Iowa Football 2018: 5 bold predictions for November

3. Julius Brents makes some noise

Iowa’s secondary seemed to be one of the concrete position groups for the Hawkeyes coming into 2018, with Michael Ojemudia and Matt Hankins replacing the departing Josh Jackson and Manny Rugamba. However, after the Wisconsin game, the lineup saw a shakeup due to injury. Defensive coordinator Phil Parker then did something almost unheard of an inserted two true freshman at both cornerback spots: Riley Moss and Julius Brents.

It has been trial by fire for both Moss and Brents, but they have been, for the most part, superb in doing their jobs, which is very surprising for two true freshmen coming in. Julius Brents has perhaps been the most impressive freshman on the Iowa defense. He is Phil Parker’s prototypical cornerback, tall, lanky and could jump out of a gym. This length has caused quarterbacks to stay away from his side of the field.

While Riley Moss currently has more interceptions than Brents, I expect him to change that as the Hawkeyes look to go up against more experienced quarterbacks like Clayton Thorson and David Blough, who will not be afraid of the athletic Brents. It is also likely he will end up having to cover the electrifying Rondale Moore and Purdue will try to get the ball in his hands as much as possible. Brents has passed with flying colors so far, and I expect him to continue doing so.