No. 15 Iowa (10-3) is preparing for its final game of the 2021 season in the 2022 VRBO Citrus Bowl vs. No. 22 Kentucky (9-3). This will be a matchup that will require as much talent as possible on both sides of the ball.

Iowa can breathe a sigh of relief knowing its star center Tyler Linderbaum will be playing in the bowl game. During the bowl game teleconference, Linderbaum was asked by Iowa City Press-Citizen’s Chad Leistikow if he would be playing against the Wildcats. Linderbaum emphatically revealed he will play against Kentucky, even labeling the question as “dumb” with a chuckle.


He went on further to talk about the matchup against Kentucky.

“I remember watching a few games. If we’re waiting in the hotel, watching some clips of them,” said Linderbaum. “Obviously, it’s a great team. I know they’ve got some good defensive players. Obviously, I haven’t watched enough to tell you about their whole scheme and whatnot. Obviously, they’re in the SEC. I think they maybe finished second behind Georgia in their [division], which is pretty impressive.

“We’re going to have to be ready to go. It’s going to be a great team, great competition, and we’re going to be excited for the opportunity.”

Linderbaum is listed as one of the top prospects for the 2022 NFL Draft by many media outlets. Every year, there are several prospects for the NFL Draft that do not participate in their team’s bowl game to potentially save themselves from injuries.

However, that will not be the case for Linderbaum. Although Linderbaum has not declared for the 2022 NFL Draft, there is a likely chance that he will play his final game for Iowa in the Citrus Bowl.