If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it
While we won’t really know what the Iowa offense will look like until they get on the field and play, everyone knows what the Iowa defense will look like. It’s been the same since Norm Parker took over when Kirk Ferentz took the job and Phil Parker hasn’t changed it much it all. There has been the addition, and then the slight subtraction, of the Raider Package. Overall, it’s a 4-3 defense predicated on the front four getting pressure, the linebackers tackling and filling gaps and the secondary playing back and looking for opportunities. Iowa’s best defenses have generally happened when they have great talent that executes well and this season’s front seven is deeper and potentially more talented than any group in the Ferentz era. Middle LB Josey Jewell is an All-American caliber star and leader. Ben Niemann and Bo Bower flank him and bring a lot of experience. The defensive end position is loaded with Anthony Nelson, Parker Hesse, AJ Epenesa and Matt Nelson (if he’s not lined up at DT) and a multitude of other options if needed. DT isn’t as deep or experienced but has some intriguing options. The secondary is a bit of a question mark after losing All-American Desmond King and Greg Mabin to graduation and having FS Brandon Snyder blow out his knee in the spring. The only returning starter is Miles Taylor and he is not coming off a very good season last year and he needs to not only improve his performance but take on a leadership role. Phil Parker coaches the secondary and this year Seth Wallace has added the title of Assistant Defensive Coordinator so perhaps Parker will be able to spend a little extra time getting the young secondary ready to roll.
Let’s take a look at the positions
Defensive End
Starters: Parker Hesse (Jr) Anthony Nelson (So) or Matt Nelson (Jr)
Hesse had to step in his redshirt freshman year when he was undersized and had just moved to DE from LB when Drew Ott got hurt. He acquitted himself quite nicely and he’s become a steady presence on one side of the line. His reliability is important and he makes the plays he’s supposed to make. The other end spot is shared by Anthony and Matt Nelson (no they are not brothers). Both players are tall and long but they bring different skill sets to the position. Matt is the stronger player against the run while Anthony brings more speed off the edge. It is very likely that Anthony will get more snaps at DE simply because the coaches have decided to use Matt at DT at times because he creates problems inside with his height and he brings more size and experience at DT where those two things are in short supply. Anthony is a major breakout candidate and he should lead the Hawkeyes in sacks. Unless…
Backups: AJ Epenesa (Fr) Sam Brincks (Jr)
AJ Epenesa could prove to be as good as advertised. Epenesa is a five-star recruit unlike any recruit during the Ferentz era. Even when Kirk Ferentz has had highly rated recruits he’s usually one to temper expectations if for no other reason than to lessen the focus on said recruit. That didn’t happen with Epenesa. Once he signed his letter of intent Ferentz talked about him playing this year. He’s 6’5 270 lbs. and he’s a physical freak. He can hold his own against anyone and while Phil Parker started out talking about him playing 15-20 snaps a game he’s proven good enough that the coaches feel comfortable moving Matt Nelson inside to DT when needed. Epenesa has basically become the third DE behind Hesse and Anthony Nelson. He could very well challenge Anthony Nelson as the sack leader on this team. Sam Brincks is a walk-on with some experience but he’ll have to hold off a group of young DEs if he wants to hold on to his backup job.
The Depth
Considering the Hawkeyes don’t have a single senior DE expected to play it’s safe to say the guys already mentioned are the future and the future looks bright. That doesn’t mean there isn’t some young depth that is looking to make a push to get into the game and make a name for themselves. There are four redshirt freshmen; Chauncey Golston, Austin Schulte, Brandon Simon and Romeo McKnight, that would all like a chance to find some playing time. With Hesse, the Nelsons, Epenesa and Brincks they have their work cut out for them. Several of them came into their freshmen seasons last year coming off injuries from their senior year of high school so they are just getting around to showing the coaches what they can do. They all have potential but the coaches have time to see who really steps up and they won’t be pressed to play any of them. True freshman Levi Duwa is listed as a DE but he had shoulder surgery recently and will surely redshirt this season, it is also reasonable to think he may grow into a DT in time and the Hawkeyes will end up playing him inside.
