ESPN highlights Iowa Hawkeyes as top-10 college football defense entering 2023
There are countless eyes on the Iowa Hawkeyes offense in 2023 and rightfully so. On the other side of the ball, there are questions as well, but of a different variety.
Offensively, the question marks are around getting any upward tick in performance after a disastrous 2022. Defensively, the question is geared toward Iowa’s ability to sustain such an incredibly high level of play shutting down opponent’s offenses after turnover in several key places.
There is a lot of promise and hope that this defense does just that and can finally pair it with a consistent offensive output. If the offense can turn things around even a little bit, it gives the Hawkeyes’ defense a bit more rest and doesn’t require them to be absolutely perfect every down.
That hope is permeating at ESPN as well as they believe the Hawkeyes are firmly among the nation’s top 10 defenses heading into 2023. ESPN broke down this unit and took a look at all things Iowa defense.
How the Hawkeyes have ranked
Defensive coordinator Phil Parker has built the Iowa Hawkeyes into something special on the defensive side of the ball. Just when you think they can’t get another stop or get one more turnover, they figure out a way to do just that. The last half decade has seen the Iowa defense morph itself into a nationally recognized unit with Parker at the helm.
No defense on this list bears a bigger burden than Iowa’s, which has overcome some baked-in recruiting challenges and its own offense to become a nationally elite unit. The team is 78-36 since 2014 and 51-23 since 2017, despite having an offense that ranks 91st and 93rd nationally in scoring over the same two spans. Even when Iowa’s offense plummeted to historic lows last season, the defense rose up, ranking No. 2 nationally in fewest points allowed (13.3 PPG) and sixth against the pass (169.5 YPG).
Since 2018, Iowa ranks second nationally behind Georgia in points allowed (16.1) and since 2017 leads the FBS in turnovers gained with 146. – Adam Rittenberg, ESPN
NFL departures
A great defense is a blessing and a curse. The curse is those talented individuals making the jump to the NFL. Jack Campbell went to the Detroit Lions, Lukas Van Ness to the Green Bay Packers, and Riley Moss to the Denver Broncos.
The Hawkeyes do have the ability to replace this production, though. Virginia transfer Nick Jackson should be a welcome replacement at linebacker while Cooper DeJean will lead the secondary. Add in an experienced defensive line to replace Van Ness’ production and the Hawkeyes will look to avoid any regression.
The Hawkeyes face some immediate challenges in 2023, having to replace NFL first-round draft picks Lukas Van Ness and Jack Campbell among others. – Rittenberg, ESPN
Returning fire power
I have said it before and I will say it again. Iowa’s defense doesn’t rebuild, it simply reloads. The defensive unit has turned into a machine that churns out talent across the board each year. That is no different as they are led by one of college football’s most explosive players and predicted future first-round draft pick, Cooper DeJean.
But the group also brings back star power and experience, including cornerback Cooper DeJean (five interceptions in 2022) and defensive end Deontae Craig (6.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles). – Rittenberg, ESPN
Strong at all three levels
The Hawkeyes are always stout in the run game and that comes from a history of strong play in the box. It might not always be the most flashy plays but rarely are the Hawkeyes out of position and lacking fundamentals in the run game. That sets up their secondary.
Iowa often shuts down opponent’s running games, which can set up third-and-long situations. That opens the door for Phil Parker to get exotic with his blitz packages and the secondary can sit on a pass play.
Craig joins veteran linemen Joe Evans, Noah Shannon and Logan Lee to form what should be one of the nation’s best fronts. Defensive coordinator Phil Parker’s secondaries have been consistently strong and often excellent, and DeJean will lead a group that includes veterans Quinn Schulte, Jermari Harris and Sebastian Castro, and an emerging young star in Xavier Nwankpa, an ESPN 300 recruit in 2022. Iowa has some holes to fill at linebacker, but the unit’s history under Parker suggests another top-10-type season, especially since the offense can’t get much worse. – Rittenberg, ESPN
Rest of the top 10
Iowa Hawkeyes
Florida State Seminoles
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