Hawkeyes in the NFL: Week 8 Top Performers
We are back for another week of “Hawkeyes in the NFL” and all the sudden the NFL regular season is nearly halfway over. Coming into this week, 16 different former Hawkeyes have made an appearance on the weekly list. George Kittle leads the way with six appearances, while Tory Taylor (4) and Noah Fant (3) are the next ones in line. It was a strong week eight, so let’s take a look at who added to their tally for the season.
Honorable Mention Performances
LB Josey Jewell – 10 tkls, 1 TFL vs Denver
CB Cooper DeJean – 3 tkls, 1 TFL, 1 PD vs Cincinnati
DB Amani Hooker – 7 tkls vs Detroit
DE Chauncey Golston – 5 tkls vs San Francisco
1. San Francisco TE George Kittle
It’s been a heck of a run for George Kittle near the top of this weekly list, as this is his third straight week at number one and his fifth straight week in the top two. In the 49ers win over the Cowboys on Sunday night, Kittle caught six passes for a season-high 128 yards and one touchdown. Three of his receptions went for 20+ yards, including a 43-yard catch and run on the first drive of the third quarter.
On the year, Kittle has totaled 40 receptions for 503 yards and six touchdowns. He’s third amongst all tight ends in receptions, second in yards and fourth in yards per catch. His six touchdown receptions ranks second in the league behind Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase.
2. New York Giants RB Tyrone Tracy
Listen, I know some of you will not like seeing Tyrone Tracy on her because he transferred to Purdue. That being said, he did play for Iowa, and he had quite the game for the Giants on Monday night. Tracy rushed for 145 yards on 20 carries (7.3 ypc), including a 45-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter to keep the Giants in the game. It’s his third game of the season with 100+ scrimmage yards.
On the season, Tyrone has rushed for 376 yards on 73 carries (5.2 ypc), including two touchdowns and 18 first downs. He has also caught 16 passes for 113 yards and four first downs.
3. Detroit TE Sam LaPorta
Although the Lions are off to a 6-1 start this season, Sam LaPorta has not quite gotten the same looks as he did last season. He came up with a solid game in Detroit’s blowout win over Tennessee on Sunday. LaPorta caught a season-high six passes for 48 yards and a touchdown (which will come up again later). On the season, Sam has caught 20 passes for 272 yards, including two touchdowns and 14 first downs.
Top 10
- 1
World Series
Yankees fan rip ball from Mookie Betts' glove
- 2Hot
Bryce Underwood
Inside the NIL-fueled recruitment for 5-star LSU QB commit
- 3
West Virginia fires DC
Mountaineers part ways with defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley, per reports
- 4Trending
Kiffin calls out SEC
Ole miss coach tired of LSU always getting night games
- 5
Michigan vs. MSU fight
Big Ten will not punish Wolverines or Spartans following the end-of-game fight on Saturday.
4. Chicago P Tory Taylor
It’s Tory Taylor’s fifth appearance this season! The Bears lost to the Commanders in heartbreaking fashion on a hail mary, but Taylor did what he could to help on special teams. Tory punted seven times for 341 yards (48.7 AVG), including five punts inside the 20-yard line. Amongst his seven punts was a season-high 68-yard punt that pinned the Commanders at their own 12-yard line. On the season, Taylor has punted 33 times for 1,600 yards (48.5 AVG), including 15 punts inside the 20-yard line.
5. Detroit LB Jack Campbell
The second player of the week from the Detroit ‘Hawkeyes’, linebacker Jack Campbell had a good game on the defensive side of the ball. Campbell totaled a season-high 11 tackles in the win over the Titans, marking just his third career double digit tackle game. On the season, Campbell has totaled 49 tackles, four tackles for loss and one sack. Through seven games, Jack leads the Lions in tackles.
Play of the Week: Detroit TE Sam LaPorta
The Detroit Lions have gotten off to a phenomenal start this season, seemingly blowing out opponents every single week. They blasted the Titans on Sunday 52-14, and head coach Dan Campbell had some fun with the play calling. Leading by two scores in the second quarter, running back David Montgomery received a pitch and passed to Sam LaPorta for the trick play touchdown.
It ended up being one of two Iowa State to Iowa connections on the day with Purdy finding Kittle for touchdown later in the day.
