IOWA CITY — Before getting official word that he would be granted another season of college eligibility, there was a waiting period for Michael Myslinski.
Based on conversations he had, the Iowa football offensive lineman was confident the extra year would be granted. But it wasn’t certain.
Injuries had robbed Myslinski of time on the field. There had been times when he thought they might force him to retire.
The mental strength Myslinski developed during his career helped him navigate the waiting period he endured to see if another season of eligibility was approved.
“I’ve learned a lot through my career to only control what you can control,” Myslinski said. “I’ve tried to just focus on what I can do to improve every day and try and not to let that bother me. And also, I had a feeling it was going to go through. I had really confident talks with (head coach Kirk Ferentz) and the training room about it looks like it’s going to go through. So I just kind of stayed positive and tried to not really think about it and keep doing what I got to do.”
Eventually, Myslinski officially got good news.
“Honestly, a sigh of relief,” Myslinski said of his emotions. “Now I can just keep going, do what I’m doing, no worries in the world and just have a good year. Go play and take advantage of this last opportunity that I have in front of me.”
Myslinski, who has persevered through hardships during his Hawkeye career, is now entering his sixth season in Iowa City.
The product of Jacksonville, Florida, was part of Iowa’s 2021 recruiting class, a group that featured Cooper DeJean, Connor Colby and Beau Stephens. All three of those have now moved on to the professional ranks — with DeJean already playing two seasons in the NFL.
Myslinski has been on a different path.
He was unable to stay healthy, undergoing multiple surgeries and facing a long road of rehab.
“A lot of times where I possibly thought I was going to have to retire,” Myslinski said. “It took hours away from the building. I would have to do rehab three, four times a day. I’d wake up at 4 a.m. to do rehab before my 6 a.m. It was the hardest time of my life. It definitely was. I’d venture to say it helped me out a lot as a man. It helped me find my faith in God, which is the most important thing. If it wasn’t for that trial, I don’t think I would’ve found it. So, yeah, it was extremely hard. But I look at it now, and I’m like, it was definitely meant to happen. It’s made me a better person, better player.”
So what kept him going during those dark times?
“Support,” Myslinski said. “Support system. Faith. But I always believed in myself. I think that was the biggest thing. I’m my biggest critic, but I’m also my biggest supporter. I have my mom, my dad willing to hear me every day. I’ve mentioned it before, my brother going through cancer and handling it like a boss. Just the inspiration with them. I think it’s just also my family thing. Everyone in my family has played sports at some level. Raised tough and, yeah, I don’t know. I don’t like to give up.”
That support also came from within the program.
“They always supported me from the start, no matter where I was in the process,” Myslinski said. “If they didn’t know I was going to play again or not, they still supported me. I just also never gave up on myself and I had a really good support staff. That’s where it really came from — the really good support system I have.”
Myslinski’s four appearances in 2024 doubled to eight in 2025, easily the highest single-season total of his career. Myslinski served as a key reserve on an offensive line that won the Joe Moore Award last season.
Three starters from that unit have moved on to the NFL — Logan Jones, Gennings Dunker and Beau Stephens, opening opportunities for others to take on larger roles.
Myslinski is a candidate to do that.
Iowa has big shoes to fill with the departure of Jones, who won the 2025 Rimington Trophy, awarded to the most outstanding center in Division I College Football. During spring practice ahead of the 2026 season, Myslinski got reps at right guard and center. Kade Pieper, who started all 13 games at right guard last season, is another option to play center in 2026.
Despite missing some time during the spring with what he described as a “little football nick,” Myslinski is now a full participant in the offseason training program.
Myslinski, who now says, “I’ve never been in better shape in my life,” has the chance to be a legitimate factor on Iowa’s offensive line in 2026.
It’s safe to say he has waited long enough.
“To have one last shot is everything,” Myslinski said. “I’ve worked my tail off to get in the spot that I am now. So many different people around here have helped me get to this position. And now I just need to keep doing what I’m doing, be consistent every day and just go have fun.”
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This article originally appeared on Hawk Central: Iowa football OL Michael Myslinski overcomes difficulties during career
Reporting by Tyler Tachman, Des Moines Register / Hawk Central
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By Tyler Tachman, Des Moines Register | USA TODAY Network
