CBS Sports stamps Iowa Hawkeyes as top-three DB room in America

No fly zone.

It feels like each year there is hype and expectations that the Iowa Hawkeyes are somehow going to be just as good, if not better, on the defensive side of the football.

This is largely due in part to the wizardry of defensive coordinator Phil Parker and his ability to shut opposing offenses down. Another large part of the equation is the experience Iowa breeds in its secondary.

Iowa is returning four starters to the secondary this year: Quinn Schulte, Xavier Nwankpa, Jermari Harris and Sebastian Castro. The four of them have the Hawkeyes as one of the best defensive back units in America.

CBS Sports has slotted the Iowa Hawkeyes as the No. 3 defensive back room in the country ahead of the 2024 college football season.

Here’s what Cameron Salerno had to say about the Hawkeyes.

Iowa’s defense starts with reigning Broyles Award winner Phil Parker, who is considered one of the best defensive coordinators in the country. Parker will coach a group led by the top slot cornerback in the nation, Sebastian Castro. With DeJean off to the NFL, Castro headlines a unit that ranked No. 15 in passing yards allowed (172.2) and No. 4 in scoring defense (13.2) in 2023.

Xavier Nwankpa is a breakout name to watch, and Quinn Schulte slots next to him on the back line. Jermari Harris recorded 42 tackles and an interception in 12 starts, while Deshaun Lee made six starts at corner last season. With some moderate improvements to last year’s lackluster offense, the defense could propel Iowa to a spot in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. – Salerno, CBS Sports.

Ahead of Iowa are the Ohio State Buckeyes at No. 1 and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at No. 2. The rest of the top five after Iowa is the Georgia Bulldogs at No. 4 and the Michigan Wolverines at No. 5.

Iowa’s group of defensive backs is returning substantial production. The group combined for 216 tackles, 22 pass breakups, 13.5 tackles for loss, six interceptions and even contributed two sacks.

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