Tag: Dane Belton

Former Hawkeye and current NFL safety Micah Hyde calls Iowa a ‘cheat code’ to the NFL

Former Iowa Hawkeye and current Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde said that “going to Iowa was a cheat code” to the NFL.

The Iowa Hawkeyes just received some of the highest praise possible from one of their own currently starting in the NFL. While on the Pat McAfee Show, Buffalo Bills safety [autotag]Micah Hyde[/autotag] was asked about what Iowa did to prepare him to get to the NFL. His answer was clear cut.

“Iowa is an NFL program fresh out of high school. You come in your freshman year with Coach Ferentz and I had Coach Parker as my position coach back then so I saw him all day every day. They get you ready for the NFL,” Hyde said to McAfee.

What Hyde says is no exaggeration. Iowa is becoming one of the premier schools that is continuously sending defensive backs to the NFL that are not only latching onto a team but becoming contributors. Right now, there are 10 former Iowa Hawkeyes safeties or cornerbacks calling NFL teams home.

Dane Belton, Jake Gervase, Matt Hankins, Amani Hooker, Micah Hyde, Desmond King II, Jack Koerner, Greg Mabin, Michael Ojemudia, and Geno Stone are all products of the Hawkeyes’ program.

That is just the list of former Iowa players roaming NFL secondaries. Overall, Iowa has 48 players currently in the NFL. That is good enough for the ninth-most players in the NFL from all colleges.

Hyde went on to provide the best recruiting pitch of all later on in the interview. His statement resonates and the reaction of the show members tell you everything about just how powerful what he said was.

“Going to Iowa was definitely a cheat code and that’s why they produce so many NFL players because Coach Ferentz gets you ready,” Hyde said.

The players in the NFL speak for itself. Their production at Iowa last year speaks for itself as the Hawkeyes led the nation in interceptions with 25. The NFL bloodline is likely to continue with returning All-American [autotag]Riley Moss[/autotag] looking to become the next Hawkeye to make the jump. The recruiting is showing as Iowa landed five-star safety recruit [autotag]Xavier Nwankpa[/autotag].

The Iowa Hawkeyes continue to grow their reputation for development. They are now seeing that development turn into consistently winning on the field, a high-powered recruiting tool, and evidence that they will give their guys the best chance to make it to the NFL.

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PFF names Dane Belton the Giants’ ‘biggest draft gem’

Pro Football Focus has named safety Dane Belton (114th pick overall) the New York Giants’ “biggest gem” from the 2022 NFL draft.

Pro Football Focus named rookie New York Giants safety, Dane Belton, as the team’s biggest gem from the 2022 NFL draft.

Here’s what PFF had to say and how Belton will impact other players, including Julian Love:

The Value: The nickel safety position is a more coveted role in today’s pass-happy NFL. Getting such an impactful talent in Belton during the middle rounds is a valuable asset for Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale.

The Player: Belton starred in his final college season at Iowa with the highest PFF coverage grade of his career (82.3). Playing as Iowa’s “cash” defender, Belton thrived as a slot safety, allowing a 66.0 passer rating across 315 coverage snaps. He packs a powerful punch at 6-foot-1 and has shown an ability to thrive in a zone coverage slot role when given the opportunity (89.4 zone coverage grade in 2021).

The Roster Impact: Julian Love, a fourth-rounder in 2019, hasn’t been an ideal starting safety for the Giants. He allowed a troubling 108.7 passer rating in slot coverage in 2021, and his overall coverage grade hasn’t topped 60.0 in the two seasons since his rookie campaign. Belton being able to earn his stripes during training camp will go a long way toward him winning the slot safety job in 2022.

The Giants selected Belton with the 114th overall pick in this year’s draft as Bug Blue was desperate to get some help at the safety position. After losing Logan Ryan and Jabrill Peppers this offseason, the Giants were left with Xavier McKinney and Julian Love as the only safeties on the roster.

This is where Belton comes into play. The Giants will need to have depth behind these two starters and hopefully someone to challenge Love as he has been a below-average pass defender.

