Defensive Position Battles

Most of the Defense is settled. The defense loses only Mitch King, Matt Kroul, and Bradley Fletcher. Of course in King and Kroul that is 97 career starts. Four seasons worth of starts. So the only real battles are at Dt and Rcb. Back up Mlb is up for grabs with the transfer of Jacody Coleman, but he was slated to red shirt anyway. I will go over the Dt and Rcb candidates and attempt another Phil Steele style 3-deep. I don't know how to run this site very well yet and my last attempt didn't work great so this one might not either.

Defense Tackles at Iowa are meant to control a specific gap. Kroul generally played Nose and King generally played the 3 technique. The idea is to occupy and disrupt the offensive line and make a play if you can otherwise let the Linebacker behind you come in and clean up. Kroul and King were amazingly effective playing together. Replacing that chemistry will be tough. It looks like it will be done by committee. Here are the guys looking to do the job.

Candidates- Karl Klug 6'4" 258 lbs Jr. Klug is the closest thing to King that Iowa has left. He won a Big Ten Player of the Week Award in the blow out win vs. Florida International by amassing tons of tackles for losses in garbage time. But he was the 3rd tackle in the rotation and played in goalline and short yardaged situations and made a key play in the win over Penn State. He basically is the size he is going to be. Putting weight on Klug has been a topic on message boards for as long as he has been at Iowa and it seems like he has topped out. He will do fine in that regard and is as close to a proven player that Iowa has at the position.

Mike Daniels 6'1" 267 So. Daniels is probably heavier than what I have him listed and is the leader so far to replace Kroul at nose. Has a reputation as a weight room warrior. If he can translate that strength into some of Kroul's technique good things will follow for Iowa. He just needs to occupy blockers and hold the point at the line of scrimmage. Saw the field some last season.

Travis Meade 6'0 285 Sr. Meade left a crowded interior line to get a shot at seeing the field more. Rumored to be seeing the field alot so far in fall camp. Could have a unique perspective on playing nose after having played center and guard the last two seasons. Will definately be in the mix early in the season.

Cody Hundertmark 6'4" 280 So. I see him listed as a Junior in a lot of magazines but it was my understanding that he took his red shirt last season. Played alot as a true freshman, and may have the best size of any of the candidates. Has struggled with injuries so far in the spring and this camp.

Steve Bigach 6'3" 270 R. Fr. He was reportedly "Doyelized" over his red shirt season. Getting alot of reps so far in fall camp and was complemented in the spring. More likely to play the 3 technique than the nose. Played De in high school.

Corner- Iowa runs basically three coverages: Cover 2, Cover 3 and Quarters. In Cover 2 the corner is in charge of 5 yards in front of the line of scrimmage and the flats( I know there are times when they are supposed to drop this isn't going to be that in depth). In cover 3 the field is divided into thirds and he can't let anyone get behind him. Quarters is the same principle as cover 3 only the field is divided into quarters instead of thirds. Much of the time Iowa runs a Cover 2. This is one of the reasons it is so tough to run against Iowa. Everyone is already looking in and keying on the run and letting the Safties worry about the pass. Corners at Iowa must tackle well. Corners must support against the run. It is better to give up the 5 yard pass completion than to try to make a play on the ball and give up a 50 yard Td.

Candidates- This just got a whole lot more interesting. I felt that this was Jordan Bernstine's job. He broke an ankle and is taking his red shirt. Five players will be competing for this spot now.

Shaun Prater 5'11" 175 So. I was suprised when he avoided a red shirt last season. Then he played a ton and outplayed Bernstine in many peoples' eyes. He might have beat out Bernstine this season but he was behind the eight ball because a bartender "kept putting alcohol in his coke". He is suspended for the first two games. He could win the job and start by the Arizona game and beyond. He is much better in coverage than run support. He needs to become more physical.

Willie Lowe 5'10" 170 Will try to capitalize on Prater's suspension and hold onto the starting spot after he returns. Very fast, another whose cover skills outstrip his tackling ability. He played some in nickel and dime packages last season but mostly on special teams. Made the two deeps after spring.

Greg Castillo 5'11" 180 Son of former Ferentz colleague Jaun(of the Eagles), he is a heady non- athlete that makes me think of Shada and not in a good way. He is in the running for the starting spot and will at least play special teams. Could be more athletic than I am giving credit for. Probalby won't make mental mistakes.

Micah Hyde 6'1" 170 True Fr. Great athlete and very good size for the position. Dazzled at Big 33 all star game. See quote about Keenan Davis in previous post. Cb has been a position where True Freshman have come in and contributed right away. Will probably play special teams and could be a return guy.

Chris Rowell 6'0" 195 Sr. Last go around, he could be like Razor Ramon and emerge out of relative obscurity. Played pretty well on special teams last season but I never saw him on the field defensively. Really grasping at straws here losing Bernstine really hurts.

Ok here is an attempt at a 3 deep I won't use the bullet thing this time
Returning Starters in Bold

Rcb Willie Lowe 5'10 170 So. Shaun Prater 5'11 175 So. Micah Hyde 6'1 170 Tr. Fr.
Will Jeremiha Hunter 6'2" 235 Jr. Jeff Tarpinian 6'3" 233 Jr.
Rde Adrian Clayborn 6'3" 282 Jr. LeBron Daniel 6'2 250 So. Joe Gaglione 6'5" 242 R.Fr.
Fs. Brett Greenwood 6'0" 200 Jr. Jack Swanson 5'11" 195 R.Fr. Nick Nielsen
Ng Mike Daniels 6'1" 267 So. Cody Hundertmark 6'4" 280 So./ Travis Meade 6'0" 285 Sr.
Mlb Pat Angerer 6'1 235 Sr. Troy Johnson 6'2" 235 Jr. Bruce Davis 6'0 232 So.
Dt Karl Klug 6'4" 258 Jr. Steve Bigach 6'3" 270 R.Fr.
Leo A.J. Edds 6'4" 245 Sr. Tyler Nielsen 6'4" 232
Lde Christian Ballard 6'5" 285 Jr. Broderick Binns 6'2" 255
SS Tyler Sash 6'1" 210 So. David Cato 5'11" 205
Lcb Amari Spievey 6'0" 190 Jr. Greg Castillo 5'11" 180 Chris Rowell 6'0" 195

* Chad Geary will back up both D- end positions and be in the mix for Dt time if he comes back from his ACL tear.
** I expect some fierce competition to back up Angerer. Johnson, Davis, Tarpinian, Reisen and even Tom Donatell could all play Mlb.
*** Karl Klug is the only sure thing at Dt. It would be nice to see more of a rotation this season. even perhaps defined roles. Iwould like to see Clayborn and Ballard slide inside on passing situations to get Binns on the field for a D-line of Clayborn, Klug, Ballard and Binns- sick, sick, sick.
**** Whoever loses the kicking job probably transfers after or even during the season. I think it makes the most sense to keep Mossbrucker but it looks like Murray is the leader in the clubhouse so far.