Iowa defensive back in line for interesting role in Iowa's first depth chart

The Iowa Hawkeyes are prepared to field one of the most impressive defensive units in the country for the 2024 college football season. The release of the team's first depth chart at Big Ten Media Days displayed a who's who of defensive stalwarts the team will lean on throughout the season.

But one player in the lineup looks to be in line to take a major step in versatility in Phil Parker's defense.

John Nestor, a sophomore cornerback from Chicago, has locked up one of the starting cornerback positions, lining up opposite of returning starter Jermari Harris. Deshaun Lee, who started six games last year, is listed behind Harris on the depth chart at right cornerback. TJ Hall, a junior who played in six games before missing the remainder of the season to injury, is listed behind Nestor.

The expectation is that Nestor, Hall and Lee will still be competing for playing time outside as the season gets started. However, Nestor landing at the top of the cornerback depth chart isn't the most surprising detail.

Nestor is also listed as the backup to Sebastian Castro at the Cash position. Castro is one of the stars of the defense, who is asked to do pretty much everything from his versatile position. For Nestor to be listed behind him speaks to the work he's displayed throughout the spring and summer.

Nestor was brought in as a three-star safety in last year's recruiting class and primarily played on special teams in 10 games last year, recording just two tackles. In high school he also played both corner and safety, but the 5-foot-11, 196-pound defensive back is apparently looking to do the same for the Hawkeyes.

Of course, if Nestor waits until 2025 to play the Cash position in a meaningful capacity, that won't be the worst outcome. Castro is counting on a big season in his last for the Hawkeyes.

Nonetheless, knowing that his eventual replacement is athletic enough to grasp both positions this early on is a great sign for the future of the Iowa defense.

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