Iowa College Football Preview 2021: Top Players
Best Iowa Offensive Player
RB Tyler Goodson, Jr.
Good as a freshman, the 5-10 200-pound Goodson ran for 638 yards and five scores as part of a good rotation, and last year the All-Big Ten back took over to make the running game more of his job with a team-high 762 yards and seven scores. A decent receiver with excellent quickness, he caught 39 passes for 318 yards in his first two years.
2. C Tyler Linderbaum, Jr.
3. QB Spencer Petras, Jr.
4. OT Cody Ince, Jr.
5. TE Sam LaPorta, Jr.
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Best Iowa Defensive Player
DE Zach VanValkenburg, Sr.
Don’t expect a whole lot of flash, and there are plenty of interesting options in the back seven to potentially be labeled as the best Iowa defensive player, but VanValkenburg should be an All-Big Ten performer with his 6-4, 270-pound size, toughness against the run, and decent ability to get behind the line. The stats will be fine, but his steadiness will be big up front.
2. S Jack Koerner, Sr.
3. LB Seth Benson, Jr.
4. CB Matt Hankins, Sr.
5. CB Riley Moss, Sr.
Top Incoming Iowa Transfer
S Xavior Williams, Sr.
It’ll be tough to bust through and be a major part of a secondary that’s already loaded at safety, but the 5-11, 190-pound former Northern Iowa star has to be on the field. A versatile playmaker for the Panthers, he’s a broken up pass machine who earned freshman FCS All-America honors and was a two-time All-Missouri Valley Conference pick.