Tag: Seth Benson

Iowa Hawkeyes snapshot profile: No. 44 Seth Benson

Seth Benson brings some serious production back to Iowa heading into 2022. He racked up 105 total tackles in 2021 for the Hawkeyes.

Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker and assistant defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Seth Wallace have to just be ecstatic to return what they do at the linebacker spots entering 2022.

One of the returning stars is redshirt senior linebacker Seth Benson. The 6-foot, 229 pound linebacker from Sioux Falls, S.D., may have been overshadowed at times by what his counterpart Jack Campbell accomplished in 2021, but his returning production and experience is vital for the Hawkeyes’ defense.

Benson racked up 105 total tackles, eight quarterback hurries, 5.5 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, two sacks and one interception during the 2021 campaign. His interception was one of three that the Hawkeyes forced against Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy in Iowa’s 27-17 win over the Cyclones. That interception set up a Caleb Shudak field goal that staked the Hawkeyes to a two-score lead.

Benson’s career high in tackles came against Northwestern during the 2020 season when he tallied 13 stops. He had a pair of 10-tackle games last season with his most recent such effort coming against the Purdue Boilermakers on Oct. 16, 2021. Benson also had eight assisted tackles in the Hawkeyes’ come-from-behind win over Nebraska on Nov. 26.

His ability to rush the passer from the linebacker position was part of what helped Iowa finish as the No. 13 scoring defense, surrendering just 19.2 points per game in 2021. Benson finished with a pair of quarterback hurries in Iowa’s 23-20 win over Penn State last year and he had a pair of pass breakups in the Hawkeyes’ 33-23 victory over Illinois on Nov. 20, 2021.

Playing alongside the national leader in tackles from the 2021 season in fellow Iowa linebacker Campbell, Benson is primed to shine once more in 2022. Let’s take a look at his snapshot profile entering the 2022 season.

Preseason player profile

Hometown: Sioux Falls, S.D.

Ht: 6-0

Wt: 229

Class in 2022: Redshirt senior

247Sports composite ranking

2018 two-star / No. 100 inside linebacker / No. 2 player from South Dakota

Career stats

Defense & Fumbles Table
Tackles Def Int Fumbles
Year School Conf Class Pos G Solo Ast Tot Loss Sk Int Yds Avg TD PD FR Yds TD FF
*2019 Iowa Big Ten FR LB 7 6 5 11 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2020 Iowa Big Ten SO LB 7 26 21 47 3.0 2.0 0 0 0 0 0 0
*2021 Iowa Big Ten JR LB 14 54 51 105 5.5 2.0 1 6 6.0 0 3 0 0
Career Iowa 86 77 163 8.5 4.0 1 6 6.0 0 3 0 0
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 6/10/2022.

Depth chart overview

Benson is another one of Iowa’s great developmental success stories. After arriving as an unheralded two-star signee in the 2018 class, Benson has now started in 21 consecutive games.

Benson is entrenched atop the defensive depth chart as Iowa’s starting weak side linebacker opposite Campbell. Make no mistake. His presence is a huge part of the reason many view Iowa’s linebackers as one of the nation’s best units in all of college football.

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Full snapshot profile series

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Iowa Hawkeyes snapshot profile: No. 31 Jack Campbell

Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell led the nation in tackles with 143 last season. How can he replicate or surpass that production in 2022?

Surpassing his 2021 season might mean a first-round selection in the 2023 NFL draft for Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell. The 6-foot-5, 243 pound linebacker out of Cedar Falls High School led the nation with 143 total tackles last season.

His 10.2 tackles per game ranked 10th nationally, trailing only Northwestern’s Chris Bergin and Wisconsin’s Leo Chenal’s 11.8 and 10.4 tackles per game, respectively.

Bergin earned an invite to the Chicago Bears’ rookie minicamp and Chenal was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft. Chenal just inked his rookie deal with K.C.

That means Campbell is both the leading returning tackler nationally and the leading returning tackler per game in the Big Ten. After a season that ended with Campbell picking up first-team All-Big Ten honors by the Big Ten’s media and coaches, the expectations are sky high heading into 2022. Campbell was also one of 16 semifinalists for the Butkus Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top linebacker.

Naturally, Campbell has enjoyed his fair share of praise throughout the offseason. ESPN’s Tom VanHaaren selected Campbell as his choice for the defensive player not named Will Anderson Jr. that would have the biggest impact on the 2022 college football season back in March.

Meanwhile, 247Sports touted Campbell as one of its top 2023 NFL draft stock risers. Pro Football Focus acknowledged Campbell as the top Power Five run stopper and he was named alongside teammate Riley Moss as one of two Hawkeyes on the Lott IMPACT Trophy watchlist. That pair was also selected as first-team All-Big Ten choices by Athlon Sports.

Following a season that put Campbell on the national radar, let’s take a look back at his Iowa career thus far and examine what’s ahead for the star linebacker in 2022.

