Iowa Tackle's Mullet and Mustache Make Him NFL Draft Star

A 6-foot-5 offensive tackle ordering family-sized cheese curds just became one of the most beloved prospects in this year's NFL draft, and his story proves being yourself pays off.

Gennings Dunker walked into his favorite Culver's restaurant in Iowa City last week and got stopped by fans wanting photos. A stranger in a Cubs hat approached with a simple message: "I don't know you, but I love your memes on the internet." Just months ago, the Iowa right tackle could eat here unnoticed. Now he's a full-blown celebrity.

The transformation happened at the NFL combine in Indianapolis, where scouts and coaches got their first real look at Dunker. His flowing red mullet and thick mustache caught attention immediately, but it was his genuine personality that made him unforgettable. When NFL Network's Mike Garafolo admitted he'd never heard of Culver's, an incredulous Dunker responded, "That's a crime. Are you serious?"

The Kelce brothers loved him so much on their podcast that Travis literally fell out of his chair laughing. A viral meme showed Dunker's 40-yard dash in slow motion, mullet bouncing with each stride, set to Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Free Bird" with the caption "Peak Male Performance." Esquire declared he won the combine "on looks alone."

But Dunker is far more than his distinctive look. He helped Iowa's offensive line win the Joe Moore Award as the nation's best in 2025. He's an avid reader and outdoorsman who writes chemistry equations for fun and appreciates a Storm Lake sunset as much as a good fishing spot.

The mullet itself has meaning. Dunker grew it alongside teammate Connor Colby as a "case study" in 2024. When Colby had cut his mullet mid-career, his performance slipped. Both brought it back, and Iowa's offensive line dominated. Colby earned All-Big Ten honors and got drafted by the 49ers.

His tattoos tell deeper stories too. Biblical figures like Moses, Samson, and King David cover his shoulders and chest. His favorite is Moses and the Burning Bush. "It's kind of like God's calling for your life, go out for adventure," he explained. "Football's kind of an adventure."

Sunny's Take

In a world of carefully managed athlete brands, Dunker's authenticity stands out like a red mullet in a sea of buzz cuts. He showed up to an ESPN photo shoot wearing a T-shirt with his teammate's face on it. He talks about his offensive line with the phrase "we play five as one." He orders cheese curds without apology and defends Midwestern comfort food to national media.

The small-town kid from Lena, Illinois, never pretended to be anyone but himself, and millions have fallen in love with exactly that. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranks him as the seventh-best tackle available, meaning some NFL team will soon get both an excellent player and an infectious personality.

Gennings Dunker is living proof that staying true to yourself, mullet and all, is the best strategy of all.