AMES — Iowa State football’s Domonique Orange was selected in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. Orange was the 82nd overall pick this year.
For the first time since the NFL Draft switched to the modern seven-round format in 1994, Iowa State has now had at least one player selected for six straight years. It’s the first instance of the Cyclones getting players drafted for six consecutive years since a seven-year streak from 1981-87, back when the NFL used a 12-round format.
Orange is getting an opportunity to realize his NFL dreams. Before his senior year, “Big Citrus” resisted transfer portal temptation and turned down the possibility of more lucrative NIL offers elsewhere in order to finish out his career at Iowa State. He had previously been on NFL Draft radars, but he wanted to showcase more of his game and improve his stock with one final season as a Cyclone.
After earning All-Big 12 honorable mention as a sophomore and junior, Orange was named third-team All-Big 12 as a senior. A disruptive player and the anchor of the Cyclones defensive line, here is a look at how the 6-foot-4, 325-pound defensive tackle projects at the next level.
What Domonique Orange brings to the Vikings
Orange took major strides with his strength and conditioning in order to play more snaps as a senior and show that he could be an every-down defensive tackle.He handled an increased workload in 2025, playing 40 or more defensive snaps in nine of the Cyclones’ 12 games, including a season-high 62 against TCU, after reaching the mark only once during the 2024 campaign.As the Cyclones’ full-time starter in all 12 games, he recorded 18 tackles, including 0.5 for loss, with four quarterback hurries and a pass breakup.His best showing came against the Rimington Trophy award-winner, Iowa center Logan Jones. In the win over the Hawkeyes, Orange tallied a season-high six tackles. While his size, strength and explosiveness didn’t always culminate in stat sheet production, it’s worth noting that Orange was mostly used as a block-eater in Jon Heacock’s 3-3-5 defense. He commanded plenty of attention from opposing offensive lines, garnering frequent double teams and an occasional triple team here and there. Despite the added focus from opponents, Orange was often able to hold the line and clog the interior. Sometimes, a double or triple team his way opened the lane for a teammate or a linebacker to swoop in for the stop.
Orange will shine as a run stopper and gap clogger at the next level. There are some question marks surrounding his limited arsenal of pass-rush moves or his ability to generate pressure against opposing quarterbacks, but his explosiveness, sturdiness, strength, ability to be a factor on run plays and quick reaction will make him an appealing defensive tackle in the NFL.
Although he was invited to the Senior Bowl and he showed up for interviews at the NFL Combine, Orange was unable to compete in either event due to a quadriceps injury that occurred early in the pre-draft process. He later did get evaluated at a private pro day for various NFL teams.
Domonique Orange scouting report
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com wrote the following evaluation of Orange:
“Orange is a sturdy nose tackle capable of muddying the middle of the field with his first-step quickness and take-on power. His reaction time makes it hard to reach-block him in zone and he has the anchor to play landlord over the A-gaps against double-teams. He gets bounced around on contact but is excellent in recovery and winning the final phase of the rep. Orange is a non-factor as a pass rusher, but his value versus the run should attract teams.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Domonique Orange career stats
Domonique Orange height and weight
At the NFL combine, Orange was measured at 6-foot-2⅜ and 322 pounds.
Domonique Orange high school
A native of Kansas City, Orange attended North Kansas City High School.
Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at erapay@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @erapay5.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Vikings pick Iowa State DT Domonique Orange in NFL Draft third round
Reporting by Eugene Rapay, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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