Preseason player profile

Hometown: Cedar Falls, Iowa

Ht: 6-5

Wt: 243

Class in 2022: Senior

247Sports composite ranking

2019 three-star / No. 44 outside linebacker / No. 4 player from Iowa

Career stats

Defense & Fumbles Table
Tackles Def Int Fumbles
Year School Conf Class Pos G Solo Ast Tot Loss Sk Int Yds Avg TD PD FR Yds TD FF
*2019 Iowa Big Ten FR LB 2 2 3 5 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0
  2020 Iowa Big Ten SO LB 5 21 8 29 3.5 1.0 1 0 0.0 0 3 0 1
*2021 Iowa Big Ten JR LB 14 57 83 140 3.5 1.0 2 33 16.5 1 6 2 1 1
Career Overall 80 94 174 7.0 2.0 3 33 11.0 1 9 2 1 2
Iowa 80 94 174 7.0 2.0 3 33 11.0 1 9 2 1 2
Cincinnati
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 6/7/2022.

Depth chart overview

As one of the top linebackers nationally and a player that has been earmarked as a potential 2023 NFL draft stock riser, it goes without saying that Campbell’s starting status isn’t in question.

The in-state linebacker was once again listed atop the depth chart at the Hawkeyes’ middle linebacker slot to begin the spring and that won’t change between now and Iowa’s season opener versus South Dakota State. How much better can Campbell be than the 143 tackles he delivered in 2021?

Probably not much. And if he leads the nation in total tackles once more, that will be an amazing feat considering the type of attention he will merit from opposing offensive lines. Campbell had a pair of interceptions last season, too. One area Campbell could improve is in the tackles for loss and sacks department. He finished the 2021 season with 3.5 tackles for loss and one sack.

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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.

5 Iowa football kickoff times announced on the Hawkeyes’ 2022 schedule

As the season is rapidly approaching, five kickoff times and four TV designations for the 2022 Iowa Hawkeyes’ season were announced.

After a 10-win campaign that included a Big Ten West division championship, there’s reason for optimism entering 2022 for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Sure, quarterback Spencer Petras and Iowa’s passing offense needs its sorting out, but the defense returns star power that should keep the Hawkeyes in a position to once again be a factor in the Big Ten West and perhaps repeat within the division.

Naturally, the hope is that Iowa progresses enough offensively to where Hawkeye fans can dream bigger than just capturing the Big Ten West. In the meantime, there’s eternal optimism here about how the 2022 season might unfold and what’s in store for the Hawkeyes next season.

With that in mind, fans can now plan accordingly for five dates on Iowa’s 2022 schedule as kickoff times and television designations have been announced for the first three weeks of the season by the Big Ten Network, ESPN and FOX Sports. Several other select dates were unveiled as well.

Iowa linebacker Jestin Jacobs allowed only one touchdown in coverage in 2021

Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Jestin Jacobs not only stuffed the run in 2021, he only allowed a single touchdown while in pass coverage.

The national media seems to be awakening more and more each day to the large and upcoming realization that is the Iowa Hawkeyes linebackers. This time it is junior linebacker Jestin Jacobs getting some love from the media outlets.

The junior from Englewood, Ohio, was the Hawkeyes’ fifth-leading tackler last year with 53 tackles in 2021. Not only does Jacobs play stout run defense, but his ability in the passing game is just as good. Per Pro Football Focus, Jacobs only allowed one touchdown in pass coverage in 2021.

This statistic speaks to one of the strengths that Jacobs brings to the table. His athleticism and speed within the sideline-to-sideline play has caught the eye of NFL scouts and should only continue to gain more traction with the upcoming season.

With the modern-era of football making running backs viable pass catchers, linebackers have to be able to run in space and make plays in pass coverage. Jacobs’ ability to do this should prove to be a huge asset for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Jestin Jacobs is paired with Jack Campbell, his linebacking partner that has collected a handful of PFF recognition as the best run stopper in the Power Five along with being a 2023 NFL draft riser.

Also alongside Jacobs is the third part of the linebacker crew, Seth Benson. While a little bit more under the radar and less discussed, Benson is a vital piece of Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker’s defense and trailed only Campbell in tackles. Benson had 105 tackles in the 2021 season.

This recognition joins an ever-growing list of leaderboards we are seeing Hawkeyes appear on. This might be one of the first times we see Jacobs’ name getting national news, but it can be expected that it will not be the last time.

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Pro Football Focus puts Hawkeyes LB Jack Campbell atop mountain of Power 5 run stoppers

Pro Football Focus announced Jack Campbell is atop its list of Power Five linebackers in his ability to thwart the run game.

Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Jack Campbell once again finds himself among the top of another impressive statistical category, adding to his already growing hype. The returning leader of the Hawkeyes’ defense now stands atop the Power Five as the co-leader of run stops from the 2021 season.

With his output and production, it is not a shock that Pro Football Focus has come to love the performance Jack Campbell has shown Iowa fans every week he has donned the black and gold. They join 247Sports as an outlet lauding Campbell’s potential at the next level. 247Sports listed Campbell as one of the nation’s players with the best chance to increase their draft stock in 2022.

With 143 tackles last season, a third of those coming as run stops is a statement performance from a linebacker in the Big Ten West. Campbell stonewalled running backs from teams that love to run the ball. Wisconsin, Northwestern, Minnesota, and Illinois all tried to run the ball and Campbell showed up time and time again.

