Iowa football: Geno Stone will be a national name in 2019

Lost in the middle of the Iowa football teams’ elite defense in 2018 was the breakout of safety Geno Stone. He will be a national name in 2019 though.

Statistics are interesting. They allow you to paint a picture but can be easily manipulated to show the picture you want to show. So when a backup safety registers a team-high 4 interceptions, outsiders may question the legitimacy of those picks. In the case of Iowa football player Geno Stone, they shouldn’t.

Analytics show this guy wasn’t just benefiting from one of those right place-right time situations as some safeties do, rather, he is a standout coverage guy.

Last year though, Stone was in the shadow of Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year Amani Hooker.

This year he is not, and with the Iowa football team returning an outstanding defense, we very well could see Stone rise to national notoriety in 2019.

According to Pro Football Focus, Stone allowed just a 58.3 passer rating while posting an 89.8 coverage grade.

With Hooker and Jake Gervase now gone, Geno Stone is the leader of the last line of defense for the Iowa football team.

Despite the fact that Stone started 8 games last season and saw significant action, his production should skyrocket in his first season starting full-time for the Iowa football team and Phil Parker’s secondary unit.

His 39 total tackles, 4 interceptions, and 2 passes defended should improve especially with the Big Ten’s top pass rusher AJ Epenesa imposing his well against offensive tackles on a consistent basis.

Much like the great defensive backs before him, a strong 2019 season along with between 4-6 interceptions could see Geno Stone be the next to secure a Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year award.

Will Stone take the leap? The data and timing point to yes, and if he does that, this defense could actually meet the high expectations set upon it.