Jack Campbell and Brock Purdy are the first former Iowa college standouts to land on the NFL’s Top 100 Players of 2026 list, giving the Hawkeyes and Cyclones a pair of early entries in the league’s player-voted rankings.
Campbell, now with the Detroit Lions, checked in at No. 88 after a huge 2025 season that put him firmly on the league’s radar. Purdy, the San Francisco 49ers quarterback and former Iowa State star, came in at No. 85 after returning to the list following an injury-hit 2025.
For Campbell, the recognition fits the season he put together. He led the Lions and finished second in the NFL with 176 tackles, played all but eight of Detroit’s 1,105 defensive snaps and set career highs with five sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He also became the first Lions linebacker to earn first-team All-Pro honors since Chris Spielman in 1991.
The praise around Campbell came fast in the NFL’s X video rollout. Former Iowa teammate Tristan Wirfs, now the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ left tackle, called him, "Jack's a freak," and added, "[He's] 6‑foot‑5, runs like a deer, hits like a train."
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Nakobe Dean also highlighted how much Campbell can do for a defense.
"He's a big, big guy," Dean said. "You can see it on the film; he uses his length and everything to his advantage."
Campbell, who turns 26 in August, has piled up more than 400 tackles without missing a game in his three-year NFL career. After that breakout year, he signed a four-year, $81 million contract in May with $51.5 million guaranteed. His $20.25 million salary, per OverTheCap, makes him the second-highest-paid player at his position, behind only the San Francisco 49ers’ Fred Warner at $21 million.
Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean, who played with Campbell at Iowa in 2021 and 2022, pointed to the linebacker’s preparation and command.
"He understands offenses really well. That's something I try to take from him, you know, his film study and what he puts into the game," DeJean said. "I knew he'd be a great player, and he'll be a great player for a long time."
Purdy’s return to the Top 100 comes after he missed the 2025 list while dealing with shoulder and elbow injuries. He had previously been ranked No. 28 in 2024 after throwing for 4,280 yards and 31 touchdowns and helping the 49ers reach Super Bowl 58.
Even with injuries limiting him again in 2025, Purdy still guided San Francisco to a 7-2 record in nine starts. He completed 69.4% of his passes for 2,167 yards, 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, while also adding 147 rushing yards and three scores on 33 carries.
His episode on the NFL’s ranking series opened with George Kittle and Kyle Juszczyk talking about the energy Purdy brings when he’s playing with confidence, along with his trademark touchdown celebration, " The Dougie."
"Just having Brock's swagger - that's a small example of the type of energy he brings to our team," Juszczyk said. "He has such a quiet confidence about him"
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby said Purdy has moved beyond the idea that he is only a system quarterback.
"He's one of the better young quarterbacks in the league, man," Crosby said. "He's talented. You see that with how great that offense is able to operate."
The 49ers open the 2026 regular season on Sept. 10 in Melbourne, Australia, against the Los Angeles Rams.
The rankings released so far as of Monday, July 6, also include Cameron Jordan at No. 100, Quenton Nelson at No.
99, Bryce Young at No. 98, Ernest Jones IV at No.
97, Travis Etienne Jr. at No. 96, Demario Davis at No.
95, Creed Humphrey at No. 94, Carson Schwesinger at No.
93, Azeez Al-Shaair at No. 92, Montez Sweat at No.
91, Derrick Brown at No. 90, Kyren Williams at No.
89, Tetairoa McMillan at No. 87, Tuli Tuipulotu at No.
86, Byron Young at No. 84, Jeffery Simmons at No.
83, Jalen Ramsey at No. 82, Bobby Wagner at No.
81, A.J. Brown at No. 80 and Travis Kelce at No.
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