Defensive Back Preview

Much like the defensive line, the Hawkeye defensive backfield graduated a wealth of experience. Gone are both safties, Tyler Sash and Brett Greenwood. Sash left Iowa as its all time interception return yardage leader and Greenwood left after being a four year starter.


Safety

As noted above, both safties have graduated, which is never good and I am sure that if defensive coordinator Norm Parker he would rather lose cornerbacks than safties. In the two deep cover that Iowa runs, the safties are very important in lining up the defense and being disciplined as the last line of defense. What the Iowa coaches do as good as any coaches in the country is to get their best players on the field. That is what you are seeing this year with Micah Hyde (6-1, 185) moving from cornerback to free safety. Micah showed a nose for the ball grabbing 4 interceptions last year and returning two of them for touchdowns. Opposite Hyde at strong safety will be a position that won’t be decided till game week. Senior Jordan Bernstein (5-11, 205), junior Colin Sleeper (6-2, 200), and sophomore Tanner Miller (6-2, 200) will all be competing for playing time. Bernstein arrived on campus five years ago as a highly taughted recruit, but has been plauged by injuries. Miller played last year as a true freshman and was able to hold his own. Sleeper is the wild card here, he’s a guy that is very athletic, last year he played Denard Robinson for the scout team. Whichever one of these guys wins the job will be pushed all season for playing time by the two that aren’t starting.

Cornerback

Shaun Prater (5-11, 180) decided to return to campus after toying with the idea of leaving early to the NFL. The senior is returning after a first team all-Big Ten selection last season and is an All-American candidate. There isn’t much else to say about Prater, he is one of the better cover corners that Iowa has had under Kirk Ferentz and will see his numbers fall this season as opposing teams won’t target receivers on his side as much. Opposite Prater will be Greg Castillo (5-11, 182); the junior had 11 tackles last season in spot duty and looks to become the full time starter this season. Behind the starting corners will be B.J. Lowery (5-11, 185) who has made some impressive plays in open practices the last two seasons. Behind these three will be some young guys, Jordan Lomax (5-10, 185), Gavin Smith (5-10, 175), and Torrey Campbell (5-11, 183) will all be looking to find their way onto the field through backup roles and special teams.

Nickel package –

When Iowa goes to the Nickel package this season look for them to bring in an extra safety and move Micah Hyde down to play over the slot receiver, having three quality cover guys in this package should be a huge benefit for the Iowa defense.