IOWA CITY, Iowa – Former University of Iowa defensive lineman Matt Kroul will serve as honorary captain Friday when the Hawkeyes host No. 14 Nebraska (11:07 a.m., ABC) in the second Hy-Vee Heroes Game.
Kroul, a native of Mount Vernon, Iowa, was a four-year letterman for the Hawkeyes from 2005-08. He earned second-team All-Big Ten honors as a senior in 2008, and closed his career in Iowa’s 31-10 win over South Carolina in the 2009 Outback Bowl. He was honorable mention All-Big Ten as a junior, and competed in three bowl games.
Kroul holds the Iowa record for consecutive starts, as he was in the starting lineup for all 50 games throughout his career. His streak ranked third-longest in the nation at the time. Kroul recorded 238 career tackles and was named a permanent team captain following his senior season.
Kroul was also a standout representative of the Hawkeye program off the field. As a senior he was a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation’s Draddy Trophy, one of the highest forms of recognition for both on and off the field accomplishments. Kroul earned academic All-Big Ten recognition four straight years and was a member of Iowa’s Leadership Group for four seasons.
As a senior, Kroul earned the Hayden Fry Award for defense, the Iron Hawk Award, and the Win During the Week Award, while also being named Iowa’s recipient of the Big Ten Conference Sportsmanship Award.
Kroul signed an NFL free agent contract with the New York Jets following the 2009 NFL draft, and has played in the NFL as both a defensive and offensive lineman.
Kroul will accompany the Iowa captains to midfield for Friday’s pregame coin toss. He will also be with the Hawkeyes in the locker room before and after the game, and on the sideline during the contest.
