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Top Iowa running back opts out of Citrus Bowl, declares for NFL Draft

photos -jpgby:Ashton Pollard•12/10/21•

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Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Iowa running back Tyler Goodson has announced his career with the Hawkeyes is officially over. The junior will not play in the Citrus Bowl against Kentucky and has declared for the 2022 NFL Draft.

“Tyler has been a valuable member of our program throughout his career, and we wish him nothing but success as he pursues his next phase in life and football,” Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said Friday. “Tyler enjoys the game of football. His passion and energy are evident on a daily basis, and we are appreciative of his many contributions to our program. It has been a pleasure having Tyler and his family as part of our program.”

Goodson has been Iowa’s leading rusher since he arrived on campus in 2019. He was the first true freshman to ever lead the Hawkeyes in rushing that season. This year, the junior posted 1,151 yards and six touchdowns. He also had 31 receptions for 247 yards and a receiving touchdown. 

In a relatively deep running back pool this season, most draft outlets have Goodson around the No. 10 spot at his position. Iowa has not had a running back drafted since 2009 when Shonn Greene was taken by the New York Jets in the third round.

The Hawkeyes close out their 2021 campaign against the Wildcats in the VRBO Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Day. The game kicks off at 1:00 p.m. ET on ABC, and Kentucky is a 3-point favorite is what is likely to be a defensive battle.

Linderbaum wins Rimington

For the first time in school history, an Iowa player won the Rimington Award for nation’s top center. On Thursday night, redshirt junior Tyler Linebaum took home the honors at ESPN’s College Football Awards Show in Atlanta.

The Iowa native was also a finalist for the Rimington in 2020, but Alabama’s Landon Dickerson took home the honors. This season, Linderbaum found his name as a finalist for the Outland Trophy, which goes to the country’s best interior lineman. Georgia nose tackle Jordan Davis ultimately won the award.

Unsurprisingly, Linderbaum won the award for the Big Ten’s top offensive lineman last week. He has not yet made a formal decision on the NFL Draft, but he is projected to go in the first round should he declare.