Third-Round Pick Gennings Dunker a Baler and Steelers Think Baller
The Pittsburgh Steelers snag Iowa guard Gennings Dunker, a hay bale-tossing farm legend, in the third round of the NFL Draft.
Gennings Dunker should feel at home this summer in his first visit to the pastoral setting of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa. The third of three players selected by the Steelers on Friday night in the third round of the NFL Draft, the guard became a farm legend while playing at Iowa.
Dunker is a multi-time winner of the Solon Beef Days Hay Bale Toss. Last summer, he threw a 50-pound bale of hay 14 feet, six inches. Pittsburgh isn't expecting Dunker to win any blue ribbons at the county fair.
However, they believe the 6-foot-5, 319-pounder can bolster the interior of the offensive line. Dunker played a big part in Iowa winning the Joe Moore Award last season for having the nation’s top offensive line. He started 13 games and allowed just two sacks in 316 pass block snaps, then played in the Senior Bowl, where he impressed Steelers offensive line coach James Campen.
"You always look for guys that are first in line doing things that are challenging or different, like he did at the Senior Bowl,” Campen said. “He was first in line to go and do new drills and things like that. So, I'm sure there are some leadership qualities there, too.