Nearly three years after taking his final snap at Iowa State, Hunter Dekkers is hoping to hear his name called at the 2025 NFL Draft.
To say Dekkers’ path to draft day has been unorthodox would be an understatement, as he’s been at the center of one of the biggest gambling controversies to hit college athletics in recent years. Still, Dekkers found a way to move past the scandal and give himself a chance to realize his NFL dream.
After spending the 2024 football season at Iowa Western Community College, Dekkers has been preparing for the NFL Draft. Getting selected is far from a given, but he’s much closer than he was when he was involved in a
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Here’s a closer look at what Dekkers was involved in and how he’s gotten this close to becoming an NFL player.
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Hunter Dekkers gambling controversy timeline
May 2, 2023: Dekkers is among several Iowa and Iowa State athletes asked to return home to speak with agents from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI).
These agents question each athlete about their sports betting activity, with the investigation presented as a larger-scale probe into negligence involving sportsbooks.
Aug. 1, 2023: Dekkers is issued a criminal complaint and is accused of tampering with records.
The complaint states Dekker “did knowingly and intentionally falsify personal electronic sports wagering records by concealing his personal identity in said records with the intent to deceive or conceal a wrongdoing knowing he had no privilege or right to do so.”
He is accused of wagering on Iowa State sporting events 26 times, including one football game. He also made 366 sports wagers totaling more than $2,799, with 297 of the wagers being placed while he was underage.
Dekkers was born on July 4, 2001, and the legal gambling age in Iowa is 21.
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Aug. 2, 2023: Dekkers, the supposed starter for the upcoming season, officially steps away from Iowa State to fight the charge.
This is one month away from Iowa State’s season opener against Northern Iowa.
Sept. 6, 2023: Dekkers pleads guilty to the reduced charge of underage gambling.
The charge carried a fine of $645 but came with no further criminal penalties.
February 2024: Dekkers has remaining NCAA eligibility stripped for the bet placed on Iowa State football.
Dekkers alleges that he only wagered $15 on Iowa State to beat Oklahoma State. He was rostered but did not play in the game.
April 18, 2024: After exploring NAIA and alternative professional leagues, Dekkers enrolls at Iowa Western Community College to play junior college basketball during the 2024 season.
Aug. 31, 2024: Dekkers goes 20-of-30 for 296 yards and one touchdown in his Iowa Western debut, a 42-41 OT win over Georgia Military College.
Jan. 6, 2025: After one season at Iowa Western, Dekkers declares for the 2025 NFL Draft.
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