Former Iowa State QB Hunter Dekkers preparing for NFL Draft after after gambling probe ended NCAA career early

QB Hunter Dekkers, the center of a gambling investigation three seasons ago at Iowa State, will be looking to continue his playing career in the NFL.

Per ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Dekkers plans to participate in the Hula Bowl amidst interest in him regarding the 2025 NFL Draft. That comes after pro scouts took a look at him over this past season at Iowa Western Community College.

“Source: Former Iowa State quarterback Hunter Dekkers is planning to participate in the Hula Bowl this weekend,” Thamel tweeted on Monday.

“Nearly a dozen NFL scouts went through Council Bluffs to see Dekkers at Iowa Western this year,” added Thamel. “He’d profiled as a potential NFL prospect prior to missing the 2023 season amid the probe. Will be an intriguing pre-draft story to track.”

Dekkers spent three seasons with the Cyclones where he appeared in 19 games, including a dozen starts in his last year there in Ames. He was 327-500 (65.4%) when passing there for 3,355 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions.

However, on August 1st, 2023, Dekkers was charged with tampering in an investigation into gambling on sporting events, including football, at Iowa State. The investigation revealed that he used an account on DraftKings under his parent’s name in hiding his wagers. He, along with some of his teammates, later plead guilty to those charges of underage gambling the next month.

With that, Dekkers did not play for any program in 2023 before enrolling at Iowa Western for this fall. Over 13 games for the Reivers, Dekkers was 288-449 (64.1%) for 3,825 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. The team finished at 11-2 overall this season in NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association).

Dekkers’ career in the NCAA ended earlier than expected due to this off-field issue. Now, he’ll hope to keep playing at the next level with these reported looks into him by those in the National Football League.