Iowa Football: 3 upperclassmen who must step up in 2022

After Iowa football reached the Big Ten Championship game in 2021, it’s looking at these three upperclassmen to lead them back to Indianapolis.

The reigning Big Ten West champions, the Iowa Hawkeyes, look to get back to Indianapolis with an even more experienced crew.

While Iowa is not a flashy team that will always get the big-name recruits or transfers, they find ways to win games and that is due to the coaching and the utilization of upperclassmen who are disciplined and have a chip on their shoulder. Iowa has 17 starters returning, which fits the Iowa football brand of senior leadership and disciplined players.

Iowa lost five starters from 2021, which is a low number in comparison to many other programs across the country, but the impact of the players lost will have to be replaced in some capacity. From the Hawkeyes’ leader of the offensive line, center Tyler Linderbaum to defensive back Dane Belton, Iowa lost impact players.

The Iowa defense is a team that is known for its defense and ability to slow down high-powered offenses. Offensively, Iowa has struggled in the past to put points on the board, leaving a high pressure on the defense.

Iowa needs upperclassmen to step up on both sides of the ball to get them back to Indianapolis.

Here are three upperclassmen who need to take a jump this season.