Former Iowa football star talks Kade Pieper's OL position switch

The Iowa football program has churned out NFL centers at an elite clip over the past decade.

From James Daniels to Tyler Linderbaum, and now Logan Jones, the Hawkeyes' development at the center position has been nothing short of brilliant. The offensive line has always been important to Kirk Ferentz, and all of that starts on the interior. Whether it's calling out protections and shifts or making accurate snaps consistently, a lot rides on the center doing his job really well.

With Jones now off to the NFL, Iowa will be breaking in a new center for the first time in years. But in a rare situation, the Hawkeyes' new center already has a ton of experience along the offensive line. Kade Pieper is reportedly shifting from right guard to center next season to replace Jones.

The 6-foot-4, 290-pound junior had a lot of NFL draft buzz this offseason, but decided to return to school and move to center. He's played in 24 games as a Hawkeye, helping a unit that won the Joe Moore Award in 2025. With him shifting over to center in 2026, there are some questions about how the transition will go for Pieper—a former teammate of his shared his confidence that the move would work out.

Jones spoke with reporters at the NFL's Scouting Combine and was asked about Pieper's transition to the center position.

Iowa center Logan Jones on what he thinks of Kade Pieper, who could replace him at center. pic.twitter.com/Jf962soRFO

— Scott Dochterman (@ScottDochterman) February 28, 2026

"When he came into the program as a very underrecruited guy, I remember working with him... and he didn't look very good," Jones said. "He didn't the have the fundamentals or anything. He threw up that day as well from the drills we were doing. The progress he's made has been absolutely crazy and the way he works every single day."

"We're always working together after practice, and he's always asking me questions. The talent is there... wherever he's at, he's going to be very successful just because of who he is and the way he operates. Pieps is the best, I'm very excited for him."

Jones' ringing endorsement of Pieper's talent and work ethic should have Iowa fans ecstatic to see what the former right guard can do in 2026. The Hawkeyes will look to run back their Joe Moore Award in 2026, and Pieper will be a huge part of that journey.

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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Former Iowa football star talks Kade Pieper's OL position switch