Iowa Left Tackle Trevor Lauck Came on Strong

It wasn’t always pretty for Iowa left tackle Trevor Lauck, but it was often effective.

For the first nine games of the season, Lauck alternated with fellow Hawkeyes’ left tackle Jack Dotzler. Every third series or so, Dotzler would get the reps.

That all ended in the tenth game against USC.

That’s when Lauck took over full-time at left tackle.

Why did Dotzler get reps in the first place?

Per 247Sports, the two had a “heated competition” for the position, and from watching Lauck and Dotzler in every rep they both played in during the 2025 season, I get it. There wasn’t a big drop-off when Dotzler was in there. (But just me saying that concedes there was a slight drop-off).

Interesting enough⎯

Once Lauck took over full time, it did something to him. He played even better.

Lauck produced his best tape of the season in those final four games.

I’m not trying to take anything away from his performance the rest of the season, but there’s no question: he played with even more confidence and aggression in those final four games.

He stepped into the role, and he didn’t look back.

Smart football player

That’s one of my biggest takeaways from studying Lauck’s film. He’s got a high football IQ, and it showed in both his pass and run blocking.

Lauck handled just about everything defenses could throw at him while he was protecting his quarterback:

• Spin and swim pass rush moves
• “X” stunts (when two defensive linemen cross each other in an attempt to confuse offensive linemen)
• Outside loop stunts (when an interior defensive lineman goes from inside out and takes on the offensive tackle instead of an interior offensive lineman)
• Blitzing linebackers and defensive backs

You name it⎯

Lauck handled it (99% of the time).

When run blocking, he tended to stay off the ground and presented himself as a low injury risk. He understands the art of leverage.

What are some other standout traits?

• Did a nice job of mirroring pass rushers
• Shows burst of speed out in space

Hold up…

Burst of speed?

You mean an offensive tackle has burst?

Not usually, but this one does.

It came out a couple of times when Lauck was out in space.

The only other time I’ve seen this is when I put a first-round grade on Oklahoma offensive tackle Anton Harrison ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft (Jaguars’ first-round pick No. 27).

Any BIG negatives?

Yeah⎯

One in particular.

Lauck has a tendency to become too lax, especially when run blocking. He didn’t show that as much in the final four games, but it consistently showed up to one degree or another throughout the season.

Da Bears

It was going through my mind while watching Lauck play…

“Bears.”

No question, left tackle is a position of need, and based on his 2025 film, he’d be a perfect fit there. Old school enough that he could’ve played there back in the 80s, and new school enough to fit into this team.

Lauck has some of that Jimbo Covert (left tackle) and Tom Thayer (guard) feel to him. They were two standout offensive linemen for Chicago back in the day.

#59 Trevor Lauck 6-foot-5, 314 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2026 Fall Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by NFL Mock Draft Database to be a First-Round prospect as of November 1, 2026

2025 game film evaluated: Albany, Iowa State, UMASS, Rutgers, Indiana, Wisconsin, Penn State, Minnesota, Oregon, USC, Michigan State, Nebraska, and Vanderbilt (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Pro Football Focus (2025): 0 sacks and 6 pressures allowed

2027 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Good upper strength. Wide. Tough. Physical. Decent arm length. Flashed fast first step in pass pro. Above-average lateral football speed. Solid base. Impressive hand-to-hand combat. Strong and punchy hands out in front. Fully commits once the pass rusher commits to his path. Good in double teams. Helps out. Average anchor. Excellent at pulling run blocks. Able to wall off inside. Capable of getting to the second level and even further downfield.

What to watch for during the 2026 college football season

1. Fluctuating effort?

2. How does his run blocking look?

3. Holding up against bull rushes?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as appearing as a guest on ESPN Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and Fearless with Jason Whitlock. Featured in USA Today. For more information, visit whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.