Top 10 Iowa Hawkeyes for the 2023 Season
The top 10 Iowa Hawkeye football players for the 2023 season.
It takes a special talent to be included on a list like this, representing the best of the best from your school. Iowa football has been amongst the best in the Big Ten conference throughout the entirety of the 2000s era.
Under the leadership of longtime head coach Kirk Ferentz, Iowa has failed to produce a single losing season over the past decade. They have been a standard for sustained success in one of the nation’s premier conferences while being one of the best talent pipelines to the NFL.
Success at Iowa typically results in a shot at the NFL. Multiple former Hawkeyes are making waves at the pro level. The dominance at positions such as tight end, defensive back, and, of course, the offensive line have been areas of pride for the University of Iowa.
There is great buzz around this 2023 team as the Hawkeyes look to return to the Big Ten championship for the first time since winning the west in 2021. Led by some new faces, here are the top 10 Iowa Hawkeyes for the 2023 season.
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Xavier Nwankpa, Safety
Sure, this is a bit of a premature addition to the top-10 list. Xavier Nwankpa has literally only started in one game for the Iowa Hawkeyes, yet he was the star in that game. Seven solo tackles and a pick-six in the bowl game against Kentucky.
For an Iowa program that prides itself on developing undervalued recruits, X was a rare five-star for the program. Iowa’s new starting safety has the size and athleticism you look for in a superstar. He has infinite potential, and may finish as the Hawkeye’s best player in 2023.
Cade McNamara, Quarterback
Cade McNamara is a tough player to rank because he is the most valuable player on this team. Make no mistake about it folks, the way this season goes is the way Cade McNamara goes. We saw that last year with Iowa’s atrocious quarterback play. Cade is a solid, if not unspectacular, signal caller who will hopefully provide just enough to take the Iowa offense to another level.
Logan Lee, Defensive Tackle
Logan Lee is an underrated player who has just gotten better each year for Iowa. Forming a stellar partnership with fellow list mate Noah Shannon, Lee is tasked with doing a lot of the dirty work in the middle for the Iowa defense. The defensive tackles are charged with taking on blockers, freeing up the linebackers to swoop in and stop the running backs in their tracks.
Lee totaled eight tackles for loss and three sacks last season.
Noah Shannon, Defensive Tackle
A lot of what was said for Logan Lee rings true for Noah Shannon. I have Shannon just a slight bit higher. Noah Shannon is a player who has done nothing but impress me over the past two years. He is a master of clearing out the trenches, and is just a handful for interior linemen with his great strength.
Iowa is lucky to have him back one last season.
Luke Lachey, Tight End
Iowa has another star tight end in the making in junior Luke Lachey. Lachey actually outperformed second-round pick Sam LaPorta last year, leading Iowa in receiving touchdowns with four. No other pass catcher had more than a single touchdown.
Lachey is a big, athletic red zone threat who showed last year he is totally capable of performing as a number one option. He will be flanked by Michigan transfer Erick All — consider All an honorable mention on this list.
Kaleb Johnson, Running Back
Because this is my list, I will be ranking Kaleb Johnson higher than most.
Sure, it’s a bit predictive, but we all saw the talent on display last year. Johnson was quite literally the lone bright spot on one of the worst Power Five offenses a year ago. Watch back his 200-yard game against Purdue and tell me he doesn’t have star talent?
If Iowa’s offensive line can perform any bit better, and if Cade McNamara and the passing attack can help clear up the box, look for Johnson to breakout as one of the top rushers in the Big Ten.
Deontae Craig, Defensive End
While the Hawkeyes lose an impact defensive lineman in Lukas Van Ness, they return last year’s sack leader Deontae Craig. Oh, you didn’t know Craig led Iowa in sacks last year? You would if you read his snapshot profile, which you still can here.
Nick Jackson, Linebacker
While a transfer from the ACC’s Virginia, there’s no denying the success Nick Jackson has had over the past three years. Seriously, it’s rare for a team to just be able to add a three-time 100-tackle linebacker. Jackson will start at weakside linebacker next to Jay Higgins.
Tory Taylor, Punter
“What?! The punter?”
That’s right other fans reading this list, Tory Taylor deserves to be second on this list, and any Iowa fan knows it. A First-Team All-American, Taylor did as much to help Iowa’s offense score points last year with his great field position shifts as anyone on the offense. He is the best punter in the Big Ten, and arguably the nation.
Cooper DeJean, Cornerback
Who else could have been number one?
It was always going to be cornerback Cooper DeJean. Playing at Cash and cornerback last year, DeJean was a breakout superstar for the Hawkeyes. One of the best coverage corners in the conference, DeJean intercepted five passes, returning three for touchdowns. He also added 75 tackles, and is one of the best gunners on special teams in Iowa football history.
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