While it was in college, Belton allowed only a 66.0 passer rating in 315 coverage snaps from the slot. He also posted a PFF coverage grade of 82.3 in 2021 and a PFF zone coverage grade of 89.4 last season.

This is stellar production from a fourth-round pick and Belton’s amazing performance in 2021 also showed in the stat sheet. The Iowa alum recorded five interceptions and demonstrated his ability to come downhill and tackle while also posting 46 tackles in his last collegiate season.

If Belton can continue this development he should definitely find himself in the mix for some serious playing time come Week 1 in Tennessee.

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Iowa Hawkeyes’ Dane Belton drafted by the New York Giants

Iowa’s Dane Belton was drafted by the New York Giants in the 2022 NFL draft’s fourth round with the 114th overall pick.

Iowa’s Dane Belton became the second Hawkeye to be selected in the 2022 NFL draft. Belton is off to the Big Apple after the New York Giants drafted him with the 114th overall pick in the draft’s fourth round.

The Tampa, Fla., native has a chance to impact the Giants straight away. As Giants Wire noted, New York was down to just two safeties after releasing Logan Ryan last month. Now, Belton will join a group of New York Giants safeties that includes Xavier McKinney and Julian Love.

The 6-foot-1, 205 pound Belton finished the 2021 season with 46 tackles, three tackles for loss, three quarterback hurries and seven pass breakups for the Hawkeyes. Belton also finished fourth nationally last season with his five interceptions.

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll met with the media following the conclusion of the 2022 NFL draft and discussed the Giants’ selection of Belton.

“Dane Belton, another guy we liked. The versatility in the player. You know, he’s got ball skills, he can play from depth, he can play down in the box, he can play nickel,” Schoen said of Belton.

In a Twitter video of Belton on the Giants’ account, it looks and sounds like he’s fired up for this draft marriage as well.

“What’s up, Giants Nation? This is Dane Belton here, newest member of the New York Giants. Man, I can’t wait to get up to New York, get to work, be a a part of this great organization and y’all going to get all of me, man. I promise that,” Belton said.

With the selection, Belton becomes the 17th defensive back selected in the Kirk Ferentz era. He’s the 81st player coached by Ferentz at Iowa to be selected in the NFL draft. Playing both outside linebacker and strong safety, Belton earned first-team All-Big Ten honors this past season from both league coaches and media.

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2022 NFL draft: Giants select S Dane Belton in Round 4

With the No. 114 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, the New York Giants select Iowa safety Dane Belton.

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With the No. 114 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, the New York Giants select Iowa safety Dane Belton.

Like tight end two picks earlier, it was clear the Giants needed to add depth at safety entering the draft. After releasing veteran Logan Ryan, the Giants were down to just two safeties on the roster — one of whom plays multiple other positions.

Belton will fit well in Wink Martindale’s defensive system, which often calls for blitzes and extra defenders in the box. He’ll also compliment Xavier McKinney, who is more of a free safety.

Here is what NFL Network draft guru Lance Zierlein had to say about Belton:

Belton’s interception total and overall ball production from Iowa’s hybrid “Cash” spot certainly grab your attention, but they might not be indicative of his NFL projection. Belton has average size, can line up over tight ends and excels in short-zone coverages, where his ball skills and anticipation bring him to the action. He lacks the suddenness to stay with route breaks underneath and will be exploited if asked to cover on the back end. Belton has the physical ability for run support, but defensive coordinators are sure to be concerned about his trouble reading keys and locating the football on the collegiate level.

Belton joins a safety group that currently consists of the aforementioned McKinney and Julian Love.

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Final 2022 NFL draft big board rankings for Iowa Hawkeyes center Tyler Linderbaum

How is Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum regarded across 2022 NFL draft big boards from the experts?

It’s officially day one of the 2022 NFL draft and it could be a night to remember for Iowa center [autotag]Tyler Linderbaum[/autotag]. There’s all sorts of varying ideas of where the Solon, Iowa, native might be selected in the 2022 NFL draft. Plenty of experts are forecasting a first-round selection for Linderbaum.

Hawkeyes Wire took a look at some of the final 2022 NFL mock draft projections for Linderbaum. While both ESPN draft experts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay left Linderbaum out of the first round in their final 2022 NFL mock drafts, there are others that view Linderbaum as a potential first-round fit all over the place.

