Tag: Riley Moss

Iowa Hawkeyes boast sizable lead over FBS with 89 interceptions over the past 5 seasons

Interceptions are game changing. No one does it better than the Hawkeyes. Over the last five years, they have handily outpaced the nation.

The Iowa Hawkeyes have intercepted more passes than any team in the entire country over the last five years by a large margin. Their ability to get takeaways in the passing game has continued to develop under Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz and defensive coordinator Phil Parker.

Over the last five seasons, the Hawkeyes have reeled in 89 interceptions. That provides them with a wide gap of the next best team. They have 10 more interceptions than any other FBS team does over the same stretch.

A large contribution of that can be accounted for in 2021 when Iowa was able to take the ball away via 25 interceptions. That was spearheaded by current New York Giant Dane Belton and returning All-American Riley Moss, who looks to build on a phenomenal 2021.

Iowa has a large contingent of defensive backs in the NFL that helped contribute to 89 interceptions over the last five seasons. Matt Hankins, Jack Koerner, Dane Belton, Geno Stone, Amani Hooker, Josh Jackson, Michael Ojemudia, and Desmond King all played a role.

This shows the “cheat code” that it is to play in the Iowa secondary on the way to the NFL that former Hawkeye Micah Hyde elaborated on.

Iowa is reloading their secondary and bringing in some serious talent. Terry Roberts, Cooper DeJean, and Kaevon Merriweather will look to stamp their impact on the program in 2022. Five-star recruit Xavier Nwankpa will look to add to the interception total early as he has been named a top incoming freshman in the Big Ten.

Takeaways and interceptions have been a staple of what makes Iowa who they are and the proof is in the pudding. There is not a single team in the country better at intercepting the ball than the Iowa Hawkeyes.

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7 Iowa Hawkeyes honored as Phil Steele preseason All-American, All-Big Ten selections

Seven Iowa Hawkeyes earned either preseason All-American or All-Big Ten honors from Phil Steele.

As the preseason awards season rolls on, seven Iowa Hawkeyes were tabbed as either All-American or All-Big Ten selections by Phil Steele. Four defensive players, two offensive players and a specialist comprise the selections by Phil Steele.

Let’s take a look at the full list of honorees that Iowa football’s official account released today.

Riley Moss was Pro Football Focus’ highest-rated Big Ten cornerback in 2021

After an All-American performance in 2021, Pro Football Focus graded Riley Moss as the highest-rated cornerback in the Big Ten.

There is something special going on in Iowa City. It has been being built for quite some time. And it will continue to build for a while after. For now, though, the fruits of the labor are starting to be seen.

Another Iowa defender finds himself among the top. This time it is cornerback Riley Moss being graded out as the best cornerback in the Big Ten during the 2021 season.

This comes directly on the heels of PFF also sharing news that Riley Moss was the only cornerback in the country to have back-to-back seasons graded above 75 during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons.

Moss was a name to watch following the season as there was discussion of him making the leap to the NFL to join a long line of Iowa Hawkeyes defensive backs to make it to the next level. Moss ultimately chose to use his final year of eligibility and stick around Iowa City for one more season.

His decision relieved many Hawkeye fans and provides an experienced veteran on the back end that can anchor the secondary. His experience could prove to be invaluable after Dane Belton, Matt Hankins, and [autotag]Jack Koerner[/autotag] departed for the NFL.

With a more youthful secondary, Moss has the experience to act as a coach on the field and provide a steadying force to a defense that looks to stay stout.

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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.

Riley Moss named Pro Football Focus’ best coverage cornerback over last two seasons

Iowa’s Riley Moss is the only cornerback in the country to be given 75-plus grades per Pro Football Focus the last two seasons.

Riley Moss finds himself at the top of the mountain. That mountain is Pro Football Focus’ coverage grades over the last two seasons. He is the only cornerback in the entire nation to achieve 75-plus coverage grades over both of the last two years.

The fifth-year returning All-American joins a defense that was the best in the country in 2021 with 25 interceptions and was unbelievably stout against the pass. Moss was an anchor on the back end with four interceptions of his own last year, two of which he returned for touchdowns.

Moss can be expected to be a staple for the Hawkeyes this season as he plays alongside other returning comrades such as Jack Campbell and Lukas Van Ness as they look to be a strong unit once again.

Joining Moss in the back end will be Cooper DeJean and Terry Roberts at cornerbacks. The safeties will be Kaevon Merrriweather, Quinn Schulte, and freshman Xavier Nwankpa. Nwankpa was recently listed as one of the nation’s top freshmen.

Moss will look to build on last year with another great year for the Hawkeyes. If things go as planned, and even expected, Riley Moss could be the next Iowa Hawkeye to make the jump to the NFL as proven by other defensive backs.

For his career, Moss has appeared in 41 games, logged 27 starts, racked up 111 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 25 passes defensed, 10 interceptions and scored three touchdowns.

