Iowa defensive lineman Aaron Graves (95) celebrates after a sack during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Albany, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Charlie Neibergall)

IOWA CITY — What the future holds for Aaron Graves remains up in the air.

The present, though, has definitely changed his life for the better.

Playing on Sundays someday is of course on the former Southeast Valley all-stater’s radar, and his final season in an Iowa Hawkeye uniform will set the stage for what happens next.

Graves landed on nearly every preseason watch and award list. The long-time Dayton resident is going through it all as a married man and a father-to-be.

Graves recently tied the knot with Aubrey Hahan, who played soccer at Iowa, and the two are expecting a son soon.

“Life has definitely changed, but I’m loving it,” Graves said. “We are expecting a baby boy in January.”

When Graves hit campus in Iowa City as a freshman, he had plenty of work to do to get where he wanted to be.

“My first three years, I would say I had a loose idea of how it was going to go,” Graves said. “My first goal was to make the coaches not be able to keep me (off the field). I wanted to be prepared for the gameplan and the playbook.

“I was lucky enough to get on the field (as a freshman), and it was a great blessing. Down the road, as playing time increased and responsibility increased, I tried to work to be as productive as I could be.”

Graves, who had a standout career at Southeast Valley, led the Jaguars to a state championship his senior year in 2021. He has seen the growth in his game and credits that to his work in the Hawkeye weight room.

“The strength and conditioning program at Iowa is the best or best in the country,” Graves said. “The way that we work in the weight room and conditioning in the summer is uncommon in college football and has helped me a lot.

“This was the first offseason that I was able to do everything workout-wise like I wanted since I was healthy. The way that we prepare and get our guys ready physically is unmatched.”

The ending has yet to be written for Graves’ college career, and the defensive lineman has plenty of goals still to come.

“I’m really excited (for the rest of the season),” Graves said. “Our defensive line and team is very close. I can’t put into words the way I feel about this team. We hang out and have fun, but when it’s time to play football, we’re hungry.”

Graves started all 13 games for head coach Kirk Ferentz a year ago. He made the Lombardi Award watch list, the Chuck Bednarik Award, and Bronko Nagurski list.

The Lombardi trophy is for the player who embodies the values and spirit of legendary head coach Vince Lombardi. The Bednarik and Nagurski awards are for the top defensive player in the nation.

Graves was also tabbed a 2025 preseason second team All-American by Phil Steele, and is a candidate for the Lott IMPACT Trophy.

“I’m definitely honored to be in contention for all of that, but I don’t pay attention to it,” Graves said. “I don’t think about that and try to help us. I just come out and play as hard as I can and I’ll be happy with the result in the end.”

Graves is off to a hot start for the Hawkeyes in his final season. He has four solo tackles with four assists and 2.5 tackles for loss, along with one sack.

Last year, Graves had 17 solo tackle and 16 assists to go along with eight tackles for loss and six sacks.

Graves landed a distinguished spot on the Iowa player council.

“The player council is a big honor, because you’re voted on by your peers within the team,” Graves said. “I definitely feel respected. It’s been great to be able to step into that leadership role.

“It shows how much my teammates trust me to put me in that position.”

Last year’s Iowa squad was the first Hawkeye group to welcome in opponents from the Pac-12.

“It was different week by week, especially traveling out to UCLA,” Graves said. “We need to continue to go out and execute and trust in the coaches.”

One that has remained constant for the Dayton native is his belief in Jesus Christ and his love for his family.

“We talk about this a lot. It’s a constant message,” Graves said. “As Christians, we can’t put all of our identity into football. Football is what we do, not who we are. I am a follower first of Jesus Christ, then comes my wife and family, and then football.

“If I keep that perspective, I can play a lot more freely. I’m not as afraid to make mistakes and can play my heart out. If I mess up, my identity is with Christ and I can live with the outcome. My faith has been a huge part of my mentality.”

Graves continues to feel the unwavering support of his family and friends back home as well.

“My parents, brothers and sister have been huge supporters,” Graves said. “Coming to the games and supporting me and hanging out in Iowa City. Being Hawkeye fans growing up and being at Kinninck Stadium all the time.

“I have been blessed and am grateful to have them.”

How strong is Graves’ drive to play professionally after the 2025 collegiate campaign?

“The NFL is my hope and dream,” Graves said. “I want to pursue it, but I’ll have a better idea at the end of the year. Then, we’ll see.”