Tyler Linderbaum never considered leaving for NFL
By Tyler Devine
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum met the requirements to enter the 2021 NFL Draft – he was eligible and good enough.
But the redshirt junior Solon native said Tuesday he never even considered forgoing his final two years of eligibility because he simply was not ready.
“There was not much consideration,” Linderbaum said. “I knew I wanted to come back for sure for another year and possibly two. I wasn’t ready to leave Iowa while I was still wanting to compete with my buddies, and there’s a lot more to do and a lot more to improve on. So yeah, not much discussion with my family and coaches. I was coming back for sure.”
Now, the 6-foot-3, 289-pound Linderbaum returns as arguably the nation’s top center and has started every game over the last two seasons.
Linderbaum was a finalist for the Rimington Trophy last season and was a second-team AP All-American after playing nearly every offensive down for the Hawkeyes.
Senior guard Kyler Schott described Linderbaum as one of the most competitive people he has ever been around.
“Whether it’s a board game or it’s football, he doesn’t want to lose,” Schott said. “He hates losing. I mean, I’m kind of like that, but he’s just on another level. So, he comes in every day, and he wants to get better because he doesn’t want to lose in anything.”
Sure, Linderbaum felt like he could improve as a football player, but he also wanted to finish his education.
Plus, why leave behind the people and the state you love if you don’t absolutely have to?
“I enjoy being around family and friends,” Linderbaum said. “But really, the decision came down to me wanting to be here longer and get my education, get my degree. I’m still young, so I’ve got a lot more work to do. I’ve been growing up a Hawk fan. It’s a tough place to leave.”