Iowa Football: 5 Bold Predictions for September

2. Pressuring the quarterback

It has been talked about quite a bit around Iowa City about the insane depth of the defensive line coming into the 2018 season. Some drawing the comparisons with defensive lines we saw in the early 2000’s with Matt Roth, Jonathan Babineaux and Jarred Clauss and the late 2000’s with Adrian Clayborn, Christian Ballard and Mitch King. This unit really has a chance to be something special.

With that being said, the defensive end trio of Anthony Nelson, Parker Hesse and A.J. Epenesa will produce 10+ sacks combined in the month of September. Nelson has received some well-deserved accolades in the preseason as many media outlets have him as a second-team all-Big Ten defensive end. Parker Hesse has done nothing but bring stability to the other defensive end position and A.J. Epenesa specializes in terrorizing quarterbacks.

Is this a high bar to set? Absolutely, but to be great, you have to set the bar high. Those three players mentioned above are exceptional pass rushers and have great ability in terms of shedding blocks and hunting down the quarterback. This defensive line has the opportunity to be great and this will be a great start on the journey.