Veteran linebacker Jayden Montgomery was a pleasant surprise last season after starting middle linebacker Jaden Harrell struggled with injuries.
By the end of the season, Montgomery became the starter in the middle as his play forced Parker to keep him on the field. He played in all 13 games, earning seven starts, and made the most of his opportunities. Montgomery tallied 44 total tackles, two quarterback pressures, and two pass breakups. He will be in the mix for a starting linebacker spot this season, and as one of the leaders of the defense, he had extremely high praise for one of his teammates, who is projected to earn an expanded role this year.
Montgomery had nothing but positive words about DL Bryce Hawthorne's impact
One of the hardest-hit groups after last season is the defensive line, with all four starters gone. Aaron Graves (Baltimore Ravens), Ethan Hurkett (Kansas City Chiefs), Max Llewellyn (Miami Dolphins), and Brian Allen Jr. (transfer) are all gone, leaving some massive holes on the defensive line. The unit returns multiple contributors, including Iose Epenesa, Bryce Hawthorne, and Kenneth Merrieweather, and one of them has really impressed Montgomery throughout the offseason.
“Bryce Hawthorne is a beast. He makes my job easy,” Jayden Montgomery said during BTN’s look into fall camp.
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) August 24, 2026
Montgomery heaped praise on Bryce Hawthorne during BTN's stop in Iowa City on its training camp tour, calling him a "beast". Montgomery also said Hawthorne makes his job easy, which is extremely high praise. The defensive line's current status is relatively unknown, with Kirk Ferentz admitting they could easily rotate nine guys, but that didn't stop Montgomery from praising Hawthorne's play during camp. Hawthorne is one of the few key contributors returning this season, and he could be heavily leaned on to lead the group.
Hawthorne was an under-the-radar transfer portal pickup from South Dakota State after joining fellow Jackrabbit Mark Gronowski in Iowa City. Even with a veteran defensive line last season, Hawthorne made an immediate impact and is likely one of the new starters on a depleted defensive line. We really only get small looks at what the squad will be like before we see them on the field, but Montgomery's praise for Hawthorne is welcome news.
The uncertainty on the defensive line doesn't mean there aren't multiple talented players ready to step up, but it is good to see one of the unit's projected leaders getting praise from a fellow veteran. Montgomery has been in the program for five years and knows what it takes to be successful in Phil Parker's system, and if he is praising Hawthorne the way he is, that means we could have a potential star on the defensive line.
Parker's 4-5-2 defensive scheme is built on everyone staying in their lanes, with the four players up front getting sufficient pressure on the opposing quarterback. If the front falters even a little, the rest of the scheme breaks down. Hawthorne stepping up in camp is a welcome sign for the Hawkeyes, who will have to be better at pressuring the quarterback this season if they want to succeed.
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