The Iowa football team’s move to a more modern 4-2-5 defense has caused waves through Hawkeyes nation. Here’s what led to an unexpected transition.
One of the beautiful things about watching Iowa football is you almost always know what you’re going to get. Until last season, they weren’t going to get you with trick plays, or risk it on fourth down, or leave their base defensive package often. They were going to beat you by playing fundamental football much better than you, and despite being overmatched athletically in many games, the Iowa football team wins and prevails because they work hard, play smart, and have an incredible will to do whatever it takes.
But all good things must come to an end, and the Iowa football team, despite being one of the few remaining teams running a traditional 4-3 defense as its most common defensive package, decided to make a change early last season that has already had quite an effect on the program.
The 4-2-5 is here to stay ladies and gentleman, we know that, but I want to take some time to look at how we got here.
First, the biggest reason for this switch is that few teams actually run pro-style offenses consistently. Wisconsin and Michigan are two of the few left in the country and even Michigan is switching it up a bit. Instead, teams are lining up 3, 4 and 5 wide every play and spreading out the defense. This would mean the Iowa football team would have to send a linebacker out in coverage on a wide receiver. Surprisingly, this wasn’t as big of a mismatch as expected because the Hawks predominantly play a zone defense, but it’s still not ideal.
Second, the Iowa football team had just the right personnel issues to sort of force a move. Amani Hooker was a perfect fit for the “cash” role, but the lack of consistency and depth at the linebacker position likely is what warranted consideration of this defensive switch. Last season, six linebackers started a game for the Iowa football team after the Hawks lost all three senior linebackers the following season to the NFL. At a certain point, you can’t stick with something just because you always have. The Hawks needed to get their best players on the field so Hooker slid down into a do-it-all role that had him playing the run, covering the slot, and dropping back if necessary. He crushed it, but this leads me to my third point.
Third and often the most overlooked reason for this move is the emergence of Geno Stone who started 8 games and led the team in interceptions. No, Stone did not begin seeing time because of an injury at the safety position. He began seeing time because the Hawks coaching staff couldn’t afford to keep him off the field.
With limited depth at linebacker, versatile safety who can do pretty much anything, and a stud-in-the-waiting behind him, the Iowa football program had to do what it could to get the best 11 guys on the field.
After seeing the success of the switch, it sounds like it is firmly here to stay. The Iowa football team even released an initial two-deep depth chart with the “cash” position listed.
Welcome to the 21st century, Kirk Ferentz. I’m excited to see what this defense can do in year two.