 37 receptions for 396 yards and five touchdowns - numbers that speak to both his reliability and explosiveness in the 49ers' offense. Whether he’s chipping in as a blocker or stretching the field as a receiver, Kittle remains one of the most complete tight ends in the game.
Dane Belton - S, New York Giants
It’s been a rough ride in New York this season. The Giants are 2-10, and the organization has already hit the reset button, parting ways with their head coach and both coordinators. But amid the chaos, Dane Belton is quietly stacking solid performances.
The former Iowa safety had one of his best games of the year under the Monday Night Football lights, notching eight tackles (five solo), a sack, and a pass defended in the Giants’ 33-15 loss to the New England Patriots.
That sack was just the third of Belton’s career and his first of the season - a small but meaningful milestone in a year that’s tested his resilience. Across 13 games, he’s totaled 86 tackles and four passes defended, showing he’s continuing to develop into a reliable piece in the Giants’ secondary. On a team searching for answers, Belton’s effort and production stand out.
Final Thoughts
Iowa’s reputation for producing NFL-ready talent is well-earned, and Week 13 was just the latest example. Whether it’s a Pro Bowl-caliber tight end like Kittle, a franchise cornerstone like Wirfs, or a young safety grinding through a tough season like Belton, the Hawkeyes’ NFL alumni are making things happen on Sundays.
And if Week 13 is any indication, they’re not slowing down anytime soon.