Defensive Tackle
Starters: Nathan Bazata (Sr) Cedric Lattimore (Soph)
Bazata is the one known commodity at DT and that’s after a year in which he missed a lot of time due to injury and wasn’t as effective when he did play because of it. He’s not the playmaking pocket collapsing DT guys like Jaleel Johnson and Carl Davis have been in the past few years but if he’s healthy he’ll anchor the middle of the line just fine. The Hawkeyes are looking for someone to make a few plays, be tough against the run and generally complement Bazata’s steadiness. Cedric Lattimore got some playing time last season as an undersized true freshman especially when Bazata was out (he was the third DT behind Johnson and Faith Ekakitie). That experience gives him a leg up on the other young guys but it’s also the reason the coaches are experimenting with Matt Nelson inside. Nelson has plenty of snaps under his belt and with the depth at DE he will be used inside especially on passing downs. A defensive line of Hesse, Nelson, Nelson and Epenesa can bring some serious pass rush and their length will make passing lanes hard to come by.
The Depth
Garrett Jansen (Soph) and Brady Reiff (Soph) are listed as the backups to Bazata and Lattimore and there isn’t much else to count on. Both of them have talent but they aren’t the biggest guys and they are still inexperienced. Jake Newborg (Soph) just moved to DT from the offensive line last year and senior walk-on Jake Hulett has been in the two-deeps before but has never been a major contributor. Duwa is likely to end up at DT once he grows into his frame and this position is a point of emphasis in the next recruiting class.
Linebacker
Outside Linebacker
Starter: Ben Niemann (Sr) Backup: Kevin Ward (Sr)
Niemann is coming off a junior season where his effectiveness was diminished by injury issues. He didn’t progress as far as you would have hoped after a really good sophomore year. He’s looking to rebound this season and have fantastic senior year and if he’s healthy he has the potential to be great. Ward is a former walk-on who was awarded a scholarship because he proved to be a valuable player especially in pass coverage. He was a defensive back and while he’s still undersized his coverage skills are top notch.
Middle Linebacker
Starter: Josey Jewell (Sr) Backups: Jack Hockaday (Jr) Kristian Welch (Soph)
Jewell is the foundation of the Hawkeye defense and he makes everyone better. He’s a tackling machine and is rarely out of position. He knows where everyone is supposed to be and gets them lined up correctly and his leadership is unquestioned. He’ll be a third-year captain, yeah that has never happened before under Ferentz. It’s a cliché’ but he’s the heart and soul of the Hawkeye defense. Luckily for Iowa they do have some talented players behind Jewell who are hopefully soaking up everything they can from the Outlaw. Jack Hockaday has played a bit at different positions and has learned plenty and Kristian Welch is a top-notch athlete that could excel in the middle. Hopefully Iowa doesn’t have to worry about which one gets to play until next spring.
Weakside Linebacker
Starter: Bo Bower (Sr) Backups: Amani Jones (Soph) Aaron Mends (Jr)
This is the spot where the fanbase will likely find their whipping boy again. Bower has taken plenty of criticism over the years and Amani Jones is seen as a guy with a huge upside. Bower has had his struggles and when he has some again this year Ferentz and Parker are likely still going to stick with him. Hopefully Bower has a Cole Fisher like senior year (although he’s played a lot more than Fisher ever did before his senior year). Jones is a good-looking player that just brings an attitude and ferocity to the position while Bower is more of a lunch pail type of player. We will see Jones for sure. Mends is an undersized player that has been used in the Raider package in the past and he can bring some athleticism to the position too.
The Future (and then some)
Iowa starts three seniors and has another one as a backup so it would seem like next year they will struggle losing so much but don’t count on it. Hockaday, Welch, Jones and Mends are just the beginning of the talent the Hawkeyes have on hand. This team will be far better equipped to replace its three senior LBs than it was the last time they had to do that (Morris, Kirksey and Hitchens anyone). Besides the obvious dogfights between Hockaday and Welch, and Jones and Mends the Hawkeyes have redshirt freshman Nick Niemann, Kyle Taylor and Barrington Wade and true freshmen Nate Wieland and Djimon Colbert. The future is in good hands.
Defensive Backs
Cornerback
Starters: Manny Rugamba (Soph) Josh Jackson (Jr)
Rugamba is suspended for the Wyoming game for breaking team rules but once he’s back he’s unquestionably the starter so I’m leaving him here. He stepped up in a big way last season when the Hawkeyes had some injuries pile up a CB and even as a true freshman he played well. No one can replace what Desmond King was to the Hawkeye defense but Rugamba can hold his own and match up with just about anyone. He’s still young and he’ll make his mistakes but he won’t back down from a challenge. Josh Jackson bounced around a bit early in his career between CB and WR but now he’s the other starting CB and for the first game he’s the top guy. He is a great athlete and he’s still learning the nuances of the position but once he does I think he’s going to be very tough. If he ends up being better this season than Rugamba I wouldn’t be all that shocked. This is a young, talented duo that will hopefully take advantage of the pressure the front four should get on the QB this season.
