Tag: Quinn Schulte

5 Iowa Hawkeyes defensive players to keep an eye on entering 2022 fall camp

Which Iowa defensive players should fans be keeping an eye on in 2022 fall camp? Here’s a look at five names to watch.

The defense once again looks to be the area of strength for Iowa in 2022. While the offense looks to improve in the upcoming season, the defense looks to build off of one of the best seasons in program history.

Not only did the Hawkeyes hold opposing offenses to only 19.2 points per game last year, they led the nation in interceptions with 25. Most of the playmakers are back from last season with the addition of some promising newcomers. For a unit that should be one of the best in football, here are five players to watch in fall camp.

‘It kind of gets passed down’: Iowa Hawkeyes star Riley Moss embracing 2022 leadership reins

As a returning All-American and elder statesman, Iowa Hawkeyes cornerback Riley Moss is embracing the leadership reins entering 2022.

As a returning first-team All-American, Iowa cornerback Riley Moss is naturally going to be looked to for leadership. The 6-foot-1, 193 pound defensive back from Ankeny, Iowa, registered four interceptions, five pass breakups and 39 tackles last season.

The fact that he also brings back 25 career starts with him only adds to that.

Plus, the Hawkeyes are replacing a pair of players in safety Jack Koerner and cornerback Matt Hankins that started 32 and 37 games in their careers, respectively.

In his first meeting with the Iowa media since the spring, Moss broke down with Hawk Central‘s Chad Leistikow, HawkeyeReport‘s Tom Kakert and others how he’s handling that leadership responsibility.

Iowa Hawkeyes cornerback Riley Moss named Walter Camp preseason All-American

Iowa Hawkeyes cornerback Riley Moss has been stamped as a preseason All-American by Walter Camp as the 2022 college football season nears.

After being named a first-team All-American by Sporting News following the 2021 college football season, Iowa Hawkeyes cornerback Riley Moss has been named to the Walter Camp Football Foundation’s preseason second-team All-American defense.

Moss, who chose to come back and play in his final year of eligibility after some thought he may depart for the NFL, will look to expand on a year that saw him not just take the next step, but really jump a few levels upward.

Coming off of a stellar season in which Moss was the Big Ten’s highest graded cornerback based on his performances, all signs point to him being the leader of the Iowa secondary. He takes the reins of the Hawkeyes’ defensive backs room that is ranked as the No. 3 secondary in the entire nation.

Not only was Moss good last year, he is Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded coverage cornerback in the entire country over the last two seasons. Coming back this year gives Moss another season to put tape out and only improve his draft stock for when he is inevitably taken in next year’s 2023 NFL draft.

Joining Moss in the secondary will be Kaevon Merriweather, Jermari Harris, Quinn Schulte, Terry Roberts, Cooper DeJean, and Xavier Nwankpa. The group looks to continue turning the ball over and reeling in interceptions as it has become a bit of a Hawkeye specialty due to their sizable interception lead over every other college football team.

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22 Iowa Hawkeyes football stats to know entering the 2022 season

Kickoff of the 2022 season is nearing closer every day. Here’s 22 Iowa Hawkeyes stats to know from last season as we inch toward 2022.

By now, you know the drill. The 2021 Iowa Hawkeyes had one of the nation’s stingiest defenses, but the offense left so much to be desired. As a result, a perfect 6-0 start lost its luster with a pair of midseason losses to Purdue and at Wisconsin.

After four straight wins to close the regular season locked down the Big Ten West crown, the Hawkeyes were exposed in the Big Ten championship game by the Michigan Wolverines, 42-3. Iowa followed that championship game loss up with a field goal defeat in the Vrbo Citrus Bowl against Kentucky. Enter the spring and summer of offensive discontent.

A step forward in the Hawkeyes’ quarterback play and Iowa’s offense in general would go a mile in 2022. If Iowa can find that recipe, then fans can start realistically thinking about a return trip to the Big Ten championship game.

