Phil Parker is one of the best defensive coordinators in the Big Ten, maybe the country.
Parker helped produce Desmond King and Josh Jackson.
Both were consensus All-Americans, both intercepted eight passes in one season and both still play in the NFL.
The Hawks had 11 interceptions last year, third best in the Big Ten. Iowa had 64 interceptions since 2017, tying for the most by any team in the country.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Start with cornerbacks, the Hawks have two good ones.
Matt Hankins (6-0, 180) took the extra year from COVID and is a four-year letterman, while Riley Moss (6-1, 191) is a three-year letterman.
Hankins played as a true freshman and was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten last season. He played in 38 games for the Hawks, has 104 tackles and three interceptions.
Moss played in 30 games with 58 tackles and six interceptions, two each year.
Jack Koerner (6-0, 205) is the top free safety.
Koerner was named Second Team All-Big Ten last year, picking off passes in three straight games.
Kaevon Merriweather (6-0, 205) is the No. 1 strong safety.
Merriweather played as a true freshman and started five games last season.
Moss, Hankins and Koerner are all seniors, Merriweather is a junior, so experience is a big plus for Iowa.
Backups at corner include Jermari Harris (6-1, 177), Terry Roberts (5-10, 177) and Xavior Williams, who transferred from UNI.
Harris played in six games and is a redshirt sophomore.
Roberts played in 20 games and made his mark on special teams.
Williams is a two-time first-team all-conference player in the Missouri Valley Conference.
I said before, as long as Phil Parker is defensive coordinator, the Hawkeye defense will be good.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Iowa has two All-Big Ten players back from last season.
Tory Taylor (6-4, 215), the man from down under, Australia, was a great pick.
Taylor’s 44.1-yard average ranked third in the Big Ten and he was named First Team Freshman All-American.
Taylor had nine punts of 50 or more yards, 18 punts inside the 20 and the opponents averaged 5.2 yards per return.
Some of those punts reminded me of the late, great Reggie Roby, who still holds the NCAA record with a 49.8 average in 1981.
It’s sad to think Roby left us in 2005. He was only 43.
The nice part of having Tory Taylor is he is a sophomore this fall.
Charlie Jones (6-0, 187) is a walk-on from Buffalo University.
Jones earned a scholarship in December of 2020 and led the Big Ten in punt returns with a 10.5 average.
Jones was named First Team All-Big Ten and Honorable Mention All-American.
He had a punt return for a touchdown against Michigan State.
Caleb Shudak replaces Keith Duncan as the place kicker.
Shudak was Academic All-Big Ten for four years and handled kickoff duties the last two seasons.
Shudak got an extra year because of the virus and has a strong leg.
IOWA SCHEDULE
Sept. 4- Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana finished 6-2 last year, 6-1 in the Big Ten.
The Hoosiers had wins over Penn State, Michigan and Michigan State.
They lost to Ole Miss., 26-20, in the Outback Bowl, ranked 13th at the end of the season.
This will be a tough opener.
Sept. 11- at the Iowa State Cyclones
The Cyclones had one of their best seasons ever, finishing 9-3, 8-1 in the Big 12. Iowa State knocked off Oklahoma, 37-30, during the season and lost to the Sooners, 27-21, in the Big 12 championship. The ‘Clones were ranked ninth at the end of the season.
Sept. 18- Kent State Golden Flashes
Kent State played only four games last year, going 3-1.
They averaged 50 points per game and gave up 38 per game.
Iowa should roll.
Sept. 25- Colorado State Rams
The Rams also only played four games last fall, going 1-3.
Their only win was over Wyoming, 34-24.
They averaged 22 points per game and gave up 36.
Oct. 2- at the Maryland Terrapins
Maryland played five games last year, going 2-3.
They had wins over Minnesota, 45-44, in overtime, and beat Penn State, 35-19.
Oct. 9- Penn State Nittany Lions
The Lions finished 4-5 last fall, including a 41-21 loss to Iowa.
The Hawks exploded for three touchdowns in the second quarter, two by Mekhi Sargent. The win snapped a six-game losing streak to the Lions.
Oct. 16- Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue finished 2-4 last year, including a 24-20 win over Iowa in the season opener. Iowa led, 20-17, in the fourth quarter but a fumble led to the winning score by Purdue. David Bell caught three touchdown passes.
Oct. 23- Bye
Oct. 30- at the Wisconsin Badgers
The Badgers finished 4-3 last year, including a 28-7 loss to Iowa.
Tyler Goodson broke away for an 80-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter and Spencer Petras passed for two touchdowns.
Nov. 6- at the Northwestern Wildcats
The ‘Cats finished 7-2 last year, including a 21-20 win over Iowa.
The Hawks jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter but couldn’t hold on.
Nov. 13- Minnesota Gophers
The Gophers were 3-4 last year, including a 35-7 loss to Iowa.
Tyler Goodson scored twice and Iowa led, 35-0, going into the fourth quarter.
Nov. 20- Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois finished 2-6 last year, as Iowa rolled over the Illini, 35-21.
Spencer Petras passed for three touchdowns and Iowa won their fifth straight.
Nov. 26- at the Nebraska Cornhuskers
The Huskers were 3-5 last fall, including a 26-20 loss to Iowa.
Keith Duncan kicked three field goals and Tyler Goodson ran for 111 yards.
The Hawkeyes won their last six games and finished 6-2.
Their final game against Michigan and their bowl game against Missouri were canceled.
I almost forgot how many games were canceled last season.
Hopefully all will get played this fall.

Gallery • 3 Photos

Brian Ray

Hawkeye defensive back Matt Hankins (8) against the Nebraska Cornhuskers Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium. (Brian Ray/hawkeyesports.com)