CBS Sports’ Will Brinson and Ryan Wilson had Linderbaum being selected No. 18 overall by the Philadelphia Eagles and No. 20 overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers, respectively. Meanwhile, FOX Sports’ Jason McIntyre and NBC Sports’ Peter King both predicted Linderbaum to land with the Dallas Cowboys at pick No. 24. ESPN’s Matt Miller forecasted the Houston Texans to orchestrate a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs and move back in the first round to the No. 29 overall pick and select Linderbaum there.

With all of the final 2022 NFL mock drafts out of the way, it’s now time to take a peek at how some of the leading experts view Linderbaum in regards to the draft class as a whole. Where does the Solon, Iowa, native fall on draft experts’ big boards and what do they have to say about Linderbaum?

Iowa Hawkeyes boast ability to mold seniors into NFL talent

The Iowa Hawkeyes are no stranger to producing NFL talent. Let’s look at three senior NFL talents coming from Iowa.

The Iowa Hawkeyes are no strangers to delivering NFL-caliber talent year in and year out. They are doing so at a clip unseen by many college football teams. This gives credence to their ability to bring in under-recruited, undersized, and overlooked prospects and turn them into stars.

With the NFL draft now only two days away, the Hawkeyes have a handful of prospects that will be taking their talents to new homes across the country. True to Iowa fashion, most of these prospects have spent multiple years in Iowa City developing, getting stronger, and turning into high-quality prospects.

As tweeted by the official Iowa Hawkeyes Football account, 87% of their senior starters over the last 20 years have gotten their shot in the NFL via the draft or signed as a free agent.

At a program like Iowa, where the model is to spend the first year redshirting and developing, their starters are very senior heavy. Just last year alone, the Hawkeyes had eight senior starters across the three units.

This year should be no exception. Three former seniors waiting to find out their new home are defensive back Matt Hankins, defensive back Jack Koerner, and defensive end Zach VanValkenburg.

Hankins, a five-year player for Iowa, gives NFL teams instant depth at defensive back. Coming from a proven defense and experience in the form of 37 straight starts, he becomes a great plug-and-play piece for a team needing help in the secondary.

Projecting as a day-three pick, Hankins is going to likely be a solid contributor early on for the team that snags him on Saturday. He is the type of player that when drafted, teams know what they are getting. In a late-round pick, that is a gem of a selection.

Koerner is another in a long line of Hawkeye safeties that is going to get a shot at the next level. Being a four-year player and seeing time in 36 games, Koerner has found a way to succeed and that is due to his willingness to contribute in run defense.

He will add size once an NFL team gets their hands on him and that will only help him excel. Koerner projects as an undrafted free agent and is going to push incumbents for a spot on the depth chart.

VanValkenburg really came on last year for Iowa down the stretch. The defensive end improved his draft stock in his final game at the Vrbo Citrus Bowl with 2.5 tackles for loss and two sacks against Kentucky.

While he doesn’t show the athleticism of some of the first-round talents, he more than makes up for it with his relentlessness to always find himself in a position to make a play. VanValkenburg will likely sign as an undrafted free agent but is one that can make a roster and be a contributor for a rotational defensive line with his toughness and Iowa defensive pedigree.

Iowa continues to churn out quality prospects year after year and the 2022 NFL draft should be no exception. While center [autotag]Tyler Linderbaum[/autotag], safety [autotag]Dane Belton[/autotag] and running back [autotag]Tyler Goodson[/autotag] are all expected to hear their names called, these seniors who were part of an experience-rich foundation for Iowa will also have their chance to continue the Hawkeyes’ way of producing NFL talent.

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Giants load up in latest Dane Brugler mock draft

Dane Brugler has released his 7-round mock draft and in it, the New York Giants get the best projected haul we’ve seen yet.

Three edge rushers go off the board over the first four picks in Dane Brugler’s latest mock draft for The Athletic, which certainly thins things out for the New York Giants.

With offensive lineman Ikem Ekwonu also going to the Houston Texans at No. 4 overall, it leaves the Giants with few ideal options. But one of those just so happens to be Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal.

