Deep Dive: Defense
Seth Benson and Jack Campbell anchor the Iowa linebackers, but last year neither were available for season opener at Purdue.
Iowa opened 0-2 in the Big Ten last season. At least, if that is true in 2021, the Hawkeyes don't open playing back to back games with B1G West teams.
DEFENSIVE LINE
DE: John Waggoner (JR), Joe Evans (JR)
DT: Noah Shannon (JR), Lukas Van Ness (rFR)
DT: Yahya Black (rFR), Logan Lee (So)
DE: Zach VanValkenberg (SR), Deontae Craig (rFR)
Analysis: No changes to the defensive line, but it is worth nothing that Shannon did miss some time in fall camp and Black was working his way back from a minor injury, so he spent time working with the second unit early on. The starters at defensive end are as expected. Phil Parker feels that Evans can now be a three down end instead of a pass rush specialist. Two players to watch are Craig and fellow young defensive end Ethan Hurkett.
A lot is made of Iowa slow starts, but Iowa is 3-0 lately against Indiana and 5-0 against Iowa State.
This is a new team in 2021, but their is experience at all levels of the Iowa team, including a good room for special teams.
Just Do It, Iowa!
