The NFL’s 2025 Pro Bowl rosters are officially out, and for Iowa football fans, there's plenty to cheer about. Five former Hawkeyes earned spots in this year’s showcase, a testament not just to the program’s reputation for developing NFL-ready talent, but to the individual dominance these players have shown across the league this season.
Let’s break down how each of these former Iowa standouts earned their way into the league’s all-star spotlight.
Cooper DeJean - Philadelphia Eagles
This one’s special. Not just because it’s Cooper DeJean’s first Pro Bowl nod, but because it comes in just his second NFL season - and before his 23rd birthday, which falls six days after the Pro Bowl Games kick off.
DeJean has taken a major leap in Year 2. After flashing promise as a rookie, he’s become a cornerstone of the Eagles’ secondary, racking up 84 total tackles, 16 pass deflections, two interceptions, and a forced fumble.
That tackle total? It’s not just second on the Eagles - it’s second among all NFL cornerbacks, trailing only Houston’s Kamari Lassiter.
DeJean’s physicality, instincts, and ability to consistently disrupt plays have made him one of the most exciting young defensive backs in the game. He’s not just putting up numbers - he’s changing games.
Jack Campbell - Detroit Lions
Another first-time Pro Bowler, and another Hawkeye making a huge impact on defense.
Jack Campbell has been the heartbeat of the Lions’ defense this season. The third-year linebacker leads Detroit with 159 tackles - third-most in the entire NFL - and has added five sacks, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. He’s missed just eight of the team’s 996 defensive snaps, a testament to both his durability and his value.
Campbell plays with a relentless motor and an old-school edge, but his athleticism and range have made him a modern-day linebacker prototype. He’s the kind of player who always seems to be around the football - and this season, he’s turned that into production at a Pro Bowl level.
George Kittle - San Francisco 49ers
Even when injuries slow him down, George Kittle still finds a way to shine.
Despite missing time with lower-body injuries, Kittle has made the most of his 10 games this season. He’s hauled in 52 catches for 599 yards and seven touchdowns - numbers that remind us why he’s still one of the most dangerous tight ends in the league when healthy.
This marks Kittle’s seventh Pro Bowl selection, and at 32 years old, he continues to show why he’s a matchup nightmare. Whether he’s stretching the field, picking up yards after the catch, or laying down punishing blocks in the run game, Kittle remains one of the most complete tight ends in football.
Tristan Wirfs - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Five years in the league. Five Pro Bowl selections. That’s the kind of consistency and excellence Tristan Wirfs brings to the Bucs’ offensive line.
In 11 games this season, Wirfs has posted a 95.2% pass block win rate and allowed just three sacks. Those numbers speak to his dominance, but it’s the way he anchors the line - neutralizing elite edge rushers and keeping his quarterback upright - that earns him this kind of respect year after year.
Drafted 13th overall in 2020, Wirfs has lived up to every bit of the hype. He’s not just one of the best tackles in the NFC - he’s one of the best in the game, period.
Tyler Linderbaum - Baltimore Ravens
Another Hawkeye, another offensive line star.
Tyler Linderbaum has now made three straight Pro Bowls, and it’s not hard to see why. The Ravens’ fourth-year center has been the engine of one of the league’s most physical offenses, helping pave the way for Derrick Henry’s 1,000-yard season and Lamar Jackson’s 20-touchdown campaign.
Linderbaum’s ability to control the line of scrimmage, make pre-snap reads, and execute in both the run and pass game has made him invaluable to Baltimore’s success. Centers don’t always get the spotlight, but Linderbaum’s play demands attention - and respect.
No Cyclones This Year
While Iowa is well-represented, the same can’t be said for Iowa State this time around. No former Cyclones made the 2025 Pro Bowl roster. The last to do so was Brock Purdy, who earned a Pro Bowl start in 2024 after a breakout season with the 49ers.
When and Where to Watch the 2025 Pro Bowl Games
This year’s Pro Bowl Games will take place on Feb. 3 in the San Francisco Bay Area, just down the road from Levi’s Stadium - the site of this season’s Super Bowl.
The NFL’s revamped format will once again feature a non-contact flag football game, along with a slate of skills competitions that highlight the athleticism and personality of the league’s best.
Coverage begins at 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, giving fans a front-row seat to the league’s most entertaining all-star weekend.
Bottom Line: Five former Hawkeyes are heading to the Pro Bowl - two rising stars making their debut and three veterans continuing their run of excellence. It’s a proud moment for Iowa football, and a reminder that the black and gold pipeline to the NFL is alive and thriving.