With an ongoing quarterback competition still being waged in Iowa City, what’s to come next is really anybody’s guess. There’s optimism that Spencer Petras can elevate his game to the next level. The 6-foot-5, 233 pound signal-caller from San Rafael, Calif., has been working out with quarterbacks coach and trainer Tony Racioppi this offseason to refine his body and his game.

Still, Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz said to end the spring that he and the rest of his offensive staff are planning a long, hard look heading into the fall at each of their three options under center.

Where does that leave us entering the 2022 college football season? Here’s a look back at all of Iowa’s key offensive and defensive numbers from last season to get fans prepped for what may lie ahead in 2022.

Three Iowa Hawkeyes 247Sports likes as breakout defensive performers

247Sports’ Sean Bock broke down three Hawkeyes he likes to be breakout defensive players in 2022.

We are now officially under 100 days until the 2022 college football season. Spring ball has passed and summer will give us an even clearer look at what to expect for the Hawkeyes this season.

Sean Bock of 247Sports’ HawkeyeInsider took a look at three defensive players that will see an increased role in 2022. He was the latest to feature redshirt sophomore defensive lineman [autotag]Lukas Van Ness[/autotag].

The Football Writers Association of America tabbed Van Ness as a first-team All-American in 2021 after he registered 33 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks last season. Bock sees Van Ness providing versatility along the Hawkeyes’ defensive line.

Van Ness was listed as a backup and played nearly half as many snaps as the starters, but was tied for most sacks on the team with seven. This spring, Van Ness has been working inside and outside for Iowa and has gotten more experience on the edge. Iowa has two starting defensive tackles returning from last year’s team in Logan Lee and Noah Shannon, so it wouldn’t come as a surprise if Van Ness kicked outside to get more snaps and grow his impact on the defensive line. – Bock, HawkeyeInsider.

Van Ness is the player on this defense that most of the national media is keeping close tabs on. He showed so much potential as a rotational defensive tackle last year and should be given even more of a spotlight with the departure of Zack VanValkenburg. Don’t be surprised if Van Ness is a fast-rising NFL draft prospect.

Also featured is defensive back Cooper DeJean. The sophomore DeJean turned a ton of heads this spring. A four-star recruit, his athleticism and versatility have made him stand out as a potential starter.

The 6-foot-1, 203 pound defensive back has made plays all over the field in spring ball. DeJean received a lot of time at Iowa’s CASH position where many project him to start this season. Many around the team peg him as a future star for the program and someone to keep an eye on this year.

Count Bock as someone on the Iowa beat that’s fully endorsing DeJean as an impact player entering 2022.

This offseason, DeJean really seems to have taken a step forward and looks to be a major part of the defense, particularly at the CASH position. DeJean saw a lot of run at the CASH during spring practice and seems to be the favorite to start in the season opener at that spot, if the regular season were to start today. – Bock, HawkeyeInsider.

Lastly, Bock feels Quinn Schulte also has the potential to start this season. With the graduation of free safety Jack Koerner, the junior Schulte was listed as the heir apparent at the position on the spring depth chart. The former walk-on will have stiff competition, including freshman Xavier Nwankpa.

There is still summer and fall camp to go as guys like Jaxon Rexroth and Xavier Nwankpa could make up ground at this position as it is one of the more wide-open position battles on defense this season. I certainly wouldn’t count out Nwankpa, but Schulte looks like the guy right now. – Bock, HawkeyeInsider.

Both DeJean and Schulte saw some action last season, but the pair combined for just six tackles. In Iowa’s 51-14 rout of Maryland last season, Schulte came away with his lone interception of last season and returned it 42 yards. That pick was part of a six-interception and seven-turnover day that the Hawkeye defense forced.

It will be fascinating to watch all three players’ development and how these position battles shake out following the summer and into fall camp.

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Iowa Hawkeyes ranked No. 7 in ESPN’s future defensive power rankings

ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg ranked the Iowa Hawkeyes No. 7 in his future defensive power rankings.

Iowa doesn’t appear to be giving up its tradition of strong defensive football any time soon.

Recently, ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg whipped out his crystal ball to rank the top 25 defenses in college football over the next three years. The Hawkeyes cracked the top 10, finishing 7th in the rankings. Rittenberg was especially impressed with Iowa’s ever-replenishing supply of defensive backs, as well as the immediate impact of the linebackers currently on the roster.

