By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com
College Football: Three Hawkeyes Named to Rotary Lombardi Watch List
University of Iowa junior center Tyler Linderbaum, senior offensive lineman Kyler Schott, and senior defensive end Zach VanValkenburg were named to the 2021 Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List.
The award goes annually to the college football offensive or defensive lineman, who in addition to outstanding performance and ability, best exemplifies the character and discipline of NFL Hall of Fame Head Coach Vince Lombardi.
Linderbaum was a finalist for the Rimington Trophy a year ago and earned first-team All-America honors from The Athletic and Pro Football Focus.
He was a second-team All-America honoree by the Associated Press, Phil Steele, and the Walter Camp Foundation.
He was a first-team All-Big Ten selection by league media.
Schott was named honorable mention All-Big Ten by league coaches and media last year.
He saw action in five games with one start at left guard and one start at right guard.
Schott joined the program as a walk-on but earned a scholarship in 2020.
VanValkenburg returns for his third season with the Hawkeyes after joining the program as a grad transfer.
He was second-team All-Big Ten a year ago by league coaches and media. VanValkenburg led the nation with four fumble recoveries last season.
He recorded 30 total tackles, including 8.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.
The Hawkeyes open the 2021 season Sept. 4, hosting Indiana.
College Football: Former Mount Pleasant Youth Mitchell Ready to Explode at UND:
Former Mount Pleasant youth standout Creighton Mitchell, who was coached by Kent Bennett, is ready to burst onto the scene in his second year at the University of North Dakota.
Mitchell played his prep ball at West Des Moines Valley after dominating the middle school ranks in Mount Pleasant.
The 5-8 redshirt freshman appeared in two games last year and made his collegiate debut in the season opener against No. 24 Southern Illinois.
He carried the ball six times for 23 yards in the team’s win that day over the Salukis.
Mitchell scored his first-collegiate touchdown in an FCS playoff win over No. 12 Missouri State, toting the ball times for 37 yards.
North Dakota opens their year September 4th on the road against Idaho State.
NFL: Urbandale Native Continues Impressing in Green Bay:
Former Iowa State standout Allen Lazard is continuing to turn heads in Green Bay.
The Urbandale native begins is third full season with the Packers after hauling in 33 passes, including three touchdowns in 2020.
It was a season in which he was limited to 10 games due to groin surgery.
The Packers have lost in the NFC Championship game in each of the last two seasons but Lazard likes their chances now that MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers has returned to take part in training camp.
Lazard isn’t the only member of the Hawkeye State suiting up in green and gold this year.
Former West Des Moines Valley Tiger tight end Dominque Dafney is back for his second season after playing collegiately at Indiana State.