Former Iowa Hawkeye Aaron Graves Balances Fatherhood and NFL Draft Prep

The All-Big Ten defensive standout is juggling preparing for the NFL with the joys and challenges of new parenthood.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 3:39am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a football player in motion, with their body and equipment broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes, conveying the raw energy and physicality of the sport.The complex juggling act of an NFL prospect balancing the demands of the draft with the joys of new fatherhood.Dayton Today

Aaron Graves, a former standout defensive player for the Iowa Hawkeyes, is facing a unique challenge as he prepares for the upcoming NFL draft. In addition to training and meeting with NFL teams, the small-town Iowa native is also navigating the new role of fatherhood, having welcomed his son Greyson just four months ago. Graves is determined to pursue his NFL dreams while also embracing the life-changing experience of parenthood.

Why it matters

Graves' story highlights the delicate balance that many elite athletes must strike as they transition from college to the professional ranks. The pressures of preparing for the NFL draft are compounded by the joys and responsibilities of starting a family. Graves' ability to manage these competing priorities could impact his draft stock and future professional opportunities.

The details

A dominant defensive player for the Hawkeyes, Graves recorded 37 tackles and 5 sacks as a senior. He is now meeting with NFL teams and training for the upcoming draft, all while caring for his 4-month-old son Greyson. Graves is determined to separate his football identity from his self-worth, recognizing that fatherhood has provided a new sense of purpose beyond the game.

  • Graves led his high school team to a state championship in Dayton, Iowa.
  • Graves played 4 seasons at the University of Iowa, emerging as a standout defensive player.
  • Graves' son Greyson was born 4 months ago, just as Graves began preparing for the NFL draft.

The players

Aaron Graves

A former defensive standout for the Iowa Hawkeyes who is now preparing for the NFL draft while also navigating the challenges of new fatherhood.

Greyson

Graves' 4-month-old son, who has provided a new sense of purpose and perspective for the NFL prospect.

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What they’re saying

“The thing that stays true through everything is like if you just work hard and you know, do the things that you've been taught my entire career, and especially reinforced here at Iowa, like I think things will work out in a way that God has planned out for me.”

— Aaron Graves, Former Iowa Hawkeye

“Becoming a dad where it's like, oh, there's something more important than me here. Like, like I'm, I'm doing this thing and I'm, I'm chasing my dreams and that's really important and all that. But, you know, just like my relationship with Christ, like that's, that's up here. Football is down here”

— Aaron Graves, Former Iowa Hawkeye

What’s next

Graves will continue meeting with NFL teams over the next two weeks leading up to the draft, hoping to hear his name called and secure a spot on an NFL roster.

The takeaway

Graves' story is a testament to the challenges and sacrifices elite athletes face as they transition from college to the professional ranks. His ability to balance the demands of preparing for the NFL draft while also embracing the joys and responsibilities of fatherhood could inspire others and provide a unique perspective on the human side of professional sports.