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Best photos of Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Jack Campbell entering 2022

Iowa has a star at middle linebacker in Jack Campbell. Here’s a look at his Hawkeye career thus far through these fantastic photos.

Iowa has itself a star at middle linebacker in Jack Campbell. The 6-foot-5, 243 pound linebacker earned first-team All-Big Ten honors from the Big Ten’s media and Phil Steele last season.

The Cedar Falls, Iowa, native was also one of 16 semifinalists for the Butkus Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top linebacker. It all makes sense after Campbell burst onto the scene with a 2021 season in which he led all of college football with 143 total tackles.

Campbell showcased he’s more than just a run-stopper as he intercepted a pair of passes in 2021, one of which he returned 32 yards for a touchdown to ice the Hawkeyes’ 33-23 win over Illinois. He also had a six-yard scoop-and-score touchdown in Iowa’s 27-17 rivalry win over the Iowa State Cyclones last season. That helped locked down a sixth consecutive win in the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series for the Hawkeyes.

Campbell has emerged as one of the top stars in all of college football. Naturally, he’s already enjoyed a lengthy list of highlights and is set to provide more of the same in 2022. Here’s a look back at Campbell’s Hawkeye career thus far through these fantastic photos.

Jack Campbell and Riley Moss Named To Lott IMPACT Trophy Watchlist

Iowa Hawkeyes defensive standouts Jack Campbell and Riley Moss were named to the Lott IMPACT Trophy watchlist.

Senior linebacker Jack Campbell and cornerback Riley Moss were two of 42 players named to the Lott IMPACT Trophy watchlist.

The Lott IMPACT Trophy, established by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, is a prestigious award presented to the defensive IMPACT player of the year.

The foundation aims to find not only the best player on the field, but off the field as well. The acronym IMPACT stands for integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community and tenacity, which are all attributes of the award’s namesake Ronnie Lott.

The award is presented annually to individuals who demonstrate excellence in the field of athletics and recognizes college football’s Defensive Player of the Year who best exemplifies the IMPACT acronym. Past recipients include Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson last year and current San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Demeco Ryans.

Jack Campbell was the nation’s leader in tackles last year with 143 and received first-team All-Big Ten honors. He was named Iowa’s Roy J. Carver Most Valuable Player defensively last year for the Hawkeyes and was one of five team captains.

Riley Moss was one of the top cornerbacks in the nation last year, winning the Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year. Sporting News also named Moss as one of its first-team All-America selections last season. Moss finished 2021 with four interceptions and five more pass breakups.

The last Hawkeye to win the award was Josey Jewell back in 2017, though multiple Iowa players have been nominated since including quarterfinalist Zach VanValkenburg last year and semifinalist Chauncey Golston the year prior.

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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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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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USA TODAY Sports’ Erick Smith ranks Iowa No. 11 in post-spring Top 25

USA TODAY Sports’ Erick Smith has the Iowa Hawkeyes coming in at No. 11 in his post-spring practices rankings.

Some teams have the same old tune. That certainly seems to be the case for the Iowa Hawkeyes as we look at another media outlet’s post-spring practices top 25 rankings. Many of you probably know where this is going as the same thought process seems to be nearing consensus territory.

USA TODAY Sports’ Erick Smith places the Hawkeyes at No. 11 in his post-spring practices rankings. This comes in quite a bit higher than the 247Sports post-spring rankings where Iowa barely cracked the top 25.

Let me know if you’ve heard this before. The Hawkeyes will go as far as its quarterback play will take them. That’s because no program may be more frustratingly consistent than Iowa. The defense again looks like one of the best in the Big Ten. Defensive back [autotag]Riley Moss[/autotag] and linebacker [autotag]Jack Campbell[/autotag] will be two of the leaders. The offense, however, has to get out of the bottom half of the conference to go beyond just being a very good team and that starts with [autotag]Spencer Petras[/autotag]. A starter for the past two seasons, Petras hasn’t been able to generate enough consistent big plays in the passing game to get the Hawkeyes past their difficult opponents. He’ll have the benefit of tight end [autotag]Sam LaPorta[/autotag] and a strong offensive line. Now he has to deliver. – Smith, USA Today

The thoughts from Smith hit home to many Iowa fans as it has been the same case for the last few years. The defense and special teams are great, but what sort of output can the quarterback provide always looms large.

The top five in Smith’s rankings for USA TODAY Sports are the usual suspects. Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Clemson in that order, begin the list. The Hawkeyes find themselves coming in at No. 11 right behind a few unusual names such as North Carolina State and BYU.

Behind the blueblood programs, there is a chance for Iowa to find themselves among the top teams like we saw last fall when they climbed all the way up to No. 2 in the country following a 6-0 start.

With a bit of solid quarterback play paired with this defense, Smith’s sentiment about Iowa taking the next step resounds quite loudly. The opportunity to catapult into that next tier is right in front of the Hawkeyes and media outlets believe it is almost solely dependent on the offensive output.

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