Can we start calling Iowa low-key DBU? Coordinator Phil Parker and his group aren’t the type to ask for labels, but they’ve produced the Big Ten’s Defensive Back of the Year five times in the 12-year history of the award, including four times since 2015. – Rittenberg, ESPN.

The next in line for “low-key DBU” is cornerback Riley Moss, last year’s Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year. That’s awarded to the best defensive back in the Big Ten.

The senior had four picks last year in his first-team All-Big Ten campaign. The third-team All-American will be returning for his fifth season and is flanked by returning starting safety Kaevon Merriweather and corner Jermari Harris.

While they did lose star safety and newly drafted New York Giant Dane Belton, keep an eye on incoming five-star freshman Xavier Nwankpa. While his playing status is uncertain for this year, it would not be blasphemous to picture Nwankpa as Iowa’s next Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year winner as well.

Rittenberg also had positive things to say about the Hawkeyes’ defensive line entering 2022.

Iowa’s front four also projects well with veterans such as Logan Lee, Noah Shannon, Joe Evans and John Waggoner all back. Lee is the only non-senior, though, and Iowa will look for sophomore tackles Lukas Van Ness and Yahya Black, sophomore end Deontae Craig and others to keep taking on bigger roles. – Rittenberg, ESPN.

The other position highlighted was the Hawkeyes’ linebacker group. Seen as the backbone of the defense, Iowa is returning a trio of starters. Led by rising draft prospect Jack Campbell, the 6-foot-5, 243 pound linebacker led the nation with 143 tackles. Senior linebacker Seth Benson added 105 tackles in his own right.

Campbell and Seth Benson are joined by junior Jestin Jacobs and will spell trouble for any Big Ten opponent looking to establish the run. The development of the next generation of Hawkeye linebackers in 2021 three-stars Karson Sharar and Jaden Harrell will also be key for maintaining a stranglehold on the position.

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247Sports tabs Iowa safety Xavier Nwankpa as Hawkeyes’ freshman to watch

247Sports writer Sam Marsdale tabbed safety Xavier Nwankpa as Iowa’s freshman sparking excitement.

It’s no secret that Xavier Nwankpa arrives in Iowa City with a full steam of hype behind him. After an impressive spring, the 6-foot-2, 190 pound freshman safety has only added more fuel to that fire.

The Pleasant Hill, Iowa, native chose to stay home and play for the Hawkeyes. In the process, the Southeast Polk High School product rebuffed offers from the likes of Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Notre Dame and Ohio State just to name a few.

247Sports’ Sam Marsdale picked Nwankpa for Iowa in his list of freshmen sparking excitement for Big Ten teams.

A 247Sports five-star recruit as the top-ranked safety, Iowa held off many powerhouses to keep Nwanpka at home. The combination of athleticism, length, clutch play-making, swagger and instincts made him one of the most highly-sought after prospects in the country. Iowa was among the first schools to jump in for his services, but it’s difficult to ward off Ohio State, Notre Dame and just about everyone else. Watch out for him to see the field quickly in Iowa City. – Sam Marsdale, 247Sports.

Naturally, the fact that Nwankpa spurned the types of schools that he did to become a Hawkeye will have him in good graces with Iowa fans from the get-go. As Marsdale mentioned, it’s Nwankpa’s playmaking ability that will keep him there.

According to 247Sports, Nwankpa was a five-star recruit, the No. 25 player nationally, the No. 1 safety and the top player from the state of Iowa in the 2022 signing class. Rivals also ranked Nwankpa as a five-star talent, the No. 19 player overall, the No. 1 safety and the top player from the Hawkeye State.

Meanwhile, ESPN and On3 both listed Nwankpa as a four-star prospect. According to ESPN, Nwankpa was the nation’s No. 155 player overall and the No. 9 safety. On3 ranked Nwankpa as the country’s No. 127 player overall, the No. 10 safety and the No. 2 player from the state of Iowa.

Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz had glowing remarks about the impressions both Nwankpa and fellow freshman defensive back TJ Hall have made thus far following the Hawkeyes’ conclusion of their open spring practice on April 23.

“I think we’re going to see a big jump just in terms of his confidence and just being a little bit more decisive with his play when we get back in August. And he’s done some really good things. He flashes some things that are like, you know, you can see the guy that we knew he is. That will show up on special teams, too. He’s just a tremendous young guy, great personality and demeanor, really good to work with, good work ethic and good work habits. He’s doing a great job in the classroom as well, so it’s really been great and say the same thing about TJ Hall. They’re both back there together as true freshmen. They both just are really doing a nice job so far,” Ferentz said.

While Kaevon Merriweather, Sebastian Castro, Quinn Schulte and Jaxon Rexroth were the players listed on Iowa’s initial two-deep to start the spring, it could be just a matter of time before Nwankpa cracks that rotation.

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Iowa Hawkeye Tyler Linderbaum is Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded 2021 college football player

Pro Football Focus graded Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum as its top 2021 college football player.

Iowa center [autotag]Tyler Linderbaum[/autotag] is going to be an excellent addition for somebody in the 2022 NFL draft. That much is evidenced by his Pro Football Focus grade.

Linderbaum had the highest grade of any college football player in 2021. The 6-foot-3, 290 pound center earned a grade of 95.4.

That mark was well clear of the next-closest center. Missouri’s Michael Maietti finished the 2021 season with a PFF grade of 89.1, Minnesota’s John Michael Schmitz earned a grade of 88.5, USC’s Brett Neilon registered a grade of 86.2 and Wyoming’s Keegan Cryder recorded a grade of 85.5 to round out the top grades for Division I centers.

According to PFF, Linderbaum had a run blocking grade of 96.6 and a pass blocking grade of 79.8. His run blocking grade was tops among all Division I players, while his pass blocking grade checked in at No. 15. Linderbaum was also recently listed among Bucky Brooks of NFL.com’s top five interior blockers.

Iowa’s top ten offensive players during the 2021 season according to PFF looked like this: Linderbaum at No. 1 with a grade of 95.4, left guard [autotag]Kyler Schott[/autotag] with a grade of 86.1, offensive lineman [autotag]Tyler Elsbury[/autotag] with a grade of 80.4, offensive guard [autotag]Justin Britt[/autotag] with a grade of 78.5, center [autotag]Matt Fagan[/autotag] with a grade of 75.8, running back [autotag]Gavin Williams[/autotag] with a grade of 75.1, offensive guard [autotag]Cody Ince[/autotag] with a grade of 75.1, quarterback [autotag]Spencer Petras[/autotag] with a grade of 73.9, tight end [autotag]Sam LaPorta[/autotag] with a grade of 72.5 and right guard [autotag]Connor Colby[/autotag] with a grade of 71.5

The Hawkeyes’ top 10 defensive players in 2021 via PFF went as follows: defensive end [autotag]Zach VanValkenburg[/autotag] with a grade of 84.2, cornerback [autotag]Riley Moss[/autotag] with a grade of 80.1, cornerback [autotag]Matt Hankins[/autotag] with a grade of 80.0, safety [autotag]Dane Belton[/autotag] with a grade of 77.1, safety [autotag]Quinn Schulte[/autotag] with a grade of 75.3, safety [autotag]Kaevon Merriweather[/autotag] with a grade of 73.1, cornerback [autotag]Jermari Harris[/autotag] with a grade of 72.9, defensive tackle [autotag]Noah Shannon[/autotag] with a grade of 70.6, defensive tackle [autotag]Lukas Van Ness[/autotag] and linebacker [autotag]Jack Campbell[/autotag] with a grade of 69.8.

Iowa’s top-five graded specialists according to PFF were defensive tackle [autotag]Logan Lee[/autotag] with a grade of 89.0, cornerback [autotag]Terry Roberts[/autotag] with a grade of 84.6, cornerback [autotag]Cooper DeJean[/autotag] with a grade of 76.3, cornerback [autotag]Xavior Williams[/autotag] with a grade of 76.1 and defensive back [autotag]Henry Marchese[/autotag] with a grade of 74.2.

