AP Photo: Former Southeast Valley all-stater Aaron Graves celebrates with his Iowa Hawkeye teammates after a fumble recovery.

IOWA CITY — If you saw Aaron Graves in a Southeast Valley or Hawkeye uniform on the field, it would have crossed your mind that he could someday be playing on Sundays.

Now, with NFL Draft day upon us, there is a chance the former Jaguar and Iowa Hawkeye defensive lineman’s name will be called.

The 2026 Draft will begin on Thursday in Pittsburgh for the first round. Rounds two and three will be on Friday; rounds four through seven will finish up Saturday.

The 6-foot-5, 295-pound lineman is project as a mid-to-late Day 3 pick – in either the sixth or seventh round.

Draft evaluators view him as a high-motor, rotational interior defender, with solid run-stopping ability but limited arm length.

The day that Graves has been preparing for since finishing in the ReliaQuest Bowl, as he has been training and preparing.

“My wife (Aubrey) and I went to Texas to train for Pro Day right after the bowl game in mid-March,” Graves said. “I had a Pro Day and it went well. Recently, I have been Pro Day training and getting back to normal training and football shape in Iowa City with the staff.”

When Graves started playing football in elementary school, he quickly found the sport he loved – one that was a perfect fit.

It has been a busy year for the Jaguar graduate and his wife, Aubrey. The two welcomed their first son, Grayson Graves, on Thanksgiving Day.

“It’s a pretty crazy time right now in my life,” Graves said. “I finished my Hawkeye career and Aubrey and I had Grayson. Playing in the NFL would be a dream come true. When I was in fifth grade, I played football and thought that this would be the sport for me.

“Now all of it could come to fruition. Whether I get drafted or go undrafted, there is a lot of uncertainty. I’ve been talking to a lot of teams.”

For Graves, playing on Sundays is the hope. Where? It doesn’t really matter to him.

“Obviously I just want to be drafted and get the chance to prove myself,” Graves said. “I just want to put the pads on at the top level and get the opportunity to show what I can do.

“The bottom line is I want to play anywhere.”

NFL franchises are thinking of him as an interior defensive lineman and maybe more of a nose tackle, or a three-tech guy, Graves stated.

Graves, who has leaned on his faith and his family through his career, just wants to be blessed with a chance.

“It’s in God’s hands now,” Graves said. “That is the perspective that I keep. It’s a crazy time, taking the next step into pro football, coming out of Dayton.

“I’m keeping God at the center of everything. He gave me the ability to play football and blessed me. Now I can glorify Him wherever I land.”

On draft day, Graves will gather with family and friends in Iowa City and hope that he receives the call that he’s been working toward for well over a decade.