Rob Bruggeman
Robert Bruggeman is an American former professional football player who was a center in the National Football League. He played college football for the Hawkeyes football|Iowa Hawkeyes] and was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2009.
He was also a member of the Atlanta Falcons and Kansas City Chiefs.
Early life
Bruggeman went to high school at Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he earned the nickname "Big Frame" and three varsity letters playing both offensive and defensive line.During his sophomore year, he garnered honorable mention All-Mississippi Valley Conference honors.
During his junior and senior seasons, Bruggeman earned first-team All-Conference distinction as well as elite first team All-State honors. Bruggeman also helped the Warriors post a 21–2 record over those two years, with one loss coming at the end of each season. He was high school teammates with New Orleans Saints wide receiver Adrian Arrington.
College career
After a highly successful high school career, Bruggeman decided to attend the University of Iowa as a preferred walk-on with teammate Gavin McGrath in 2004.After redshirting during his first year with the Hawkeyes in 2004, he saw action in games against Ball State and Minnesota during the 2005 season. Injuries limited his playing time in 2006, but Bruggeman was able to contribute in several games towards the end of 2007. Though he was unable to play in the first nine games of the season due to injury, Bruggeman saw action against Northwestern, Minnesota, and Western Michigan to end the Hawkeyes' 2007 campaign.
Iowa's 2008 season turned out to be a formative one for Bruggeman, starting with first-string center designation from Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz following spring practice. Bruggeman started every game at center for the Hawkeyes in 2008, including their resounding Outback Bowl victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Bruggeman earned first team District Seven Academic All-America honors and Academic All-Big Ten accolades following his senior season. He was named to the second team All-Big Ten list by the league’s coaches and media.