Phil Parker
A year ago a veteran corps of linebackers were expected to carry an Iowa defense that had a young but talented defensive line. This year a veteran defensive front will have three new starters behind it.
“It’s a shift from last year, it was the linebackers were more experienced and then the D-line kind of picked it up and did a good job,” Parker says. “It happens every year, you always are going to have strengths, you always are going to have weakneses. You’ve got to keep improving on your weakenesses and keep on improving the guys who are your strenghts,” according to Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker.
Parker says much of the time in preseason camp will be spent building depth as they need some at linebacker and the defensive line. Parker says building depth also gives them a chance to find players who may help on certain downs. He says they may find a younger guy who can fit into those special packages or a guy at another position.
Iowa opens at home against UNI on August 30th.