Gennings Dunker plays offensive line at Iowa. He eats a lot of food.
His diet requires him to consume at least 5,000 calories a day. At least!
Dunker, a rising senior, began his college football career in 2022 as a three-star prospect in the recruiting Class of 2021. The Illinois-native arrived to campus at approximately 290 pounds. He is currently listed on the roster at 6-foot-5, 316 pounds but he likely plays closer to 320.
No matter how much weight he gains, Iowa requires him to stay under 329. That number became an issue at the start of 2023 when Dunker tipped the scale above 340. The Hawkeyes coaching staff forced him to get on the “fat bike” to drop at least 11 pounds prior to the season. It won’t happen again.
I was pretty heavy I was in the mid-340s at one point, but I have to weigh under 329. I don’t want to end up on the “fat bike” to lose calories. I would rather die than miss weight. Whatever it takes.
— Gennings Dunker
Losing weight is no longer a concern for Dunker. In fact, he still has to eat, a lot, to maintain his current number.
The average daily diet for Gennings Dunker hovers around 5,000 calories. He hits closer to 8,000 or 9,000 calories on the day before a game. Game day is just as intense if not more so.
Dunker has to eat approximately 3,000 during the game. That is 1,000 calories per hour, give or take.
He recently detailed his game day diet for an 11:00 a.m. kickoff in a feature for Iowa Magazine. It looks something like this:
- FRIDAY NIGHT
- 5:30 p.m.
- Two to three servings of pasta with meat marinara sauce
- A few rolls
- 12 oz. steak
- Two servings of fruit
- 8:30 p.m.
- Three hamburgers
- Three bags of Baked Lays chips
- Drip Drop hydration mix
- Hot chocolate
- 5:30 p.m.
- SATURDAY MORNING
- 7:15 a.m.
- Four pieces of toast
- Two bowls of Wheaties
- A few pancakes
- Two chicken breasts
- 24 oz. Water
- Drip Drop hydration mix
- 9:00 a.m.
- Four pieces of toast
- Chicken breast
- 10:15 a.m.
- Maurten Gel
- Honey Stinger energy waffle and chews
- Drip Drop hydration mix
- 7:15 a.m.
- DURING THE GAME
- 350 calories of Honey Stinger energy waffles and chews after every offensive possession
- Powerade
- Bodyarmor
- Water
- HALFTIME
- Honey Stinger energy waffles and chews
- Maurten Gel
- AFTER THE GAME
- Culvers
- Double bacon cheesburger with no vegetables
- Family-sized order of cheese curds or onion rings
- Three sides of ranch dressing
- Culvers
Gennings Dunker eats so much food prior to the game that he is uncomfortable when he takes the field.
It’s not fun. I have a giant gut going into the game.
— Gennings Dunker via Iowa Magazine
This insane diet allows the 320-pound offensive lineman to play at least 60 physical snaps per game. It also gives him the strength to win the ‘hay bale toss’ at the local Beef Days. Gennings Dunker doesn’t go hungry. He is always eating!