4 days to kickoff: 4 reasons for optimism in 2023
The Iowa Hawkeyes‘ 2023 season is truly just days away now. With kickoff in sight, excitement for this 2023 campaign is reaching its fever pitch.
After a 2022 season highlighted by an all-time Iowa defense but a make your soul hurt offense, it’s time to turn the page on what was and start thinking about what is.
Let’s dive into the four reasons Iowa Hawkeyes fans can be optimistic about the team’s fortunes in 2023.
Cade McNamara
It’s the obvious, but the upgrade at quarterback positions this team for a potentially big season. Cade McNamara’s 2,576 passing yards and 15 touchdowns at Michigan in 2021 blows Spencer Petras’ 1,725 passing yards and five touchdown passes out of the water.
Though it might sound crazy to some that have watched every game Iowa has played each of the past two seasons, it’s not unthinkable that McNamara could actually eclipse those numbers this year if things go well in Iowa City.
Iowa doesn’t need McNamara to be a Heisman hopeful. It just needs him to make key throws in key spots and give the offense a chance to be competent and at times explosive. All of that has been lacking each of the past two seasons.
Combine that with a product defensively that is similar to what the Hawkeyes have been fielding and Iowa should be in the mix to win the Big Ten West.
Improved skill talent
With a better signal-caller and hopefully an improved offensive line, sixth-year wide receiver Nico Ragaini could be in for a career year. Iowa fans have a good idea of what they’re going to get out of the East Haven, Conn., product.
Now, pair Ragaini with a healthy Diante Vines. Add in transfers Seth Anderson and Kaleb Brown to go along with a crop of promising signees and the Hawkeyes finally have pass-catchers it can feel good about.
Both Anderson and Vines were impressive at Kids’ Day at Kinnick and Brown will only get better as he gets more snaps and practices under his belt. Brown’s athleticism is something the Hawkeye receiving corps has been lacking.
Tight end will remain a strength with Luke Lachey stepping into a leading role alongside fellow Michigan transfer tight end Erick All.
A reloaded front seven
Even with the projected loss of defensive tackle Noah Shannon to a season-long suspension, Iowa has bodies upon bodies up front. Yahya Black is a seasoned vet to pair alongside Logan Lee inside. Then, there’s also defensive tackles Aaron Graves and Jeremiah Pittman to be excited about. Along the edges, Deontae Craig and Joe Evans figure to be terrific.
At linebacker, Jay Higgins has been productive with 39 tackles last season. Now, it’s his time to shine in a full-time role. Elsewhere, Kyler Fisher has ascended to the starting Leo.
Of course, the lone defensive transfer portal addition helps set all of this over the top. A two-time, second-team All-ACC selection, Nick Jackson comes over from Virginia to Iowa after three straight seasons with more than 100 tackles.
A lockdown secondary
Cooper DeJean needs no introduction. But, just for good measure, DeJean hauled in five interceptions last season, three of which he took to the house for pick-sixes.
Jermari Harris returns from injury to start opposite DeJean at the other corner position. Then, at safety, Xavier Nwankpa is a rising star in college football. Like DeJean, the Southeast Polk product showcased his five-star talents by taking his own interception back for a touchdown against Kentucky in his lone start thus far. Quinn Schulte rounds out the starting safeties. And we can’t forget about Sebastian Castro at CASH or elsewhere if needed.
It’s a loaded group and should be one of the nation’s finest defensive backfields across the board.
What I'm unsure of
The offensive line. I really wanted to write that this group is another reason for optimism, but I need to see it to believe it. Not that they can’t return to what we associate Iowa football with, but it’s the one piece on this football team that I’m least confident about going in.
Transfer additions Rusty Feth and Daijon Parker weren’t listed as starters in the first depth chart. That doesn’t have to be a problem, and it also doesn’t have to be taken as a guarantee that both won’t factor in up front in a big way. Still, while this group has a lot in the way of collegiate starts under its belt, it’s time to put up or shut up.
Moving left to right, right now it’s Mason Richman at left tackle, Nick DeJong at left guard, center Logan Jones, right guard Connor Colby and right tackle Gennings Dunker.
If this group can be great, Iowa could be in for a historic season by Hawkeye standards.
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