The Iowa football team has Saturday off and it couldn’t come at a better time. How will the linebacker group be changing over the next few weeks?
The original starting trio of linebackers to begin the season for the Iowa football program was Kristian Welch, Nick Niemann, and Amani Jones. Jones was replaced halfway through game one and the Hawks finished off a great second half against NIU. Since that time Djimon Colbert and Jack Hockaday have started games, and we are likely to see a few more added to the mix over the coming weeks.
The one constant with the Iowa football program’s linebackers is that nothing has been constant. The Hawks have rolled out three different starting groups in four games. That is likely to continue with Nick Niemann being ruled out for the next few weeks. Niemann has been an integral part of the defense and the most consistent player in the young linebacker group.
Defensive coordinator Phil Parker is trying out a variety of different options over the course of these two weeks and will ultimately place what he feels is the best trio out there when the Hawks kick off against Minnesota.
At this time, it appears like it will be Barrington Wade, a sophomore out of Skokie, Illinois. In Wednesday’s press conference with the Iowa football coordinators, Phil Parker had this to say:
"I think Barrington Wade has been playing out there, and he’s been doing a good job in practice. So we’re please to see where he’s going."
He went on to say though that they are mixing a few things up and trying other guys out there. With the emergence of freshman Djimon Colbert, season opener starter Kristian Welch could see time at Niemann’s usual spot as well.
"We’ll probably move Kristian and he’ll be taking some reps there at outside backer. He played there early in camp, and he has flexibility, so we’re confident we can move him out there too. So he’ll be taking reps at both places."
Djimon Colbert, the redshirt freshman from Shawnee Mission, Missouri has been vying for playing time after starting in week two. His stellar play has forced Parker into a good situation having multiple options at the weak side linebacker position.
"I think he’s played well. I think Djimon and Kristian both have to go in there. We’ve put Amani a little bit in there, working him a little bit maybe at the Will."
Heading into the season, Iowa’s linebacker unit was seen as a glaring weakness on an otherwise sound defense. Due to injuries though, we are seeing just how great Iowa’s linebacker depth actually is, and the most importantly, it is a lot of young guys. Parker is definitely excited about what kind of depth the linebacker unit possess in the Iowa football program, and ultimately how they are handling the test through four games. In typical Iowa football fashion, the guys have bought into the mindset and are focused on working hard.
"I just like the way they’re all into it and everybody has bought in. Nobody really cares who is the starter. Everybody understands that they might play. They might play ten, they might play 15. They might play the whole game. Just the way they are unselfish about how the thing — what is best for the team."
Although the position is in flux between injuries and unexpected high performances, it is a good issue for the Hawks to have. It will be interesting to see how Phil Parker continues to work in each of his talented young linebackers in to the game and to ultimately see how the starting trio evolves over the season. One thing is certain, this position is no longer the weakness it was once considered after the high-profile departures of Josey Jewell, Ben Niemann, and Bo Bowers.