Iowa Is Honoring A Hawkeye Lineman Fans Will Never Forget

Celebrating a storied career, Brandon Scherff's journey from the gridiron to the ANF Wall of Honor exemplifies Iowa's legacy of excellence and determination.

Brandon Scherff’s place among Iowa football’s all-time greats just got another line on the resume.

The former Hawkeye offensive lineman has been named the 2026 ANF Wall of Honor recipient, Iowa football announced Sept. 2. Scherff becomes the 14th member of the Wall, a group that celebrates former Hawkeyes who reflect “the tenacity, work ethic and character of an Iowa farmer.”

That fit has always been part of Scherff’s story. The Denison, Iowa native spent time on his mother’s family farm growing up in Holstein, and he still shares farm life with his family.

Scherff’s Iowa career ran from 2011 through 2014, and he left as one of the most decorated offensive linemen in program history. He was a two-time first team All-Big Ten selection, won the Outland Trophy in 2014 as college football’s top interior lineman, and was named the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year that same season.

His success carried straight into the NFL. Scherff was taken in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins, now the Commanders, with the No. 5 overall pick.

He went on to make five Pro Bowls and earned NFL All-Pro honors in 2020. Scherff announced his retirement from football in August 2025, before being inducted into the Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame.

The recognition will come during Iowa’s game against Ohio State on Oct. 7.

“When you play at Iowa, you know you’re going to get the hardest workers, the most physical and selfless players and guys who will do anything to help the team,” Scherff said in the program’s announcement. “And that’s the same in the farming community, where they’re going to work hard and do whatever it takes to feed the country.”

ANF Wall of Honor inductees

Case Wiegmann, 2012

Jared DeVries, 2013

Bruce Nelson, 2014

Robert Gallery, 2015

Dallas Clark, 2016

Chad Greenway, 2017

Aaron Kampman, 2018

Matt Kroul, 2019

Marshal Yanda, 2021

Tony Moeaki, 2022

Bryan Bulaga, 2023

Brandon Myers, 2024

Micah Hyde, 2025

Brandon Scherff, 2026

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