The Halftime Herkys: Handing out midseason hardware to Hawkeyes’ stars
With the 2023 college football season officially at its midway point, it’s time to take stock of what we’ve seen so far from the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Iowa boasts a 5-1 overall record and a 2-1 mark in Big Ten play as it readies for a massive Big Ten West showdown at Wisconsin (4-1, 2-0 Big Ten).
In familiar Hawkeye fashion, the offense has been largely lifeless and unspectacular, while the defense and special teams have once again been mostly splendid.
Still, there’s been some key contributions across the board to lift Iowa to its 5-1 start across each of its units. Who are the stars so far in 2023?
In awards show fashion, let’s hand out some Halftime Herkys to Iowa’s best performers at the midway point.
Offensive Player of the Year
Josh: TE, Erick All. If things had played out differently in the health department with quarterback Cade McNamara or fellow tight end Luke Lachey, then maybe this is a different story. But, right now, Erick All is the team’s clear best offensive weapon. He leads the team in receptions (19), receiving yards (280), and touchdowns (3).
Riley: TE, Erick All. The tight end is the clear-cut leader in production for this offense. He blocks, catches, and can make plays with the ball. He has been Iowa’s go-to guy when they need something and has proven capable of it. Should he stay healthy, Kaleb Johnson could stake his claim at year’s end, but Erick All is a clear choice right now.
Jacob: TE, Erick All. The tight end has been fantastic for the Hawkeyes, looking potentially even better than he did at Michigan. Even after Lachey went down, he’s been a total superstar.
Defensive Player of the Year
Josh: CB, Cooper DeJean. Even as teams have tried to challenge him less often, DeJean hits the midway point with a pair of interceptions and four passes defensed. Iowa ranks 28th nationally in passing yards allowed per game (193.3) and No. 17 in scoring defense (16.3 points). Much of that is because DeJean effectively takes one-third of the field away from opponents.
Riley: LB, Jay Higgins. The linebacker had massive shoes to fill behind Jack Campbell and all he has done is lead the Power Five in tackles through six games. Higgins has 74 total tackles, which is third in the NCAA and his 12.3 tackles per game are second in the nation. Add in a forced fumble and a pick and you have another in the long lineage of outstanding Iowa linebackers.
Jacob: CB, Cooper DeJean. I mean, it has to be DeJean, right? For as great as linebacker Jay Higgins has been, DeJean has been as elite as they come at cornerback. Josh outlined it all. Such a complete player.
Special Teams Player of the Year
Josh: P, Tory Taylor. There’s an argument to be made for DeJean here, too. But, Tory Taylor has been marvelous once more. He is currently averaging 48.03 yards per punt and has seen 12-of-36 punts downed inside the opponents’ 20-yard line. Will Tory leave Iowa City as the most beloved specialist-exclusive Hawkeye of all time?
Riley: P, Tory Taylor. If I could pick the entire unit, I would. It has been that good. Drew Stevens is nearly automatic. Cooper DeJean is a weapon whenever a team kicks to him, as infrequently as that may become. But Tory Taylor is the key to Iowa’s field position game. The Aussie has a booming leg and commands his punts with pinpoint accuracy. Have to go with the fan favorite here.
Jacob: P, Tory Taylor. I’m going to keep stealing Josh’s answer, but I do think we need to give Taylor some more love. I think with the great overall play of DeJean, the best punter in the nation has sort of become lost in the shuffle.
Newcomer of the Year
Josh: LB, Nick Jackson. With Erick All having already been recognized, the contributions of Nick Jackson to this defense can’t go unnoticed. The 6-foot-1, 234 pound senior linebacker has already racked up 53 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, two pass breakups and a sack. That’s incredible production at the midway point.
Riley: LB, Nick Jackson. Hard to argue anyone but Erick All or Nick Jackson in this spot and Jackson gets the nod by a hair. All has been fantastic on offense, but Jackson has been beyond expectations defensively. He and Jay Higgins have 127 total tackles on the year. Jackson doesn’t just play in the interior, either. He is sideline-to-sideline and a perfect fit for Phil Parker.
Jacob: TE, Erick All. Since Josh already gave Nick Jackson recognition, I’m bringing it back to the big tight end All. Just look at his numbers in comparison to all of the other pass-catchers on the team.
Most Improved Player
Josh: LB, Jay Higgins. It’s been fun to watch someone’s season and career blossom the way Jay Higgins’ has here in 2023 after the patience and work he’s put into the program. Simply put, Higgins has been terrific.
