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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