After the defensive output that the Iowa Hawkeyes delivered in 2022, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them take a small step back on defense in 2023. It is hard to repeat their output as one of the best defensive units in the country and one of the best Iowa has ever seen.
All of that makes sense except for the fact that ESPN believes they may just go and be even better in 2023. The Hawkeyes top their defensive projections for next season. ESPN’s Bill Connelly provided his SP+ ratings which is combination of three items that he details.
Those three weighted factors are returning production, recent recruiting, and recent history. For the Hawkeyes, all three of those items break their way. They are returning Cooper DeJean to lead the defense, Xavier Nwankpa, Jay Higgins, and many others.
Recruiting has landed them another load of recruits to develop and turn into the next stout defensive unit. And as far as history goes, Iowa has arguably the best recent history of any defensive unit in the entire country. Here is a look at the Hawkeyes’ projections.