Lindy’s annual college football preview magazine hit the shelves nationally several weeks back.
The publication shared its preseason Big Ten power rankings. Iowa just missed Lindy’s preseason top five within the league power rankings, checking in at No. 6.
Lindy’s is particularly high on what the Hawkeyes have coming back on the defensive side of the football. The publication included both Iowa’s linebackers and defensive backs in its national top 10 position group rankings.
As a matter of fact, according to Lindy’s, Iowa’s linebacker and defensive back units each rank No. 6 nationally among their position group rankings.
Lindy’s had this to say about the Hawkeyes’ linebackers:
Jay Higgins and Nick Jackson are the playmakers who led the Hawkeyes in college football’s most impressive defense last year, and both of them are back in 2024. Higgins led the whole country in tackles last season and Jackson wasn’t far behind. – Lindy’s.
Higgins finished his 2023 season with 171 tackles to lead the nation and to tie the Hawkeyes’ all-time single-season tackles record alongside Andre Jackson.
Jackson joined Iowa as a transfer from Virginia ahead of last season. The 6-foot graduate linebacker tallied his fourth straight season with 100-plus tackles, finishing the 2023 campaign with 110 tackles.
The Hawkeyes’ defensive backfield is expected to be one of the nation’s finest as well. Lindy’s shared its thoughts on the Iowa defensive backs:
Cooper DeJean is gone to the Philadelphia Eagles, but plenty of talent returns for the Hawkeyes at the back end. Sebastian Castro, Xavier Nwankpa and Quinn Schulte have all made plays and Benn reliable at the safety position. Phil Parker has a lot to work with in the secondary once again. – Lindy’s.
Castro and Schulte were third and fourth in tackles last season for Iowa, respectively. Castro tallied 67 tackles, while Schulte registered 65. The pair also combined for four interceptions, including Castro’s 30-yard pick-six in the Hawkeyes’ 20-13 rivalry win over Iowa State.
Nwankpa added 42 tackles, two pass breakups, two quarterback hurries and one interception. Graduate cornerback Jermari Harris returns as well after also tallying 42 tackles and recording eight pass breakups and one interception.
DeShaun Lee is projected to start at the cornerback position opposite Harris. The sophomore defensive back started six games for Iowa last season, finishing with 32 tackles and three pass breakups.
Collectively, Iowa’s defense brings back 192 career starts.
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