Hawkeyes look to fill starting linebacker position

Editor’s note: Sixth in a 9-part series looking at the Iowa football team ahead of the season opener on Aug. 30.

IOWA CITY — Karson Sharar has sat in line for a chance at starting at linebacker since he arrived in Iowa City. So did Jaden Harrell.

They just had to wait in that line for a long time.

Iowa football has consistently held a top-notch linebacker as a starter every season. Last time, it was Jay Higgins. Before that, Jack Campbell.

The Hawkeyes lost a lot of their defensive prowess this offseason. Higgins is playing NFL preseason football with the Baltimore Ravens, Nick Jackson is doing the same with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Hawkeyes lost Kyler Fisher, too.

That’s 241 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, five interceptions and 13 pass breakups between just that trio from last year.

The gaping hole has left head coach Kirk Ferentz and defensive coordinator Phil Parker with the challenge of deciding which Hawkeye receives a new starting role.

“Anxious to see how it plays out,” Ferentz said. “That’s probably one of the biggest positions of intrigue, if you will.”

Good thing the duo has done this before. Many times now, too.

“It’s kind of interesting, we lost 60 percent of our production,” Parker said during Kids Day. “It’s really a good battle for us. We’re pleased with what we have so far. I’m really happy with the way everybody has been working.”

Parker has been sorting through his options since the 2024 chapter closed. He’s had all of spring ball, summer workouts and the majority of fall training camp to find out who can step in.

He’s had his eye on Sharar, Harrell and Jaxon Rexroth that entire time.

“I think Harrell is doing a good job, Sharar is doing a really good job and Rexroth is doing a good job,” Parker said. “There’s some guys behind them, I think (Jayden) Montgomery is doing a good job, some younger guys coming up like (Cam) Buffington and (Preston) Ries who’ve done a good job.”

Harrell and Sharar were the two starting linebackers during the Kids Day open scrimmage. They’ve been learning Parker’s scheme for years now, so adjusting to different coverages is likely note an issue. It’s about getting the reps under their belt and, more importantly, their confidence.

They’ve played in nearly 40 games combined, mostly on special teams. Though Sharar and Harrell have dealt with injuries, the two have finally emerged to the front of the linebackers development line.

  Buy Photo

Sharar said he’s seen his confidence grow exponentially. He didn’t think he was good enough — despite what Ferentz, Parker and anyone else may have told him. There were times he stepped on the football field with doubt.

So he put his head down and focused on what he does believe in: showing up everyday.

“Just watching more tape, practicing, working on my technique every day, day in and day out,” Sharar said. “So really it’s just with more reps and repetition and experience, I say that side got me a little more comfortable.”

Now, Parker believes Sharar is playing some of his best football heading into his senior season.

“They believed in me,” Sharar said. “I had to have that same belief in myself.”

Comments: madison.hricik@thegazette.com