New Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Gennings Dunker revealed his top NFL influences in a recent interview. All three favorites hail from his alma mater, the University of Iowa. The selection highlights his dedication to studying trench play.
Gennings Dunker, a recent draft pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers from Iowa, shared his favorite NFL offensive linemen with Athlon Sports’ Doug Farrar. “NFL, definitely Lindy,” Dunker said. “The summer before my fifth year, I spent the whole summer watching Scherff and Gallery watching their tape. Watching all their games just to see how they played and emulate their playstyle.” He was referring to Las Vegas Raiders center Tyler Linderbaum, along with former guards Brandon Scherff and Robert Gallery—all former Hawkeyes who combined for 309 starts and eight Pro Bowls in the NFL. Iowa’s tradition of developing strong trench players clearly shaped Dunker’s approach, mirroring philosophies used by professional teams. Linderbaum recently reset the center market with a three-year, $81 million contract with the Raiders after strong performances with the Baltimore Ravens. Scherff, selected fifth overall by the Washington Redskins in 2015, earned Pro Bowl honors and a first-team All-Pro nod in 2020 before retiring ahead of the 2025 season following time with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Gallery, a second-overall pick in 2004, transitioned successfully from tackle to guard and drew early comparisons to Hall of Famers like Jonathan Ogden. Dunker’s choice of Gallery, whose tape he studied despite the player’s career being two decades old, underscores his thorough preparation and respect for the game’s history.
