It is no secret that the Iowa defensive backs, outside of Jermari Harris and Sebastian Castro, struggled last season.
With Castro playing primarily as the "cash" linebacker, and Harris as a lockdown corner on one side, the opposite side of the field had a mix of TJ Hall and Deshaun Lee.
When Harris went down with an injury, Hall and Lee were thrust into heavier workloads, and they struggled in the Iowa secondary.
A prime example of this came during the 2024 TransPerfect Music City Bowl when Missouri quarterback Brady Cook torched the duo for 287 passing yards and three touchdowns.
The first official depth chart for the Hawkeyes for game one was released this week, with both Hall and Lee being named the starting corners.
Hall is not ducking questions about how the duo performed last season, but he believes he has taken a step forward, and has taken his game to the next level.
During media availability this week in a clip posted by "The Hawkeye Report," Hall addressed multiple questions surrounding his improvement and the improvement of the defensive back group as a whole.
Hall started by giving an update on his health after he missed time during fall camp with an injury. He stated that he is 100 percent healthy and feels great.
After discussing his health, Hall talked about how his game has improved from last season. He believes he has reached the next level with time and patience.
Hall attributes his improvement to having a better understanding of the game and the defensive system, and is adamant that it will be reflected in his performance and leadership next season.