A Look at Iowa's Defensive Backs

[hawk_it]

Starting Corners:
SO Matt Hankins 6'1"
JR Michael Ojemudia 6'1"

That leaves these to battle for nickel and the 3rd & 4th Corners:
RS FR Josh Turner 5'11"
RS FR Trey Creamer 6'0"
FR DJ Johnson 6'0"
FR Terry Roberts 5'10"

Recruit: Dane Belton 6'1"

Starting Safeties:
JR Amani Hooker 6'0"
S Jake Gervase 6'1"

3rd & 4th Safeties:
S Brandon Synder 6'0"
SO Geno Stone 5'11"

Thinking these new players are safeties: (let me know if Iam wrong)
FR Julius Brents 6'2"
FR Dallas Craddieth 6'0"
FR Kaevon Merriweather 6'2"

Recruit: Sebastian Castro 6'1"

Bottom Line: Very Encouraged Here
Safety has the right spacing for continuity for several years.
Corner is a bit behind with Jackson going pro and Rugumba transfering. Hoping there is good health ahead for the starters till this young but talented group of corners get up to speed.

 

[funnyfletcher]

Add Riley Moss, too!

 

[TouchdownMyPants]

This is going to be an amazing era for IOWA DB’s. Not to say the last 18 years haven’t been amazing outside of a few light years, but the talent level right now is unprecedented for us. I also really enjoyed reading Tom’s piece on Phil’s 20 years and his legacy. He’s coaching his best football right now w/o a plateau in site. Hoping he sees his best years in his late 50’s and 60’s, ala Wade Philips or Norm.

Couple of random thoughts:

• Will Stone be our best nickel option? Dude can do it all, has the size and athleticism to matchup with most anyone, and if we believe the coaches views on getting the “best five guys on the field” as it relates to O-line, does the same thing hold true for our nickel package?

• Speaking of DB heavy packages, will we see packages that include six DB’s, outside of Prevent? We have a the opportunity to put some really astute pass rushers in the front four when we are in third and long and the idea of a Raider package with Snyder or Hooker playing tight to cover the outlet man might be fun.

• Rugamba is addition by subtraction according to birds I hear. I’d rather get some hungry young men like Creamer, Johnson, or Turner some reps than watch a young man continue to fight his own personal battles while trying to play football. I hope nothing but the best for Manny, even if he goes to a rival, but I think this is the best for all parties.

• Really glad you brought up Riley Moss, Fletcher. Does he get to practice as a blue shirt? Crazy athletic kid who’s stride reminds me of Andy Brodell (maybe it’s an Ankeny thing) with a willingness to hit. He’ll be one to watch.

 

[DaCDiggity]

Guarantee a freshman gonna make an impact like King did his freshman year and may eventually start

 

[millhawk]

Kaevon Merriweather has a lber in the making feel to me.

 

[kwik44]

I think Brents will start out at corner. I think he has the tools to stick there.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Starting Corners:
SO Matt Hankins 6'1"
JR Michael Ojemudia 6'1"

That leaves these to battle for nickel and the 3rd & 4th Corners:
RS FR Josh Turner 5'11"
RS FR Trey Creamer 6'0"
FR DJ Johnson 6'0"
FR Terry Roberts 5'10"

Recruit: Dane Belton 6'1"

Starting Safeties:
JR Amani Hooker 6'0"
S Jake Gervase 6'1"

3rd & 4th Safeties:
S Brandon Synder 6'0"
SO Geno Stone 5'11"

Thinking these new players are safeties: (let me know if Iam wrong)
FR Julius Brents 6'2"
FR Dallas Craddieth 6'0"
FR Kaevon Merriweather 6'2"

Recruit: Sebastian Castro 6'1"

Bottom Line: Very Encouraged Here
Safety has the right spacing for continuity for several years.
Corner is a bit behind with Jackson going pro and Rugumba transfering. Hoping there is good health ahead for the starters till this young but talented group of corners get up to speed.

Brents likely starts at CB first ... he kinda fits the long and lean mold that Parker seems to like (in guys like Hyde, Mabin, Jackson, and Hankins).

Merriweather definitely COULD go the route of Colbert and grow into a LB. However, he'll at least initially cut his teeth at S.

Moss was omitted and he projects as a safety with above-average speed. He's blue-shirting ... so he's essentially a walk-on this fall and then he gets his 'ship this January. However, given the attrition we've been recently seeing ... it's possible that a scholarship opens up for him earlier (so that he doesn't have to blue-shirt).

I have no clue where Belton will end up landing - not unlike Brents, he's a versatile guy who could land at either CB or S.

