Iowa center Logan Jones (65) runs onto the field during a NCAA football game against Ohio State, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. 221022 Iowa Ohio St Fb 070 Jpg Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK

Iowa Hawkeyes' Unheralded Star Earns Shocking Recognition

Originally posted on Iowa Hawkeyes on SI
By Matthew Schmidt | Last updated Jan 27, 2025 7:13 PM ET

When you think of the 2024 Iowa Hawkeyes, two of the first players that will probably come to mind are running back Kaleb Johnson and linebacker Jay Higgins.

After all, both Johnson and Higgins were two of the best players in the country at their respective positions, and each earned major individual accolades at the season's conclusion.

Plus, Johnson and Higgins will hear their names called in the NFL Draft this April.

However, they were not the only major impact players for Iowa this past season. There was another, unheralded player who established himself as a star for the Hawkeyes.

That would be center Logan Jones.

While Johnson deserves a ton of the credit for his spectacular campaign, Jones should also get some shine for helping open up running lanes for the explosive halfback.

And apparently, Jones was so good in 2024 that Pro Football Focus had him graded as the best run-blocking center in the Power Four.

Logan Jones: 82.3 Run Block Grade in 2024

1st Among ALL Power Four Centers@HawkeyeFootball pic.twitter.com/Mtb9QlJL7M
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 26, 2025

Just think of all of the upper echelon schools in Power Four conferences, and now think of this: none of their centers were better at run blocking than Jones.

That's a pretty incredible feat, and luckily for Iowa, Jones has opted to shun the NFL Draft in order to return for his senior season with the Hawkeyes.

Next year, Jones will be blocking for running backs such as Kamari Moulton and Jaziun Patterson, both of whom showed flashes of brilliance for Iowa this past season.

With Jones leading the charge up front, you can bet that Iowa's rushing attack will once again be a force to be reckoned with in 2025.

This article first appeared on Iowa Hawkeyes on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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