Iowa defensive coordinator Norm Parker says he is leading a much different looking unit this spring. The Hawkeyes lost several key performers off last year’s team that ended the season with a victory over Missouri in the Insight Bowl. Parker says the most notable difference is the loss of Karl Klugg, Christian Ballard and Adrian Clayborn on the defensive line.
Parker says the defense has fairly decent speed and he thinks they will be fairly good, he just questions when that will happen.
Parker says the defense is young but talented and they seem to be enthusiastic.
Parker says this spring the focus has been on fundamentals and he says they are fun to coach as they are getting better. He says they make mistakes and they try to cure some of the mistakes and hope they don’t happen during games.
The Hawks close out spring drills with a controlled scrimmage on Saturday and Parker says the defense needs a game-like experience. Parker says it is good to find out who will be the leader on defense. “You know a lot of guys like to play in the band, but not a lot of guys like to lead the band,” Parker says.