 

[BigOHawk]

Guarantee a freshman gonna make an impact like King did his freshman year and may eventually start

Roberts? I think he's a sleeper!

 

[nu2u]

I believe Brandon Snyder will start at Safety if is he is 100%. Can't go wrong with any of those 4 guys though. Very good problem for Parker to wrestle with. Gervase, in particular, really came on strong at the end of last season.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Roberts? I think he's a sleeper!

Agreed ... he's a big sleeper. I like the young talent we have ... it will be fascinating to see how guys develop.

Between redshirt freshmen and freshmen CBs ... I expect that we'll at least see 3 guys play (albeit, mostly on special teams and/or packaged action).

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

I believe Brandon Snyder will start at Safety if is he is 100%. Can't go wrong with any of those 4 guys though. Very good problem for Parker to wrestle with. Gervase, in particular, really came on strong at the end of last season.

I honestly don't know what to expect as it relates to how things will shake out. I would venture to guess that the starters will be Snyder and Hooker. However, Gervase was voted by the players to the leadership council. He definitely must be one of the leaders on the D ... and he's definitely going to play a lot. So what are they going to do with having 3 guys who are "starters?" Heck, Stone is a talent in his own right ... if he continues to improve ... it could be hard to keep him off the field too!

 

[hawk_it]

I'm Thinking both these guys get early shots at back-up cornerback.
RS FR Josh Turner 5'11"
RS FR Trey Creamer 6'0"

 

[nu2u]

I'm Thinking both these guys get early shots at back cornerback.
RS FR Josh Turner 5'11"
RS FR Trey Creamer 6'0"

No doubt these players will get shots but I don't see either guy moving Michael Ojemudia out of the starting line-up, especially since Parker likes OJ a lot and he is a major reason Rugamba is leaving.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Been an Iowa football fan since the 60's. So happy to have one of the true strengths of the team is in the defensive backfield! It seems Iowa has always had some talent back there at a position or two, but to put 4 or 5 guys on the field with this kind of talent is special.

 

[DaCDiggity]

Roberts? I think he's a sleeper!

Love Roberts, being with JJ can't hurt either

 

[H4wkfan4life]

only 1 cb that is above sophomore? CRAZY! and practically zero experience at lb. half the D is going to have little to no experience, which is certainly a concern.
they'll improve and be better by end of year, but will they be ready for the first 4 games.....that is a big question mark. they(dbs) certainly struggled against isu last year.

 

[DaCDiggity]

No doubt these players will get shots but I don't see either guy moving Michael Ojemudia out of the starting line-up, especially since Parker likes OJ a lot and he is a major reason Rugamba is leaving.

If OJ struggles the youngins will get there shot

 

[nu2u]

If OJ struggles the youngins will get there shot

Yes, of course. Same with the other projected starter at CB - Matt Hankins.

Keep in mind, though, that Phil Parker typically affords his 1st team DBs room to play through "bad" stretches. He has done this for so many CBs over the years..... including e.g. Desmond King for parts of his freshman and sophomore years and thank god he did because King got absolutely schooled a few times early in his career but he steadily got better, eventually elite.

 

[Hawkfan_08]

I just like the athleticism of Stone. Man do I want that guy to start. I still think Hooker had earned his spot. I feel confident in those two in the back.

The cb position is really interesting. I dont feel like I have a good read on either starter but Parker seems to trust Hankins. I love the depth at the position though.

 

[iowa surfer]

I believe Brandon Snyder will start at Safety if is he is 100%. Can't go wrong with any of those 4 guys though. Very good problem for Parker to wrestle with. Gervase, in particular, really came on strong at the end of last season.

Brandon part-linebacker in passing and blitzing situations?

 

[millhawk]

I just like the athleticism of Stone. Man do I want that guy to start. I still think Hooker had earned his spot. I feel confident in those two in the back.

The cb position is really interesting. I dont feel like I have a good read on either starter but Parker seems to trust Hankins. I love the depth at the position though.

Stone will probably start in '19. We need Gervase back there this year.

 

[Harbinger273]

Stone will probably start in '19. We need Gervase back there this year.

Yep Gervase has worked himself into too solid a player not to start back there this season. Obviously the other has to be Hooker as he is budding star. Then in 19 Stone after seeing quality spot reps this season Stone will be a very strong player at Safety. I foresee Craddieth starting alongside him.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

only 1 cb that is above sophomore? CRAZY! and practically zero experience at lb. half the D is going to have little to no experience, which is certainly a concern.
they'll improve and be better by end of year, but will they be ready for the first 4 games.....that is a big question mark. they(dbs) certainly struggled against isu last year.