While Jack Campbell may be the heartbeat of this defense, the trio of Hawkeyes linebackers, which includes Seth Benson and Jestin Jacobs, make up the entire backbone. The three linebackers will look to once again be the glue that propels Iowa into another stellar year on defense.

Coming off of a huge 2021, Campbell’s name will only become more prevalent in headlines, but Hawkeye fans shouldn’t bat an eye at that. The All-American and All-Big Ten senior out of Cedar Falls is looking to do nothing but improve in every single way.

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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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Iowa Hawkeyes’ defensive backbone is trio of returning linebackers

The Iowa Hawkeyes’ defense has quite a trio of linebackers returning to be the backbone of an already stout defense.

The always stout defense of the Iowa Hawkeyes is returning a trio that combined for 301 tackles last season, or roughly one-third of the entire tackles totaled. They are one of seven teams in the country that had multiple players with 100-plus tackles. That sort of output returning is not common and should provide an experienced backbone to lead a defense that constantly performs under defensive coordinator Phil Parker.

That trio consists of the three returning starting linebackers, last year’s leading tackler [autotag]Jack Campbell[/autotag], second-leading tackler [autotag]Seth Benson[/autotag] and fourth leading tackler [autotag]Jestin Jacobs[/autotag]. Trotting out those three each week gives Iowa an extremely long and athletic core on defense that can cover grass fast. Not only do they show out every fall weekend, they’re even better humans than football players.

Iowa’s linebacking core is the heart and soul and good enough for multiple media outlets to rank them in the top 25 following the conclusion of spring ball. Between USA TODAY Sports and 247Sports, the Hawkeyes find themselves at No. 11 and No. 23 in the country.

Jack Campbell

Led by a future NFL draft pick, Campbell is bringing his length and rangy sideline-to-sideline play back to Iowa City to command the defense. His 143 tackles last year speak for themselves. Campbell possesses the ability to not only constantly find the ball, but also to make the play when he finds himself with the opportunity.

Seth Benson

Seth Benson seems to be a bit of the unsung hero and the lesser talked about in the Hawkeyes’ linebacker bunch. His 105 tackles in 2021 were good enough for 13th-best in the nation and proof he deserves more recognition.

The Sioux Falls, S.D., product was another one of the anchors on a defense that gave up only 19.2 points per game. Benson not only plugs the gap in the run game, but has proven himself more than capable of following Big Ten running backs around in the passing game.

Jestin Jacobs

Jestin Jacobs is entering his third season donning the black and gold for Iowa. He has garnered intrigue for his athleticism and flashes of closing speed in the flat against wide receivers and running backs. While a little less seasoned than Campbell and Benson, his ceiling may be the highest of all three. That is more than enough to get Iowa fans and NFL scouts interested in what he can continue to do.

One of ESPN‘s post-spring takeaways on the Iowa Hawkeyes hypothesizes another season filled with very stout defense each week against whoever lines up against them. These three make the Iowa Hawkeyes’ defense go and are often involved in tackles for losses, turnovers, and big defensive stands. Expect more of the same this fall.

Having a backbone with the likes of Campbell, Benson, and Jacobs sets up a defense that can be aggressive, risk-taking, and fearless making plays because they know they have a three-headed monster of linebackers that will help clean up the mess.

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Iowa projected to meet Arkansas in the Music City Bowl by 247Sports

247Sports writer Brad Crawford projected the Iowa Hawkeyes to meet the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Music City Bowl.

It’s never too early to start thinking about what a possible bowl destination might look like for the Iowa Hawkeyes. The projections are in from at least one writer.

247Sports’ Brad Crawford put together a spring practice edition of bowl projections for the 2022 season. Crawford has Iowa meeting the Arkansas Razorbacks in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl from Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. If this matchup comes to fruition, it would represent just the second all-time meeting between the two programs. Iowa won the lone meeting over Arkansas, 25-0, all the way back on Oct. 3, 1925.

While it’s not a Rose Bowl or College Football Playoff destination, the sheer intrigue of these two teams having not seen each other but one time would make for an exciting matchup. Plus, Arkansas returns one of the better quarterbacks in the SEC in KJ Jefferson.

Jefferson passed for 2,676 yards and 21 touchdowns against just four interceptions last season. The dual-threat signal-caller also rushed for 664 yards and six touchdowns. In the process, Jefferson and the Hogs enjoyed a resurgent season, finishing 9-4 with an Outback Bowl win over Penn State, 24-10.

If it’s anything like last season’s Music City Bowl, then fans would be in for a treat. That wound up being one of the most exciting games of the entire bowl season as Purdue triumphed over Tennessee, 48-45, in overtime. Boilermakers quarterback Aidan O’Connell threw for 534 yards and five touchdowns and Purdue wide receiver had seven receptions for 217 yards and a pair of scores.

It would mark the second invitation to the Music City Bowl under Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz. The Hawkeyes were scheduled to play Missouri on Dec. 30, 2020, but COVID-19 issues within the Tigers’ program forced a cancellation.

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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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