Defensive Line
Defensive End
Starters: Anthony Nelson – Jr, Parker Hesse – Sr
DE is the deepest and arguably the most talented position on the Hawkeyes this season (the safety group might argue with that assertion). Anthony Nelson had a good year last year and looks to have an even better one this year. He’s a long and lean end that can bend the edge and he could be a double-digit sack guy this season. Nelson is a good NFL prospect and if he has a great year he could leave early for the draft. Hesse is the lunch pail type of player. He is hard-working, no frills guy. He is the guy most likely to take over Josey Jewell’s role as the emotional leader of this defense. Hesse won’t blow you away and he’s not going to put up eye-popping stats but he’s the rock of the defensive line.
Backups: AJ Epenesa – Soph, Sam Brincks – Senior
The backups at DE have taken two opposite paths to get here. Epenesa was a 5-star recruit and earned playing time as a true freshman because he’s simply too talented to keep off the field. If Anthony Nelson and Parker Hesse weren’t so consistently good Epenesa would be starting by now. For now, he’s just an exceptional option as the third DE. Brincks was a walk-on who worked hard, paid his dues, played both inside and outside on the line when the coaches asked and earned a scholarship the Iowa way. He’s steady, not flashy and does the dirty work with no complaints. His ability to play both inside and out also makes him an important part of the rotation and that should continue this year.
Beyond the Two-Deeps: Brandon Simon-Soph, Jack Kallenberger- Jr, John Waggoner-Fr
Brandon Simon is a third-year sophomore who has yet to break through and finds a pretty talented depth chart ahead of him. Kallenberger is a walk-on who adds depth. Waggoner was a top recruit and while he’s talented it would take a number of injuries for him to see serious playing time. The 4-game redshirt rule might help him get some snaps in a major blowout game but he’s not seeing time in more than four games this year. Chauncey Golston has earned a spot as the backup DT but he also brings versatility like Brincks so he will line up at DE from time to time.
Defensive Tackle
Starters: Matt Nelson – Sr, Cedrick Lattimore – Jr
Matt Nelson sat out spring practice with an injury so he’s working his way back but he’s still a starter and I wouldn’t expect that to change. He will start as long as he’s healthy. He’s a tall DT at 6’8 and he creates tough passing lanes in the middle of the field. Lattimore played some last year and he should only get better with another year of physical maturity. He has the talent and skill to really excel inside. These guys get a little overshadowed by the stars at DE but they will do good work inside.
Backups: Chauncey Golston – Soph, Brady Reiff – Jr,
As I said before Golston brings versatility and while he’s still filling out his 6’5 frame he has earned the backup job inside and he should make for good depth. Reiff is suspended for the first game of the year due to a public intoxication charge over the summer but once he’s back he should be a part of the DT rotation. (BTW, google the story about him mistaking a police car for his Uber, at least he was trying not to drink and drive).
Beyond the Two-Deeps: Garret Jansen-Jr, Austin Schulte-Soph, Dallas Jacobus-Soph, Tyler Linderbaum-Fr, Noah Shannon-Fr, Daviyon Nixon-Soph
Garret Jansen is most likely the 5th DT although Sam Brincks will slide inside from time to time. Jansen is never going to be the biggest DT but he can play. Dallas Jacobus was a walk-on who is listed as a backup in the two deeps during spring practice at one point (injuries certainly played a role in the depth chart during the spring). He was impressive enough to beat out Schulte in the spring, not sure if that’s good news for him or bad news for Schulte. Schulte has had some injury issues so that contributed. The bad news for the both of them is freshmen Linderbaum and Shannon are ready to compete if depth is needed beyond the top four DTs. Shannon already has the size at 300 lbs. while Linderbaum could be quite disruptive as he grows into the position. The Hawkeyes would love to have Nixon available but he’s a JUCO transfer from Iowa Western and he’ll redshirt this year in order to concentrate on academics. If not, he would have definitely contributed.
Linebacker
Outside Linebacker
Starter: Nick Niemann – Soph
The Hawkeyes are replacing all three starting LBs from last year’s team and this seems to be the simplest replacement. Nick Niemann is slated to replace his brother Ben at OLB for the Hawkeyes. He’s only a sophomore but it looks like he’s the one guy that took a position and owned it and his competition isn’t all that close. If he can come close to matching his brother’s production the position will be in good hands. Ben was a reliable and underrated player now it’s Nick’s turn.
