Fansided
Fansided

Iowa Hawkeyes loading up on defensive ends for 2020

By Sayre Bedinger

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 27: The Iowa Hawkeyes celebrate after defeating the Boston College Eagles in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 27, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Iowa Hawkeyes won 27-20. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 27: The Iowa Hawkeyes celebrate after defeating the Boston College Eagles in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 27, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Iowa Hawkeyes won 27-20. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Iowa Hawkeyes are loading up on defensive ends in their 2020 recruiting class. What’s the future look like for them at that position?

The Iowa Hawkeyes are putting together an impressive recruiting class for the 2020 season (20 commitments and counting), but they are recruiting heavily at the defensive end position.

To be specific, seven of the Hawkeyes’ 20 commitments at this point play the defensive end position or are athletes being recruited at the defensive end spot.

Why? The Hawkeyes might be losing star defensive end AJ Epenesa at the end of this season, but seven defensive ends would commit in the same recruiting class because the Hawkeyes develop talent at defensive end exceptionally well.

Not only that, they get these guys on the field in a variety of ways. Iowa will play guys at base defensive end positions and allow those same guys to kick inside on passing downs in their “NASCAR” packages.

Here’s a quick look at the seven defensive ends the Hawkeyes have reeled in for the 2020 class:

Michael Lois (Elkhorn, WI): 6’4″ 260 pounds
Isaiah Bruce (Lena, IL): 6’2″ 265 pounds
Logan Jones (Council Bluffs, IA): 6’3″ 252 pounds
Mason Richman (Stilwell, KS): 6’5″ 259 pounds
Yahya Black (Marshall, MN): 6’5″ 250 pounds
Lukas Van Ness (Barrington, IL): 6’5″ 240 pounds
Aaron Witt (Winona, MN): 6’5″ 230 pounds

All of those players have relatively similar ratings from Rivals.com, but their ability to contribute right away will depend on a variety of factors.

Some of these players are just not yet ready physically for the rigors of going up against ‘veteran’ Big Ten linemen. Some of these guys definitely have the potential if they can enroll early or add some weight in their senior year of high school to play right away, especially if Epenesa leaves.

The emphasis on this position means Iowa is going to be loaded for years to come at the position. They could opt to redshirt most of these guys and play just a couple, which would certainly fit Kirk Ferentz’ MO through the years.

Next. 2019 NFL Draft grades for all 32 teams. dark

Ferentz is notorious for playing veteran players and the Hawkeyes are never short on defensive linemen, but this heavy emphasis at defensive end is an indicator that there will be an opportunity to contribute early for at least a couple of them in 2020.

Home/College Football