They'll be ready, because f*** Iowa State. That's why.

 

[H4wkfan4life]

They'll be ready, because f*** Iowa State. That's why.

I hope so! At least we know we'll have no problem scoring points

 

[lonewolf52]

I agree that Brents will start out at CB and I believe will get his chances much like Hankins did last year ending the year in the top 3-4 CBs.

By next year I would love to see

CB:
- Hankins
- Brents
- Creamer
- Johnson

Free Safety
- Hooker
- Gervase

Strong Safety
- Craddieth
- Stone

I am REALLY high on both Brents and Craddieth.

 

[Hawkfan_08]

Just asking an honest question and not trying to be argumentative...

What do people see in Gervase that would make you take him over Stone? I felt Stone read the game well for the limited amount he was in and tackles well in the open field. He also seems to have more speed than Gervase.

It is always a good problem to have too many good players.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Just asking an honest question and not trying to be argumentative...

What do people see in Gervase that would make you take him over Stone? I felt Stone read the game well for the limited amount he was in and tackles well in the open field. He also seems to have more speed than Gervase.

It is always a good problem to have too many good players.

He was voted by his teammates to be on the leadership council ... so guys look up to him as a leader on the team. Early in the season, his position was a little off as it related to how he handled his run-fills ... however, as the season progressed, he improved a lot in that regard. However, as it relates to his execution against the pass ... he was very solid. Lastly, as a FS, he really knows the defense very well ... and through last season, I he proved that he could be an excellent communicator. Given that the FS is the QB of the secondary .... it's critical that the FS is a good communicator.

I'm as excited about Stone as anybody ... but the most quality reps he saw was against Illinois and Nebraska ... not exactly world-beaters. However, in those games - he sure was productive. I think that he'll be a great safety for us ... and I expect that he'll see the field plenty in '18 ... however, I don't see it necessary that he starts quite yet.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

I agree that Brents will start out at CB and I believe will get his chances much like Hankins did last year ending the year in the top 3-4 CBs.

By next year I would love to see

CB:
- Hankins
- Brents
- Creamer
- Johnson

Free Safety
- Hooker
- Gervase

Strong Safety
- Craddieth
- Stone

I am REALLY high on both Brents and Craddieth.

Gervase graduates after the '18 season. Barring injury, I would expect that starters in '19 at safety to be Hooker and Stone. I expect Craddieth to make a nice splash and see a lot of packaged action in '19 (likely playing the hybrid S/LB spot) ... and I think that he'll earn his stripes on special teams in '18.

I expect that Moss and Merriweather are guys who could legitimately surprise folks. Both guys flew completely under the radar ... but they both have excellent athleticism. Phil will be able to coach them up no problem ... so they'll get down the fundamentals ... and then they'll likely play WAY ABOVE their star-rating. Of course, as others suspect, Merriweather very likely might out-grow the safety spot ... he seems to have plenty of growth potential.

 

[Hawkfan_08]

He was voted by his teammates to be on the leadership council ... so guys look up to him as a leader on the team. Early in the season, his position was a little off as it related to how he handled his run-fills ... however, as the season progressed, he improved a lot in that regard. However, as it relates to his execution against the pass ... he was very solid. Lastly, as a FS, he really knows the defense very well ... and through last season, I he proved that he could be an excellent communicator. Given that the FS is the QB of the secondary .... it's critical that the FS is a good communicator.

I'm as excited about Stone as anybody ... but the most quality reps he saw was against Illinois and Nebraska ... not exactly world-beaters. However, in those games - he sure was productive. I think that he'll be a great safety for us ... and I expect that he'll see the field plenty in '18 ... however, I don't see it necessary that he starts quite yet.

Thanks for the response!

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Ball Hawking Safeties?

Collegiate action:
Snyder - 14 games started, 4 INTs and 3 forced fumbles
Hooker - 6 games started, 2 INTs and 0 forced fumbles
Gervase - 8 games started, 3 INTs and 0 forced fumbles
Stone - 0 games started, 1 INT and 0 forced fumbles

High school action (as a predictor of collegiate ball-skills):
Snyder - ??? no idea on the defensive side, but was a playmaking QB on O
Hooker - 11 INTs as a senior, was a playmaking QB and WR on O
Gervase - 8 INTs as a senior and 16 career INTs and was a playmaking QB on O.
Stone - 10 INTs as a senior and 17 career INTs and was a playmaking QB and WR on O.

The ball-skills of our safeties is pretty remarkable. I'm willing to predict that this year our safeties are going to get a TON of picks this year (as a unit, I bet they get around 10 INTs between the 4 of them).