Post Spring Position Outlook: Iowa defensive backs
For a while it looked like the Hawkeyes would have almost an entirely new defensive backfield in the 2024 season. Cooper DeJean seemed headed to the NFL and there was a decent chance that Jarmari Harris and Quinn Schulte would move on instead of returning for their Covid year.
DeJean did opt for the NFL and was a second round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles last weekend. But, Harris decided to come back instead of pursuing the NFL and Schulte put dental school on hold for one more year to lead the Iowa secondary.
While Iowa will certainly miss the impact that DeJean had every time he was on the field, they did get to know what life was like without him at corner after he broke his leg late last season.
Let’s take a look at what we learned and the storylines moving forward for the defensive backs.
WHO STARTS AT CORNERBACK?
This is probably one of the biggest questions on the defensive side of the ball. Harris sat out the spring recovering from injuries, so that opened the door for significant competition at both cornerback positions. Deshaun Lee filled in last year for DeJean and performed well with 32 tackles and three passes broken up.
But, when we got our look at the first unit in the final practice it certainly seemed like John Nestor and TJ Hall were moving up the depth chart. Nestor is one of the top buzz worthy players this spring. He started to really emerge as a special team’s player last and has continued his rise this spring. Nestor is the son of a coach and he plays like it with smart plays, but also a whole lot of energy.
Speaking of buzz, Hall created a good amount of it last year with his play last spring. Then it the fall it was injuries that kept him off the field for the second half of the season. How he’s healthy and showing that promise once again as a cornerback.
The good news, Iowa has four good options heading into fall camp.
WHAT HAPPENS WITH CASTRO/NWANKPA?
One of the interesting developments last year Xavier Nwankpa was dealing with a thumb injury and the result was when Iowa opted out of their “Cash” formation that Sebastian Castro was moving to strong safety.
That seemed to continue in the final practice, where Castro stayed out on the field and Nwankpa went to the sidelines when Iowa went to their traditional 4-3 formation.
Last season it didn’t amount to a whole lot of snaps, but it was still something worth noting. Last year, Castro played 921 snaps according to Pro Football Focus. Nwankpa played 838 snaps. Basically it’s close to 100 snaps, but will this trend continue?
ANY OTHER PLAYERS TO WATCH?
One player that really gained notoriety last year for what his coaches would say were not great reasons, was Koen Entringer. He flashed a bit early on in his career, but the play that everyone remembers is the punt return coverage against Michigan where he missed a tackle and then caught a Wolverine player inside the five yard line. He hurt his knee in the bowl game, but he’s said that he will be ready to go this fall.
Another player that appears to be on the rise is redshirt freshman Zach Lutmer. When Phil Parker mentions you a positive manner it usually means good things are coming. Lutmer could be in line to be Iowa’s starting free safety next fall when Schulte moves on.