Regardless of what happens with the first four picks, the organization and first-year general manager Joe Schoen have to feel good about what will be left for them at No. 5. Neal offers outstanding flexibility, both as a 340-pound blocker and with his versatility to play right tackle or guard.

As anticipated, the Carolina Panthers then select a quarterback (Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett), leaving the Giants with a choice between Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner and Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton.

They choose the sauce.

If the Giants are unable to trade back and add draft assets for next year, a plug-and-play blocker at No. 5 and shut down corner at No. 7 feels like the ideal scenario for Schoen and the Giants. Gardner has the length, speed and confidence that should translate well to the pro game.

In Round 2, Brugler sees the Giants add to their pass rush with the selection of Penn State’s Arnold Ebiketie.

From there, the Giants make the following selections:

  • No. 67: Dylan Parham, OG/C, Memphis
  • No. 81: John Metchie, WR, Alabama
  • No. 112: James Cook, RB, Georgia
  • No. 147: Dane Belton, S, Iowa
  • No. 173: Isaiah Likely, TE, Coastal Carolina
  • No. 182: Jeremiah Gemmel, LB, North Carolina

Arguably, this is the best seven-round mock draft we’ve seen for the Giants all year. It addresses most of their primary needs and many of their secondary needs, leaving them in much better shape than pre-draft. However, there’s no guarantee Belton will come in and have immediate impact and although intelligent, Gemmel doesn’t really provide the Giants the impact linebacker they are seeking.

But that’s the issue the Giants face — even with nine selections in the draft. Their roster is so thinned out that no matter how well they do in the draft, areas of need will remain.

Still, this draft would satisfy most Giants fans.

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ESPN’s 7-round NFL mock draft would be a dream scenario for Broncos

This mock draft has OT Bernhard Raimann falling to the Broncos in the 2nd round, followed by ILB Chad Muma and OLB Nik Bonitto in the 3rd round.

ESPN’s Jordan Reid recently published a complete seven-round 2022 NFL mock draft (subscription required for link), including all eight picks for the Denver Broncos.

With their first pick in Reid’s mock, the Broncos select Central Michigan offensive tackle Bernhard Raimann at No. 64 overall. This would be a dream scenario for Denver because Raimann falling to the bottom of the second round would be a surprise.

The Broncos get another gem in the third round when Wyoming linebacker Chad Muma falls to them at No. 75. Denver landing Raimann and Muma without having to make any trades would be a great start to the draft.

After that, the Broncos land Oklahoma edge defender Nik Bonitto, which would represent another smart value selection at No. 96 overall.

To finish out the draft, Denver selects Fayetteville State cornerback Joshua Williams (No. 115), BYU running back Tyler Allgeier (No. 116), Tennessee defensive back Alontae Taylor (No. 145), Florida offensive tackle Jean Delance (No. 206) and Iowa safety Dane Belton (No. 232).

This would be a fantastic draft for the Broncos as it would fill the biggest needs of OT, ILB, OLB, RB and CB with excellent candidates.

The first five picks alone would make this mock an A+ class. To view the complete seven-round mock draft, visit ESPN (subscription required).

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Iowa Hawkeyes safety Dane Belton mocked to Denver Broncos in ESPN’s 7-round mock draft

ESPN’s Jordan Reid has Iowa’s Dane Belton landing with the Denver Broncos in his seven-round 2022 NFL mock draft.

ESPN’s Jordan Reid put together a full seven-round 2022 NFL mock draft. Similar to plenty of the other mock drafts out there, Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum was projected as a first-round draft pick by Reid to the Dallas Cowboys with the No. 24 overall pick.

The Cowboys must replace guard Connor Williams and provide competition for center Tyler Biadasz. Linderbaum is a hard-nosed run-blocker who can win by cutting off angles and punishing interior defenders with physicality.

He needs to get stronger to improve his anchor as a pass protector, but he’s a significant upgrade over what Dallas has at left guard now. – Reid, ESPN.

Linderbaum coming off the board in the first round is beginning to feel like more of a foregone conclusion. He performed well in his Pro Day and has been trending as a first-round pick for some time.

