Meet the hay bale toss champion drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers

Dunker won back-to-back hay bale tossing championships at Iowa’s Solon Beef Days in 2022 and 2023. He set the event record by tossing a hay pound weighing more than 50 pounds over a 14’6 bar.

USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

April 27, 2026

Gennings Dunker (Photo: USA Today Network)

Gennings Dunker is known in Iowa for more than just football.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ newest offensive guard also owns two individual titles in hay bale tossing.

Dunker won back-to-back hay bale tossing championships at Iowa’s Solon Beef Days in 2022 and 2023. He set the event record by tossing a hay pound weighing more than 50 pounds over a 14’6 bar.

Drafting an athlete

Dunker grew up in Lena, Illinois and competed in football, wrestling and track at Lena-Winslow High School. He helped the Panthers to state championships in football as a freshman and junior.

Dunker then attended the University of Iowa, where he started 47 games in four seasons. He twice earned All-Big 10 honors and was part of the 2025 Joe Moore Award-winning group for the nation’s best offensive line.

Dunker stands 6’5 and weighs 319 pounds. He was introduced to wrestling and strength training by his father, a competitive bodybuilder.

Dunker was Pittsburgh’s fourth selection on April 24 and the 96th overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft.

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