What we learned from UNI football's new assistant coaches: Defense

Editor's note: Last in two-part series looking at UNI's football coaching staff and their thoughts on their players. Part I featured the offense.

CEDAR FALLS — Each of Northern Iowa's nine assistant coaches took to the podium at last week's media day to introduce themselves and speak to what they've seen so far from their respective position groups.

Here is a look into the most notable quotes from the four defensive assistants.

Jeremiah Johnson

Defensive coordinator/Safeties coach

'A couple guys that started for us last year, A.J. Allen and Elijah Campbell, have really done well through the first (few) practices. We've got a young man, came from the University of Wisconsin, named Keelon Brookins. He's done a really nice job picking everything up. We're still trying to figure out exactly what he is.'

Before 2016 spring drills, Campbell was at Northern Illinois and Allen was a linebacker. The duo came together shortly thereafter and didn't look back. Campbell landed on the all-MVFC second team and finished second on the team in interceptions. Allen finished third on the team in tackles and played a large role in wins over Iowa State and Missouri State with a fumble recovery and interception in those games, respectively. Year 2 in the secondary should provide even more production. Brookins should have an inside track on special teams, however there's no indication he's ready to challenge for a starting spot.

'We've got a host of young kids. Isaiah Nimmers, Korby Sanders, Tyler Eads, Austin Evans, Zac Kibby,' Johnson said. 'Those guys haven't done a lot in terms of playing on Saturdays, but those guys are locked in. We have two true freshmen in our room. Young man from Bettendorf named Suni Lane and a kid from Western Dubuque named Max Steffen. They're drinking from a fire hose a little bit, but they're both really good athletes, really talented kids. I'm excited to see what they're going to be able to do here as we move through the next phase of fall camp.'

It looks like a crapshoot on the safeties depth chart beyond Campbell and Allen. Sanders and Eads appear to be physically ready to play. Lane received praise from UNI head coach Mark Farley when he was asked who has stood out the most among all the newcomers.

D.J. Vokolek

Linebackers/Associate head coach

'Feel very good about the (linebacker) position, led by Jared Farley. I've seen him on film in games. I'm excited for his senior season. Blake Thomas is another linebacker that has shown some good things so far this fall. I'm excited to see what he can do once we get into game-type situations.'

Farley, son of UNI head coach Mark Farley, can be written into the starting lineup at inside linebacker after his team-high 80 tackles last season. He's the quarterback of a defense that could see its identity change in 2017. After the graduation of Karter Schult there's a chance the Panthers will shift from a 4-3 base to something else, perhaps a 3-4. Waterloo West product Thomas appears to have the edge alongside Farley at inside linebacker, but junior Duncan Ferch had a productive 2016 at the position and continues to be in the mix.

'At the outside linebacker position, Rickey Neal has been one that's stood out to me,' Vokolek said. 'Christian Perez. I can go on down the line. I think we've got some experience there, but we've got some new guys that I'm excited to see what they can do.'

This is where Northern Iowa may be showing its hand on a base defense alignment. Neal began 2016 at linebacker and finished as a productive defensive end opposite Karter Schult. During the spring, Mark Farley mentioned they needed to find out if Neal and Perez are defensive ends or linebackers. So far this fall, Neal and Perez have been referred to exclusively as linebackers.

David Braun

Defensive line coach

'Adam Reth is a special football player. He can play all the way from a nine, all the way down to a zeroed up nose (tackle). You can find ways to create mismatches with him in all sorts of downs and distances. Preston Woods falls into a similar category. He's playing all over the place for us right now. Our room will go as those two go. Bryce Douglas, another senior for us, continues to improve. I was really impressed with Bryce's growth throughout our spring ball period, and (in) fall camp that trend (has) continued.'

If the Panthers use less four-man fronts on defense, Reth, Woods and Douglas is about as good of a trio as anyone in FCS could put together. Woods and Reth offer the versatility Johnson likes to have along the line. Expect Johnson and Braun to move Reth around much like they did with Schult.

'The youth in our room is something I feel very fortunate to be around,' Braun said. 'They're young, they're inexperienced, but, man, they have some older guys in the room to model after, and they are very talented. Seth Thomas, Hezekiah Applegate and Brawntae Wells are guys that come to mind that are really coming up and doing a great job. Marcel Minniefield continues to develop and grow as a pass rusher. Jared Brinkman as a true freshman, he may not be as tall as Adam Reth, but that young man is an explosive individual that understands the physicality that's required of the position.'

Applegate and Thomas were productive in limited snaps last year and figure to be in line for more opportunities. Minniefield and Wells mostly are unknown game day commodities, but there's a reason why Minnifield didn't redshirt and Wells' name keeps coming up. From the look and sound of it, Brinkman could contribute immediately, but the depth at the position could give the staff the luxury of being able to redshirt the Iowa City native.

Jeff Burris

Defensive backs coach 

'We're talented, but it's a day-to-day process. We'll have our growing pains. I'll get a little grayer by the end of the year, I understand that. But the talent we do have — Malcolm Washington, obviously we all know right now — Xavior Williams is going to be special, but it's going to take time. We've got (Nikholi) Jaghai, he's another individual that's going to contribute. We need four guys that can contribute, can help us win, can lead us in the secondary, and we're looking for that.'

Burris may have the toughest of assignments among his peers on the defensive staff. After senior Washington there's no clear cut answers on the defensive backs depth chart. Washington led the team with four interceptions and was named to the all-MVFC second team despite missing the first three games of last season. Jaghai was a solid contributor on special teams, but it remains to be seen how productive he can be on game days as a No. 2 or No. 3 corner. Redshirt freshman Williams has the size at 6-foot-2 the Panthers prefer in their corners and may have the inside track to be opposite Washington come Sept. 2.