Backup: Barrington Wade – Soph
While the LB position lost a lot of experience there are a lot of players on the roster and many of them were vying for a spot somewhere in the two deeps. Wade stood out enough during spring practice to earn the backup spot behind Niemann. He’ll have to continue to work to hold off his competition but he’s a talented player so I expect him to do so.
Middle Linebacker
Starter: Amani Jones – Jr
Jones was originally slated to line up at weakside LB but given the fact that no one had any real experience at any of the LB positions a lot of guys got chances to show what they could do at multiple positions. By the end of spring ball Jones had laid claim to the MLB job. He’s a fierce hitter and it will be his job to communicate with the entire defense. Jones is stepping in to fill some major Josey Jewell sized shoes but he’s earned the opportunity. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do and I have high expectations for Jones moving forward.
Backup: Jack Hockaday – Sr
Hockaday spent part of last season as Jewell’s backup until he got hurt. He was passed up by Jones during spring and for now he brings nice depth and could be used in multiple positions. His experience and cross training at multiple positions could make him the fourth LB regardless of position.
Weakside Linebacker
Starter: Kristian Welch – Jr
Welch started the spring at middle linebacker but after Aaron Mends went down with a torn ACL and Amani Jones asserted himself in the middle Welch moved to the weakside. He is tall and rangy and his athleticism should play well at the position. He’s been waiting his turn and it’s his time now. It’s unfortunate that Mends tore his ACL when he was just about to get his chance as a senior but Welch will take advantage. This is the one starting LB position that isn’t completely set just yet. Mends went down late in the spring so Welch didn’t really have the opportunity to claim the position but I suspect he will do so in training camp.
Backup: Djimon Colbert – RS Fr
Colbert was originally recruited as a safety but he immediately moved to LB when he arrived on campus. He is still growing into his LB body but the hope is that he maintains his speed and athleticism. The Hawkeyes are looking to utilize speed at the LB spot more as Phil Parker uses sub-packages more when lining up against multi-WR looks. Colbert can be this type of LB/S hybrid that plays well in these packages. Unless Welch completely dominates in camp I would expect we see Colbert get some playing time this season.
Beyond the Two-Deeps: Dillon Doyle-Fr, Jayden McDonald-Fr, Seth Benson-Fr, Logan Klemp-Fr
Dillon Doyle competed in spring practice and that should give him a leg up on the other true freshman. He is likely the #3 MLB at best but he could be a threat to play some special teams. Jayden McDonald is a fast, athletic LB that is definitely in the new mold the Hawkeyes are looking for so while I expect him to redshirt he might get some special teams and mop-up duty in less than four games in order to get him some experience and preserve his redshirt. Benson and Klemp are likely to redshirt just to grow into themselves and because they are not likely to be needed. The late summer losses of Kyle Taylor and Nate Wieland means the true freshmen will get a shot at special teams.
Cornerbacks
Starters: Matt Hankins – Soph, Michael Ojemudia – Jr
Replacing the three starting LBs seems to be getting more headlines than replacing Josh Jackson at CB but I think this is a pretty interesting position to look at for the Hawkeyes. Matt Hankins stepped in as a freshman towards the end of last season when Manny Rugamba (recently departed from the program) and Michael Ojemudia were not stepping up opposite Jackson. Hankins has a chance to be the next great Iowa CB, he has the talent but he’s unproven. With Rugamba gone it’s Ojemudia’s job to lose. There are a couple of redshirt freshmen and likely true freshmen coming for Ojemudia’s spot. Neither of these guys can relax because while the depth is inexperienced it is talented and Phil Parker won’t hesitate to use freshmen if they prove to be better.
Backups: Trey Creamer – RS Fr, Josh Turner – RS Fr
Creamer and Turner came in with Hankins in last year’s recruiting class but they redshirted because of Iowa’s depth at CB. Now both of them are in the two deeps and if Ojemudia is inconsistent he very well could lose the starting job to one of them. Creamer seems to be slightly ahead of Turner and I can only say that because when Rugamba was still on the depth chart Creamer was listed as a backup but Turner wasn’t, once Rugamba left Turner moved up. Both guys bring talent and athleticism to the position.
Beyond the Two-Deeps: DJ Johnson – Fr, Julius Brents – Fr, Terry Roberts – Fr
The rest of the depth chart is made up of true freshmen. Considering three of the top four are 2nd year players this position group is quite young. The good news is they are all talented and coached by Phil Parker. Johnson might be the most likely to see early playing time but all three of these guys may be called upon. I’m listing Brents as a CB here even though he may eventually end up at safety, I’m doing that because there is an easier path to playing time at CB than there is at safety. Brents is a talented athlete that might be too good to keep off the field. Roberts is the less talked about player but that isn’t going to stop Phil Parker from playing him if he earns a chance.
