Iowa Football: Are Hawkeyes serious Big Ten title contenders in 2020?
By Shane Lunnen
Defense needs to replace several key components
The Hawkeye defense was stout a year ago, ranking 12th in the country in total overall defense. It gave up only 14 points per game, did not allow more than 24 points in a single game, and recorded two shutouts. Unfortunately for the Hawkeyes and defensive coordinator Phil Parker, they will need to replace a lot of the star power.
The Iowa sack leader from a year ago, defensive end AJ Epenesa, was a second round draft pick for the Buffalo Bills. Both starting tackles Cedrick Lattimore and Brady Reiff are gone as well leaving defensive end Chauncey Golston as the lone returnee along the defensive front.
The linebacking unit lost the team’s leading tackler in Kristian Welch. They will need to find a replacement for the middle with Dillon Doyle following his dad, former strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle, to Baylor. Nick Neimann and Dijmon Colbert should be a good pairing at the outside spots.
The secondary loses three starters with cornerback Michael Ojemudia and safety Geno Stone both now in the NFL. There was depth in the secondary last season so of all the losses, it might not be felt as much with this unit. Free safety Jack Koerner returns after being the second leading tackler on last year’s team.