Former University of Iowa Hawkeye football standout and NFL star Brandon Scherff will become the 14th member added to the America Needs Farmers (ANF) Wall of Honor Oct. 3, when the Hawkeyes host Ohio State during the annual ANF game at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. 

The ANF Wall of Honor salutes past University of Iowa football players who exemplify the tenacity, work ethic and character shared by Iowa farmers. 

In addition to the Wall of Honor ceremony, Iowa Farm Bureau and the Hawkeyes will celebrate America’s farmers during the annual ANF Game Day activities, where fans can interact with Iowa farmers, win prizes and get autographs from Scherff and other former Hawkeyes.

a decorated career

Scherff was a first-team all-state selection in high school for Denison-Schleswig and finished his college career at Iowa as one of the program’s most decorated players. 

He twice earned first team All-Big 10 selections and was the recipient of the Outland Trophy in 2014, an honor presented by the Football Writers Association of America to the nation’s best interior lineman in football. 

Following his decorated college career, Scherff was selected by the Washington Redskins in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft as the fifth overall pick. He was an NFL All-Pro selection in 2020 and a five-time Pro Bowl selection (2016, 2017, 2019-2020). 


Learning on the farm

Growing up in western Iowa, Scherff’s connection to farming started at an early age spending time on his mother’s family farm in Holstein, rounding up cattle, planting sweet corn and doing farm chores with family. That’s where he fell in love with life on the farm and learned lessons that shaped his playing career and life. 

Scherff’s wife also comes from an agricultural family, and today they share the joys of farm life with their children from helping feed cattle to picking fresh sweet corn. 

Defined by hard work, selflessness and commitment, Scherff sees parallels between the values that define both farmers and the Iowa football team.

“When you play at Iowa, you know you’re going to get the hardest workers, the most physical and selfless players, and guys who will do anything to help the team,” Scherff says. “And that’s the same in the farming community, where they’re going to work hard and do whatever it takes to feed the country.” 

Scherff prioritizes conservation and finding ways to improve the land on his northwest Iowa farm. 

“I think conservation is important, so anytime I can plant grass or put new waterways in, I’m going to try and do that,” Scherff said. “I think it’s important to work to improve the land and not take away from it.” 

Previous ANF Wall of Honor recipients include Casey Wiegmann (2012), Jared DeVries (2013), Bruce Nelson (2014), Robert Gallery (2015), Dallas Clark (2016), Chad Greenway (2017), Aaron Kampman (2018), Matt Kroul (2019), Marshal Yanda (2021), Tony Moeaki (2022), Bryan Bulaga (2023), Brandon Myers (2024) and Micah Hyde (2025).   

Fans can view displays recognizing all of the previous ANF Wall of Honor recipients on the ANF Plaza located on the northwest corner of Kinnick Stadium.


ANF tradition continues

America Needs Farmers was launched by Hawkeye Coach Hayden Fry to show support for farmers during the 1980s farm crisis, and the tradition continues today. 

“Farming and football look much different today than when Coach Fry launched ANF in the 1980s, but the values and qualities that define ANF remain as important today — commitment, integrity and a work ethic that’s second-to-none,” says Brent Johnson, Iowa Farm Bureau president. 

“We look forward to welcoming fans to the ANF Legends Tent on ANF Game Day as we celebrate the importance of agriculture in our daily lives and recognizing Brandon Scherff as the 2026 ANF Wall of Honoree.” 

The Iowa Farm Bureau and University of Iowa are also offering Hawkeye fans a chance to win four tickets and on-field sideline access to the ANF game. To enter, go to IowaFarmBureau.com/ANFExperience.