Iowa has a pair of established national stars on defense in linebacker Jack Campbell and cornerback Riley Moss.
Campbell finished the 2021 season with 143 tackles, which led the nation. As a result, the 6-foot-5, 246 pound native of Cedar Falls, Iowa, picked up second-team All-America honors from the Football Writers Association of America and Phil Steele. He was also a first-team All-Big Ten selection by the league’s media and Phil Steele.
Meanwhile, Moss nabbed first-team All-America recognition from Sporting News, was named the Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year and picked up first-team All-Big Ten honors from the league coaches and media. That came after the 6-foot-1, 193 pound corner from Ankeny, Iowa, intercepted four passes last season.
Both Campbell and Moss have been popular preseason watch list selections and All-America choices. The latest instance was Campbell and Moss being named to the preseason Bednarik Award watch list.
While Iowa fans are familiar with the following names, here’s five Hawkeyes that could emerge as national stars in 2022 and have college football fans wondering why they weren’t on their radar heading into this season.