Two Deep Dive: Iowa Defense

The Iowa football program released the spring two deeps this week. It’s always interesting to study this first look at the Hawkeyes for the upcoming season simply because it give us our initial look into the thoughts on the position coaches and coordinators as far as who will play this season.

On the defensive side of the ball, Iowa has some major contributors that they will need to replace, led by All American and Butkus Award winner Jack Campbell. Overall, Iowa will need to replace just under half the defense. In addition to Campbell, they will be without starting linebacker Seth Benson, cornerback Riley Moss, safety Kaevon Merriweather, and defensive end John Waggoner. Also, Iowa lost defensive end Lukas Van Ness, who was not a starter, but is expected to be a first round pick in the NFL Draft in April.

Let’s take a look at the two deeps and see what the coaches think of the 2023 defense.

DEFENSIVE LINE

DE: Deontae Craig, Max Llewellyn

DT: Noah Shannon, Aaron Graves

DT: Logan Lee, Yahya Black

DE: Joe Evans, Ethan Hurkett

Even with Iowa having to replace two key players, the Hawkeyes have a lot of talent returning. Craig really came on last season and is a star in the making at defensive tackle. Evans is as consistent as they come as he returns for his Covid year. Same could be said for Shannon, who is also using his Covid year. Shannon will be out this spring and it’s believed that Lee might also be sidelined as well after out of season surgery. A lot of good young talent, led by Graves, who will be a star sooner rather than later.

LINEBACKER/CASH

Leo/Cash: Sebastian Castro, Kelby Telander, Jaxon Rexroth

MLB: Jay Higgins, Jaden Harrell

WLB: Carson Sharar, Kyler Fisher

It is worth nothing that when the fall arrives, Iowa’s linebacker group will include Virginia transfer Nick Jackson. He will be a starter. The other regular starter will likely be Higgins, who did a nice job last season. Castro remains the main man at Cash, but Telendar and Rexroth are on the rise. Keep an eye on Sharar. The Iowa coaches are very high on his potential.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

CB: Cooper DeJean, T.J. Hall

CB: Jermari Harris, Deshaun Lee

SS: Xavier Nwankpa, Sebastian Castro

FS: Quinn Schulte, Koen Entringer

Even though Iowa loses two potential NFL Draft picks in Merriweather and Moss, this is still a stacked group. Now, it is probably thin, but it’s talented. Leading the group is DeJean, who is in line to be an All American this season. Nwankpa had a great first college start, picking off a pass and returning it for a score. Schulte was extremely solid and Harris is back from injury and Iowa really likes his ability.

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