Four downs with the defensive backs

QUICK LOOK BACK: Three of four starters return from a group that helped tie a school record with 23 interceptions. Twelve of those interceptions came from defensive backs who'll return next

 season -- cornerback Amari Spievey, free safety Brett Greenwood and strong safety Tyler Sash. Spievey was the surprise of the season on the defensive side of the ball. The junior was a second-team all-Big Ten pick by league coaches. He had four interceptions and tied with Greenwood for third on the team with 68 tackles.  Sash saved his best for last with two picks in Iowa's Outback Bowl victory over South Carolina. His two interceptions tied the bowl record and he set Outback records for longest return (48) and return yards (74). His 147 yards on five interception returns this season ranks second in Iowa history behind Mike Stoops, who had 154 yards on six interceptions in 1983. He was Big Ten player of the week after Penn State. Four of his tied-for-team-high five interceptions came in Iowa's final four games. Greenwood was honorable mention all-Big Ten by league media. Here's an award he received that's intriguing, Win During the Week Award. That doesn't come with any definition, but it's likely an award based on effort and attention to detail during practice, something that carries a lot of weight with coaches.

The cornerback spot that Bradley Fletcher (a very good football player, a likely NFL draft pick) leaves open will likely be filled by junior Jordan Bernstine or sophomores Shaun Prater and William Lowe. Bernstine and Prater haven't been starters but they've seen the field in nickel and dime packages many times last season. Lowe also saw some limited action as a true freshman.

FOURTH DOWN -- CONCERNS: With healthy competition for the left corner, finding a No. 3 and 4 shouldn't be a problem. Depth at safety might be a concern.

Diauntae Morrow announced his transfer in February. He would've been a junior and might've pushed for some serious playing time, especially with Sash and Greenwood sitting out spring practice with shoulder injuries. Watch the Illinois game. At some point in the second half, Morrow was in for Sash on a few obvious passing downs in the second half. But Sash didn't fritter his opportunity and became the defense's most improved player. So, Morrow is out. As for Lance Tillison, I counted him as a linebacker.

This pushes sophomore David Cato and redshirt freshman Jack Swanson up the depth chart. Cato had 13 tackles mostly on special teams last year. Swanson, out of Naples (Fla.) High School, came to Iowa in the 175-180 range and is now up to 195.

The other corner also needs mention here. Bernstine has earned first look. Prater, who was charged with drunken driving Feb. 28, faces a two-game suspension (Iowa's first two games are Northern Iowa and Iowa State), coach Kirk Ferentz said. Prater has pleaded not guilty to the charge and demanded a speedy trial, which is to take place May 18.

THIRD DOWN -- ADDITIONS/SUBTRACTIONS: Fletcher got one year as the full-on starter and made the most of it. He had 60 tackles, a half sack, three interceptions, a team-high 10 pass breakups and a forced fumble. He was a complete football player. Opposing QBs didn't know which side of the field to pick on between Fletcher and Spievey. Fletcher is a possible draft pick in about three weeks.

Morrow left with promise. His departure got Iowa fans' attention. He was the only backup safety with real experience. This leaves a hole in the depth chart until Cato/Swanson show they're ready.

Cornerback Greg Castillo joins Swanson in the redshirt class this season. Castillo's dad, Juan, is the longtime O-line coach for the Philadelphia Eagles. Greg, who had nine picks as a prep at St. Joseph's Prep in Pa., is listed at No. 3 left corner right now behind Bernstine and Prater. Swanson was a first-team all-stater at Naples.

The only listed incoming freshman in the secondary is Micah Hyde (6-1, 170) from Fostoria, Ohio. Iowa coaches, particularly secondary coach Phil Parker, love Hyde and played a little recruiting poker with his offer, trying to keep the copycats at bay.

Ferentz said incoming freshman Josh Brown could contribute on defense, but, for now, is ticketed for wide receiver.

Cornerback Chris Rowell is the lone senior in the secondary. He was a fixture on special teams last season and should contribute there this year.

The list of walk-ons is long in the secondary. It includes Joe Conklin, Justin Greiner, Taylor Herbst, Nick Nielsen and probably a few more names that'll come out in the fall.

SECOND DOWN -- STRENGTHS: Greenwood, Sash and Speivey are strengths.

Here's defensive coordinator Norm Parker on the three late last season:

On Speivey: "Spievey was a pleasant surprise. We talked about Spievey, but we didn't know that he would have that kind of year. He's been a real pleasant surprise.”

On Greenwood: "Greenwood has really come along. As you know, he was a walk-on. We always compared him when he was young, you know, he's a young (Sean) Considine or a young (Derek) Pagel. He sort of came the same way. He's become more assertive out there. The free safety has to be the quarterback out there a little bit. Here was a freshman that just got off a yellow school bus and he's supposed to tell these other guys what to do. That's not that easy. The more he's learned it, the better he's gotten at being assertive out there.”

On Sash: “My impression of Sash is I think he's a darn good athlete. He's like a lot of young guys. He really didn't know if he was as good as the other guys. All of a sudden he's found out practicing to say, 'Hey, I'm as good as those guys.' Since then, he's sort of taken off. He's got a little swagger to him."

Some internetters don't buy in when Norm brings the praise. I do. The guy eats more football for breakfast than I'll ever taste.

And we might as well beckon on the Greenwood haters while we're at it. I don't agree with this sentiment. I think the junior has grown leaps and bounds from his first appearance, a tough go at Penn State in 2007. I'm not saying you can't voice your opinions, but I ask that you back it up with a play or an instance that sticks out in your mind. In my mind, he doesn't deliver the knockout punch that, say, a Bob Sanders did, but who does? So, feel free to state your case.

FIRST DOWN -- THE PLAY: Potentially, Iowa will have three juniors and a sophomore in the secondary next season. So, 2009 and '10 are -- barring injury, of course -- nailed down. And with Prater, Lowe, Cato and Swanson, the 2011 group could, potentially, be booked. No, it probably won't be that cut and dry, but you do have to like the talent and experience the Hawkeyes will have next season in the backfield.

Spievey is a returning second-team all-Big Ten pick. Sash and Greenwood already have 31 starts between them. Bernstine and Prater saw a lot of time in nickel and dime last season. Coaches thought enough of Lowe to burn his redshirt last season.

The experience factor gets stretched in the top eight, but I don't see any gaping holes.

Starters -- Speivey, Bernstine, Sash, Greenwood

Next -- Prater, Lowe, Cato, Swanson

Incoming -- Castillo, Swanson, Hyde

Surprise -- Micah Hyde takes the redshirt off. PLUS, watch the race at left corner. Between Bernstine and Prater, Iowa should come up with a solid option.