Another strong consideration for the Hawkeyes’ Defensive Player of the Year, too. Higgins has 74 tackles already, which leads Iowa and ranks third nationally. His 12.3 tackles per game ranks second nationally, trailing only Old Dominion’s Jason Henderson.
Riley: CASH, Sebastian Castro. The hybrid position of Phil Parker’s scheme carries a lot of weight on their shoulders. They are asked to do a lot in the run game and passing defense. Sebastian Castro has done that. With two interceptions on the year already, he has shown he is ready.
Jacob: LB, Jay Higgins. I mean, who else could it be? In his first year as a true starting linebacker, Higgins leads the Big Ten in total tackles. Just a monster on the field.
The Unsung Hero
Josh: CASH, Sebastian Castro. Castro and Quinn Schulte both came to mind here. With a number of talented stars around him, Castro is the glue that holds this Iowa defense together. It was great to see him rewarded with his first career interception at Iowa State. And, a pick-six at that! He followed it up with another interception versus Michigan State.
Riley: DL, Joe Evans. Iowa’s leader in sacks with 2.5, tackles for loss with 6.5, and quarterback hits with seven, Evans is truly unsung for all of the dirty work that he does. The Ames, Iowa, native chose Iowa and has blossomed into a must-have player on the defensive line for the Hawkeyes. He is a vintage, hard-nosed, old-school guy who loves playing in the trenches.
Jacob: LB, Nick Jackson. While most of the attention on defense goes to Higgins and DeJean, transfer Nick Jackson has been fantastic this season. It took him a couple of games to adjust, but the former Cavalier has been a tackle machine for the Hawkeyes. He’s also forced a career-high two fumbles as well.
Freshman of the Year
Josh: RB, Kamari Moulton. In typical Iowa fashion, there’s not a ton to choose from here. Let’s go with running back Kamari Moulton who stepped in and delivered a two-touchdown performance against Western Michigan.
Riley: RB, Kamari Moulton. It is the way it goes for the Hawkeyes and Kirk Ferentz. Very rarely do freshmen play, let alone see a lot of playing time. That said, Moulton has 23 carries for 93 yards, an average of four yards a pop with two touchdowns to boot. At the very worst, Iowa has a reliable back they can turn to if needed.
Jacob: RB, Kamari Moulton. Yeah, not many freshmen play for Iowa. It’s just the way things are. When Kamari Moulton’s number was called against Western Michigan this year, he delivered. I’m excited to see him in the future!
Coach of the Year
Josh: Defensive Coordinator, Phil Parker. It’s between Parker and LeVar Woods. I’ll give the nod to Parker because of what he and the Hawkeye defense had to replace. Another great start to another campaign for Parker and Co.
Riley: Special Teams Coordinator, LeVar Woods. Iowa’s special teams unit has been among the best in the country. Woods doesn’t just have great punting, great coverage, and great returns, but he has this unit coached up to such an incredibly high level of football intelligence that it is a joy to watch.
This unit downs punts, understands the goal and the game, and does everything right. LeVar Woods’ unit is having an outstanding year. The only reason he gets the nod above Phil Parker is that the defense has been built into this high level of production already.
Jacob: Defensive Coordinator, Phil Parker. Iowa should just write a blank check and pay whatever Phil Parker and special teams coach LeVar Woods want. Both have carried an inept Iowa offense way further than they deserve. Parker lost a ton of veteran playmakers on defense and has found replacements right away. That’s special.
MVP
Josh: CB, Cooper DeJean. What DeJean provides to Iowa is simply sensational. He entered 2023 as a perceived first-round 2024 NFL draft selection. The Odebolt, Iowa, native has only enhanced those opinions. For a team led by its defense and special teams, DeJean is the Hawkeyes’ clear MVP.
Riley: CB, Cooper DeJean. The heart and soul of the Iowa Hawkeyes is Cooper DeJean. He has two interceptions and would be more if teams weren’t afraid to test him. He took the game-changing punt return for a touchdown against Michigan State. Cooper DeJean is the best and most valuable player Iowa has.
Jacob: CB, Cooper DeJean. Coop has been simply irreplaceable for the Hawkeyes over the past two years. Not only do you get lockdown coverage and turnover abilities on defense in DeJean, but he’s also a lethal punt returner. Iowa would be a much much worse team without him.
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