Strong Safety
Starter: Amani Hooker – Jr
Hooker finally broke through last year after Brandon Snyder went down with a torn ACL and Miles Taylor was simply ineffective. His breakthrough moment happened in the Ohio St. game but he played very well most of the time he was in. He’s a playmaker and extremely versatile. Phil Parker has talked about him lining up as a LB and he can also cover the slot. He’s my choice as breakout player of the Iowa defense and the “best defensive back” baton has been passed from Desmond King to Josh Jackson the last two years and now it’s Hooker’s turn to take the title.
Backup: Geno Stone – Soph
Stone was a true freshman last year who played some special teams and by the end of the year he was playing on defense. He has the type of athleticism, instincts and toughness that makes a good Iowa safety. He would get caught out of position a little last year but that happens to true freshman from time to time. He’s going to be a good one moving forward.
Free Safety
Starter/Backup: Brandon Snyder – Sr, Jake Gervase – Sr
At the moment these two seniors are listed as co-starters. Snyder is coming back from re-injuring his knee last year after he came back really quickly from his torn ACL the preceding spring. Gervase stepped in and at first, he looked like a deer in headlights. He struggled along with Miles Taylor and then Snyder returned for a minute and got hurt again. Once Amani Hooker stepped in for Taylor and Gervase came back in for Snyder he played a lot better. These are two pretty experienced players on the back end of the Iowa defense.
Beyond the Two-Deeps: Dallas Craddieth – Fr, Kaevon Merriweather – Fr, Jaden Snyder – Fr, Riley Moss-Fr (potentially)
Hooker, Stone, Snyder and Gervase offer four talented safeties and plenty of versatility so the odds of someone else playing much is pretty low hence the reason I listed Julius Brents at CB. Craddieth and Merriweather are two athletic guys that could bring something on special teams if the coaches deem it necessary and they may want to get them some playing time since Brandon Snyder and Gervase are both seniors. Jaden Snyder is Brandon’s brother and as of right now he’s a walk-on but something tells me he’s going to eventually be one of those guys that earns a scholarship. Riley Moss is a guy that was going to come in and not be on scholarship this year (it’s a weird eligibility thing called a blueshirt) and while I haven’t heard differently there are some scholarships available now. Manny Rugamba, Nate Wieland, Spencer Williams (medical waiver), Kyle Taylor, Toks Akinribade (medical waiver), and Cam Harrell all left the program over the summer for various reasons that could mean the Hawkeyes bring in Moss now instead of later.
Overall Analysis
The Iowa defense is built upon the strength of the defensive line. The talent and depth are exceptional. Anthony Nelson, Parker Hesse, Matt Nelson, Cedrick Lattimore, AJ Epenesa, Sam Brincks, Chauncey Golston and Brady Reiff make up the deepest defensive line I think Kirk Ferentz has ever had in his 20 years. That’s good because there isn’t a lot of experience behind them, talent yes, experience not so much. The LBs don’t have a single start among them but I actually worry less about them than the secondary. While they haven’t started any games, they have been on campus for multiple years and have practiced and learned from Josey Jewell, Ben Niemann and Bo Bower. The secondary has one junior, Michael Ojemudia, who hasn’t been the picture of consistency. A sophomore with a couple of starts under his belt, Matt Hankins. And a bunch of redshirt and true freshmen. Phil Parker has always been good at getting young guys ready to contribute early, just look at Hankins last year. However, it’s usually finding one youngster to play with some older guys, this year he’s going to need multiple youngsters to heavily contribute at CB. I think he’ll use his depth and experience at safety to cover up the lack of experience at CB. Hooker can play the slot and be all over the field and Snyder can play all over too. I think Jones, Niemann and Welch are good LBs who only need a chance to play to really shine. The competition at LB and CB should help push the starters to earn their spots every week. No one at LB or CB has earned the benefit of the doubt and if someone is struggling they could lose their starting job. Training camp should be quite competitive on the defensive side of the ball, even the defensive line starters have healthy competition pushing them to be better. This has a chance to be one of the most athletic defenses Kirk Ferentz has had at Iowa and I hope Phil Parker follows through on using sub-packages a little more against pass happy offenses.
The Hott Read 