Iowa Football: 2017 post-regular season position grades

The Iowa defensive backs were nothing short of superb throughout all of the 2017 season. The defensive backfield combined to produce 19 interceptions throughout the season, tied for second most in the FBS. Perhaps most impressively, Iowa did this without their starting free safety from a year ago, Brandon Snyder, who played in only one game due to injury. The Hawkeyes are building a reputation for churning out stud defensive backs and a solid secondary.

At the start of the season, many were wondering who would replace former First-team All-American Desmond King as Iowa’s premier corner. The answer turned out to be junior cornerback, Joshua Jackson. Jackson bursted on to the national scene following his three interception performance against Ohio State. He then followed that up by not having one, but two pick six’s against Wisconsin.

Worst Game:

The Hawkeye defensive backfield did not perform well against Purdue as the Boilermakers were finally the ones to realize throwing in Joshua Jackson’s vicinity is not recommended. Purdue receivers constantly burned Manny Rugamba and his replacement Michael Ojemudia, until the point true freshman Matt Hankins was put in and managed to hold his own very well. Iowa DB’s had many chances at big interceptions but failed to deliver on those chances.

Best Game:

Iowa’s secondary made Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett look like a third string quarterback as he was picked off four times. Barrett had only thrown one interception all season coming into the ballgame. An ominous sign of things to come was when Barrett was intercepted by Iowa safety Amani Hooker on the first play of the game and returned it for a touchdown. Joshua Jackson then proceeded to intercept Barrett three more times, including this insane one-handed catch.

This secondary was a pleasant surprise.