From D-Line to Dominance: Logan Jones Caps Breakout Season with Unanimous All-American Honors
IOWA CITY, Iowa - Logan Jones didn’t take the easy route. He didn’t start his college career as an offensive lineman, and he certainly didn’t rise to the top without a few bumps along the way.
But now, after years of hard work, position changes, and steady development, Jones has earned his place among the best to ever wear the black and gold for Iowa. On Thursday, he was named a unanimous first-team All-American, cementing his status as one of the elite centers in college football.
Jones’ journey is one that speaks to perseverance and belief - both in himself and from those around him. A former defensive lineman, Jones made the rare and challenging transition to the offensive side of the ball, eventually taking over at center - a position where Iowa has a proud tradition, thanks in part to players like Tyler Linderbaum, who blazed a similar trail.
“It is very similar, I’ve heard that a lot,” Jones said when asked about the parallels between his path and Linderbaum’s. “The transition from defensive line to O-line and just all the stuff, it’s pretty cool.
He’s a mentor, and somebody I can look up to... I know if I were to text him and have a question, he’d be able to answer it.”
That humility and work ethic have paid off in a big way.
Jones didn’t just step into the role - he owned it. As a team captain, he led a physical, cohesive offensive line that became the engine of Iowa’s offense. He started all 12 games this season - and has now started 50 games in his career - anchoring a unit that was named a finalist for the Joe Moore Award, which recognizes the nation’s top offensive line.
Along the way, Jones picked up plenty of hardware. He’s earned first-team All-American honors from all five major selectors - Walter Camp, AP, AFCA, The Sporting News, and the FWAA - making him a unanimous All-American, a rare and prestigious distinction. He also took home the 2025 Rimington Trophy, awarded to the top center in college football, and was a first-team All-Big Ten selection.
But awards only tell part of the story. The tape backs it up - and so do the numbers.
According to Pro Football Focus, Jones is the top-rated center in the country, and here’s the kicker: he wasn’t flagged for a single offensive holding penalty all season. That kind of discipline, paired with his technical skill and leadership, made him the heart of an Iowa offensive line that consistently controlled the line of scrimmage.
That dominance up front helped quarterback Mark Gronowski put together a historic season. With Jones leading the way, Gronowski set school records for rushing yards (491) and rushing touchdowns (15) by a quarterback - a testament to the push and protection provided by the men in the trenches.
The Hawkeyes’ ground game thrived under Jones’ leadership. Iowa out-rushed its opponents in nine games this season, including a 245-yard performance against Penn State and a 310-yard explosion in the opener against UAlbany. Overall, the offense topped 200 rushing yards in five games, and the line gave up just 16 sacks all season - a number any offensive coordinator would sign up for in a heartbeat.
One of Jones’ standout performances came against Minnesota, when Iowa rolled to a 41-3 win. That week, he was named the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week, a nod to just how disruptive - and dominant - he was in the trenches.
Jones wasn’t the only Hawkeye to earn national recognition. Kaden Wetjen, Iowa’s electric return specialist, also received first-team All-American honors, highlighting the impact of Iowa’s special teams unit throughout the year.
But make no mistake - this season belonged to Logan Jones. From a quiet start to a thunderous finish, he’s become the gold standard at center, a leader on and off the field, and a reminder that growth, grit, and belief can take you a long way in college football.