Backups: Michael Ojemudia (Soph) Matt Hankins (Fr)
Ojemudia will step in for Rugamba the first game of the year and then he’ll continue to have to hold off true freshman Matt Hankins who is working his way up the depth chart. Ojemudia has played some and been fine but he hasn’t really excelled and until the freshmen showed up he really wasn’t being pushed for his position. Hankins has come in and already passed Cedric Boswell (RS Fr) on the depth chart and he’s hoping to be the third CB. He’ll get his chance as the nickel back against Wyoming and don’t be surprised if he keeps the job. He doesn’t lack for confidence and Phil Parker has never been shy about playing true freshmen in the defensive backfield (just ask Rugamba).
The Depth (the Future is the Present)
That’s a junior, two sophomores and a true freshman in the two-deeps, these guys should grow together nicely. Cedric Boswell (RS Fr) has already been officially passed by Hankins and the coaching staff talks about Trey Creamer (Fr) and Josh Turner (Fr) playing if need be before they mention Boswell. That means of the top six CBs three of them are true freshmen. Cameron Harrell (Fr) came into fall camp and started out as a WR but there has been some mention of him moving to CB. The biggest issue for the CB position overall is experience but luckily, they aren’t lacking in talent.
Strong Safety
Starter: Miles Taylor (Sr) Backup: Noah Clayberg (Fr) Geno Stone (Fr)
Taylor was pretty good two years ago and then last year not so much. He wasn’t playing well and then he got banged up and Anthony Gair stepped in and played well in his place. Unfortunately, Gair graduated and now Taylor is backed up by a couple of freshmen. The Hawkeyes need Taylor to be much better than he was last season and he needs to take on a leadership role on the field given the injury to Brandon Snyder. Clayberg spent last season as a greyshirt (he wasn’t a full-time student until second semester so he is still technically a true freshman). He participated in spring practice, first as a RB and then moved to safety. He’s a good athlete and a natural for the safety position. Geno Stone has a fantastic name for a future strong safety and the game to match. Like I said before, Phil Parker has never shied from playing true freshmen in the secondary so Taylor better raise his game or he will be looking over his shoulder.
Free Safety
Starter: Jake Gervase (Jr) Backup: Amani Hooker (So)
This was supposed to be Brandon Snyder’s spot but the junior tore his ACL in the spring and he’s not expected to play this season. Gervase was a walk-on that was backing him up in the spring and stepped up in a big way. In the spring practice Gervase had more interceptions than any one WR had catches. He’s a pretty classic Iowa safety, a solid athlete that understands where he’s supposed to be and makes tackles. It’s unfortunate for Snyder as he was a potential breakout candidate but this gives Gervase a chance to show what he can do. Hooker was a major playmaker in high school and he’s sort of bounced between strong safety and free safety and he’s likely the third safety if either Taylor or Gervase go down. It’s possible if Taylor struggles the coaches could turn to Hooker since he has a little more experience than Clayberg and Stone.
The Depth
There is no depth and Hooker, Clayberg and Stone are the future. The rest of the roster is a few walk-ons. True freshman Djimon Colbert was originally brought in as a safety but the coaches quickly moved him to OLB during camp. It’s not surprising that DB has been a priority in the next recruiting class but Taylor is the only senior so unless there are a number of injuries it’s not a pressing issue. It is possible that one of the young CBs; Creamer, Turner, Harrell or Boswell are moved to the safety position to cultivate some depth. In a pinch, it’s possible Ojemudia would slide over given the fact he has a little more size than some of the younger guys.
The talent of the players in the front seven; Jewell, Nelson, Nelson, Hesse, Epenesa, Bazata, Lattimore, Niemann and Bower is pretty impressive. When Iowa controls the line of scrimmage and keeps the LBs free to run and chase down RBs it makes Iowa’s defense special. The secondary has to hold their own but they should receive a boost from an improved pass rush. Given that I just named nine players from the front seven hopefully Phil Parker has come up with some ways to use all the talent he has up front to create havoc. The backup LBs are all athletic guys that bring something to the table too so seeing them used in unique ways would be a welcomed sight. The depth and talent on defense is better than Iowa has had in some time and hopefully the offense won’t waste a good defense.
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