Week 12 of the 2025 NFL season is in the books, and several former Iowa football players had huge hands in their teams’ performances.
The collection of former Hawkeyes in the NFL continues to grow, with several more being added to rosters this year after many were active last season. While high-end names like Cooper DeJean, George Kittle and Tristan Wirfs dominate the alumni list, several other names Iowa fans will recognize are making significant impacts at the pro level too.
With that, here are three ex-Hawkeyes who stood out in Week 11 of the NFL season.
George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers TE
Kittle is back rolling and looking like his typical self. He proved that again in the San Francisco 49ers’ 20-9 win over the Carolina Panthers on Monday Night Football.
The former Iowa tight end hauled in six catches for a team-high 78 yards on 10 targets. Kittle and quarterback Brock Purdy have long put their Cy-Hawk differences away to create a potent duo capable of penetrating any defense.
Kittle and the 49ers will look to make it three wins in row at Cleveland in Week 13.
Geno Stone, Cincinnati Bengals S
It’s been a season to forget in Cincinnati as the Bengals have dropped eight of nine since starting 2-0. More futility arrived in Week 12 with a 26-20 home loss to the New England Patriots, but that didn’t stop Stone from making a splash play.
The former Iowa defensive back picked off a Drake Maye pass and returned it 32 yards for a first-quarter TD that handed the Bengals a 10-0 advantage. It was Stone’s second interception of the season and second pick-six of his career.
Dane Belton, New York Giants S
In the Giants’ 34-27 overtime loss to the Detroit Lions, both teams had former Hawkeyes as their leading tacklers. Jack Campbell piled up 11 tackles for the Lions, while Belton delivered nine tackles with one TFL and a pass defended.
Belton’s performance gave him seven-plus tackles in six of his last seven games. He and the Giants will try to end a six-game losing streak in Week 13 at New England.
Dargan Southard is a sports trending reporter and covers Iowa athletics for the Des Moines Register and HawkCentral.com. Email him at msouthard@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 3 former Iowa football players who stood out in Week 12 of NFL season
Reporting by Dargan Southard, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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