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Iowa football: Best/worst case scenarios for Hawkeyes in 2019

By Ryan Sikes

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 01: Nate Stanley #4 of the Iowa Hawkeyes passes during the 2019 Outback Bowl against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 01: Nate Stanley #4 of the Iowa Hawkeyes passes during the 2019 Outback Bowl against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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A.J. Epenesa Iowa Hawkeyes
(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Junior defensive end A.J. Epenesa figures to be a force on the Iowa football defense in 2019.

The Iowa football team will be relying on their defense again this season. As previously noted, the team lost key guys like Amani Hooker, Anthony Nelson, Parker Hesse, and Jake Gervase. A.J. Epenesa figures to have the starting gig at defensive end this season after coming in as part of a rotation the past two seasons.

The other guys on the defensive line have a big opportunity to step up in 2019 as Epenesa is likely to be double-teamed most of the time, which leaves the door open for guys like Brady Reiff, Cedrick Lattimore, and Chauncey Golston.

As for the linebackers, the team broke in three new linebackers last season, but all three of these guys will be returning in 2019. Kristian Welch might be the best of the group and he’ll be playing middle linebacker this season after shifting around last year. Welch finished the 2018 campaign with 49 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sack.

The two outside linebackers in Nick Niemann and Djimon Colbert played a big role in a defense that ranked in the top 10 last year. Niemann missed a few weeks with a knee injury he suffered in the Wisconsin game, but still recorded 43 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 1 sack. Colbert was not originally a starter in 2018 but became one because of injuries and/or lack of performance. He finished the year with 52 total tackles, 1 tackle for loss and 1 sack.

Best Case Scenario

The defensive front seven is as dominant as it was last season forcing turnovers that land in the waiting arms of the secondary. Epenesa puts up double-digit sack numbers in route to All-American honors and wreaks havoc in the backfield. Guys like Chauncey Golston and Brady Reiff become household names around the Big Ten that teams need to account for. The linebacker corps plays well and rivals the 2017 starters for best linebacker trio at Iowa.

Worst Case Scenario

Epenesa is double teamed but none of the other guys are able to take advantage and less pressure is applied to opposing quarterbacks who have all day to throw the football. The linebacker corps regresses from last season and are often caught out of place or overpursue on play action fakes.

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