Phil Parker thrives on a good secondary, and while there is some bad news, other areas of confidence pick up for it.
Football can be a game of give and take, and Iowa’s secondary is experiencing that firsthand as the Hawkeyes prepare to unveil a revamped unit in their Week 1 matchup against Northern Illinois.
Heading into the season, plenty of questions remain surrounding the Iowa defense. How quickly will the new pieces come together? Which players will emerge as difference-makers? Could the unit take a step backward? Those questions will soon be answered.
The Bad News
Iowa landed a significant transfer portal addition this offseason in safety Tyler Brown, who played for James Madison last season and gained valuable College Football Playoff experience. However, his availability and role early in the season remain uncertain.
“I think it’s very iffy right now. That’s a pretty significant soft tissue deal, so we will play that one by ear. Anthony Hawkins has been working in Tyler’s absence,” Ferentz said regarding Brown.
The Good News
Iowa has Zach Lutmer and Deshaun Lee as options at cornerback, but with Tyler Brown sidelined, Lutmer could move back to safety.
That would create even more uncertainty at the second cornerback spot, which has been a major question mark throughout the offseason as the Hawkeyes searched for someone to emerge.
“Deshaun Lee is a veteran guy playing his best football, and our best guys have to play their best football, or we are going to be in trouble. He’s done that and had a really good camp.
“Jaylen has done that too. We have also gained some confidence with Jacob Wallace and Rashad Godfrey. I think if you look at that group right there, it’s reassuring we have four guys there that are pretty solid, and that we feel comfortable with in the game,” Ferentz said about the team’s depth.
The Reality
Tyler Brown’s injury will force Iowa to make some adjustments in the secondary, but the situation may not be as concerning as it initially appears. As Zach Lutmer explained during Big Ten Media Days, safety is the position where he feels most comfortable.
Moving Lutmer back to safety should be a relatively smooth transition while opening up another opportunity at cornerback, which could ultimately work in Iowa’s favor.
The Hawkeyes also aren’t scheduled to face particularly dangerous passing offenses in their first three games against Northern Illinois, Iowa State and Northern Iowa. With that in mind, allowing Brown to fully recover before returning to the field could be the smartest approach.
Those early matchups could also provide valuable game experience for Iowa’s younger cornerbacks. Getting meaningful snaps early in the season could accelerate their development while giving the Hawkeyes additional depth to rely on later in the year if injuries arise.
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