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5 takeaways from Iowa’s spring depth chart reveal

Iowa gave us our first glimpse of the depth chart. What are the takeaways from the Hawkeyes’ spring starting point?

Football is back! At least a taste of it is anyways. Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz met with reporters and shared his excitement to get the spring slate underway.

“Certainly good to be back and it’s good for us as coaches to be able to focus on the 2022 team now, so it’s good to be back in the office and into it. As I said last time, you know, any time we get together, get started in January, it’s a new team, certainly a new season and a new opportunity on top of that, so it’s always good. As you approach spring football, there’s always promise and hope with the new season, a lot of excitement about that. I think that’s something that players and coaches both share. So it’s one of the great things about spring ball I think,” Ferentz said.

With the Hawkeyes underway with their spring practices, Iowa released its spring depth chart.

There’s certainly plenty to dissect from our first glimpse at a working two-deep for the Hawkeyes, so let’s take a peek at several quick takeaways.

Iowa earns No. 6 seed in ESPN’s fictional 64-team college football bracket

ESPN’s Chris Low took a crack at what a 64-team college football bracket might look like for the 2022 season. How far would the Hawkeyes go?

Recent reports indicate that the College Football Playoff won’t be expanding any time soon. In fact, according to CBS Sports reporter Barrett Sallee’s report from last month, the CFP will remain at four teams for the duration of the current contract through the 2025 college football season.

Still, that can rain on our parade as we enjoy the festivities of March Madness and wonder what if college football had a 64-team bracket like college basketball. ESPN’s Chris Low took a stab at what that might look like for the upcoming 2022 college football season.

With help from ESPN’s 2022 SP+ projections, Low put together a 64-team team tournament field for college football. Iowa ranked No. 26 in ESPN’s 2022 SP+ projections. That projection for the Hawkeyes checked in as just the seventh-highest ranking among Big Ten teams.

Ohio State was ranked No. 1 in ESPN’s 2022 SP+ projections, Michigan No. 4, Wisconsin No. 10, Penn State No. 16, Michigan State, No. 17 and Minnesota No. 19.

Using the SP+ projections as a tool to help create the 64-team bracket, Iowa ended up as the No. 6 seed in the South region playing No. 11 seed North Carolina. Low predicted the Hawkeyes would win their first-round matchup against the Tar Heels, 27-20, and wrote this about the matchup.

Between them, Kirk Ferentz and Mack Brown have 58 years of head coaching experience in college football. The Hawkeyes’ experience, though, is the difference in this one, as their defensive line takes control of the game in the second half. – Low, ESPN.

North Carolina State earned the No. 3 seed in the South region. The Wolfpack got a test from 14th-seeded Oregon State, but North Carolina State scored three unanswered touchdowns to top the Beavers, 28-14. That set up Iowa’s second-round matchup against N.C. State. Low predicted that Iowa would bow out of the tournament in a close, 20-17, loss to the Wolfpack.

Played in rainy, sloppy conditions, this slugfest goes down to the final minutes when N.C. State star linebacker Drake Thomas, one of several talented Wolfpack linebackers, makes a diving tackle inside the 5-yard line on fourth down. – Low, ESPN.

The No. 1 seeds in Low’s 64-team college football bracket included Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State and Georgia. Low predicted that Alabama would top North Carolina State in the South region final, 41-21. The Midwest region champion was Ohio State after a 34-17 win over Cincinnati, the East region champion was Texas A&M after a 24-23 win over Georgia and the West region champion was Oklahoma beating USC, 35-28.

Low had Alabama beating Oklahoma 41-21 and Ohio State topping Texas A&M 38-24 to set up the national championship game between the Crimson Tide and Buckeyes.

In Low’s fictional national championship game, Ohio State captured the crown in a classic, beating Alabama, 34-30.

Obviously, there’s nothing to this outside of a fun exercise in imaginary December and January Madness. Still, it’s nice to see that Iowa was safely inside the tournament field and expected to win a game.

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