Stars to replace, but UNI defensive line still has difference makers

Editor’s note: Third in a six-part series looking at Northern Iowa ahead of the 2022 football season.

CEDAR FALLS — Replacing first-round NFL Draft pick Trevor Penning is an obvious task for Northern Iowa’s offensive line.

What’s just as formidable, but less talked about, is replacing two-time Missouri Valley Football Conference defensive player of the year and All-America defensive tackle Jared Brinkman.

Brinkman, along with all-MVFC second teamer Tim Butcher, graduated after the 2021 season, leaving gaping holes in the interior of the Panthers defensive line.

The cupboard isn’t empty, though. Defensive ends Caden Houghtelling and Devin Rice earned preseason all-MVFC second-team honors after proving themselves a season ago as budding difference makers.

The duo combined for 11 1/2 sacks and 16 1/2 tackles for loss in 2021, but will have to deal with the reality of being marked men on opponents’ gameplans this season.

“They’re marked men — that’s a show of respect,” UNI defensive line coach Bryce Paup said. “So, they’ve just got to go out and do what they can, make the plays that they can and be OK drawing the double-team because if you’re taking two, someone else is free and they need to make the play.”

Paup and head coach Mark Farley have complimented the duo, along with junior defensive tackle Khristian Boyd.

Boyd, who missed two games last season due to injury and was limited in others due to ailments, is knocking off rust in fall camp, according to Paup, but still is being counted upon to produce at a high level.

“When you don’t have what you normally have you stop taking things for granted and you realize how blessed you are and how fortunate you are and it makes you enjoy and work a little bit harder and I think that’s the case with him,” Paup said of Boyd’s injury setbacks. “(It’s) just a matter of getting back into the flow and getting the hands and timing of his feet and once that happens he’ll be a force.”

Beyond Houghtelling, Rice and Boyd there’s fierce competition for the available snaps that largely exist in the interior of UNI’s defensive line.

Iowa State transfer Cordarrius Bailey, redshirt freshmen Jack Kriebs from Ankeny and Ethan George from Missouri, along with Stanford graduate transfer Dylan Boles — a Van Meter grad — are battling to replace the two decorated departees in Brinkman and Butcher.

“I think Jack Kriebs could step in and do really well this year. (Ethan George) did a nice job this summer in the weight room and he’s been around, he knows expectations and his technique has come a long way,” Paup said. “Between those two and maybe a few others — we have Cannon Butler from Waterloo Columbus — he’s doing really well. (Bailey) is picking up our defense and I think he’ll be a big factor for us as well.”

Who starts next to Boyd at defensive tackle, or if UNI opts for more three-man defensive fronts, will be something to watch closely early this season. Opportunity exists, but Farley always preaches the best 11 will see the field.

“We’ll be good with the first unit, but we can’t fall off when we substitute,” Farley said. “We’re going to find out really quick where we’re at.”