Iowa football: 3 biggest question marks heading into 2019
By Ryan Sikes
Trying to build off a solid 2018 campaign, the Iowa football team will have to address these three question marks heading into the season.
It’s natural in nearly all sports for teams to have question marks heading into a season. It’s no different for the 2019 Iowa football team. Every sports team has to deal with turnover and finding that next man to step up.
Last season marked the first time the Hawkeye offense was without running back Akrum Wadley and many wondered how they would perform. As it turns out, the running backs struggled. Mekhi Sargent shined late in the season but it took some time for the coaching staff to determine who was best suited to carry the load.
The Hawkeye defense was also replacing all three starting linebackers as the reigning Big Ten Linebacker and Player of the Year in Josey Jewell, who had moved onto the NFL. The great thing about Kirk Ferentz and his coaching staff is that they do a terrific job of getting players prepared for their time to shine.
The defense could have taken a huge step back, but they finished as the seventh-best defense in the country in 2018. Guys like Kristian Welch, Djimon Colbert, Nick Niemann, and Geno Stone all saw a significant increase in playing time from the previous season.
Let’s look at the three biggest question marks surrounding the 2019 squad.