What was perhaps more interesting was the other Iowa Hawkeye that Reid had being drafted. Reid projected Iowa defensive stalwart Dane Belton to be drafted by the Denver Broncos with the No. 232 overall pick in the seventh round.

Belton finished his Iowa career with 26 starts. The 6-foot-1, 205 pound Tampa, Fla., native started all 14 games last season for the Hawkeyes as he alternated between the CASH and strong safety positions. Belton finished tied-fourth nationally with five interceptions last season. Over the course of the 2021 season, Belton registered 46 total tackles, seven pass breakups, three tackles for loss and three quarterback hurries. Belton ended his Hawkeye career with 112 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 17 passes defensed.

Denver would be an interesting landing spot for Belton. The Broncos ranked No. 3 last season in scoring defense, No. 8 in passing defense and No. 15 in rushing defense.

In Reid’s mock draft, he had Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson going No. 1 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The rest of Reid’s top-five picks looked like this: Liberty quarterback Malik Willis No. 2 to the Detroit Lions, Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal No. 3 to the Houston Texans, Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux No. 4 to the New York Jets and North Carolina State offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu No. 5 to the New York Giants.

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Iowa Hawkeyes tied for the most returning starters among Big Ten programs entering the 2022 season

Athlon Sports took a look at returning starters among Big Ten programs. Iowa has the most returning starters, which sets up well for 2022.

Among Big Ten teams, Iowa has the most returning starters. Athlon Sports’ Steven Lassan took a look at returning starters on Big Ten teams and Iowa is tied for the most returning starters.

According to Lassan, Iowa has 17 returning starters. That number for the Hawkeyes is actually 15 returning starters. Iowa is replacing three starters offensively: running back [autotag]Tyler Goodson[/autotag], All-American center [autotag]Tyler Linderbaum[/autotag] and left guard [autotag]Kyler Schott[/autotag].

Goodson rushed for 1,151 yards on 256 carries with six rushing touchdowns. He also caught 31 passes for 247 yards and a score. Linderbaum started each of the team’s 35 games over the past three seasons and Schott started the final 10 games of last season and 18 over his Hawkeye career.

Defensively, Iowa will replace defensive end [autotag]Zach VanValkenburg[/autotag] who started all 14 games and 35 in his career. VanValkenburg had 15 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks last season. The Hawkeyes are also replacing linebacker [autotag]Dane Belton[/autotag], cornerback [autotag]Matt Hankins[/autotag] and safety [autotag]Jack Koerner[/autotag].

Koerner finished third on the team with 88 tackles in 2021. Meanwhile, Belton had 46 tackles, seven pass breakups and five interceptions. Hankins added 44 tackles, five pass breakups and three interceptions. That trio combined to start 95 games over the course of their Iowa careers.

Although the Hawkeyes are in good shape, the losses – center Tyler Linderbaum, running back Tyler Goodson, defensive end Zach VanValkenburg, safety Jack Koerner, defensive back Dane Belton and cornerback Matt Hankins – are significant. – Lassan, Athlon Sports.

The production that Iowa is replacing offensively and defensively is certainly notable. Goodson was Iowa’s leading rusher and Koerner and VanValkenburg were the Hawkeyes’ third and fourth-leading tacklers. Still, there should be optimism that Iowa returns its top two tacklers in linebackers Jack Campbell and Seth Benson who racked up 143 and 105 tackles last year, respectively.

Offensively, Iowa has both quarterbacks [autotag]Spencer Petras[/autotag] and [autotag]Alex Padilla[/autotag] returning. While fans have good reason to want to see more production from both, returning experience at the quarterback position can never be overstated. The Hawkeyes also return five of their top six receiving yardage leaders in tight end [autotag]Sam LaPorta[/autotag] and then wide receivers [autotag]Keagan Johnson[/autotag], [autotag]Nico Ragaini[/autotag], [autotag]Charlie Jones[/autotag] and [autotag]Arland Bruce IV[/autotag].

Iowa’s 15 returning starters matches Maryland and Purdue. Michigan State returns the next-most starters with 14.

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