Iowa defensive lineman Noah Shannon to return for sixth season

Hawkeyes return another starter on defensive line

Jan. 6, 2023 12:59 pm, Updated: Jan. 6, 2023 1:33 pm

Iowa defensive lineman Noah Shannon (99) celebrates after stopping a run in Iowa’s game against Nebraska on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. (Geoff Stellfox/The Gazette)

IOWA CITY — Iowa defensive lineman Noah Shannon will use his extra COVID-19 year of eligibility to stay for a sixth football season, he announced Friday afternoon on social media.

“I’m excited to get back to work with my teammates,” Shannon said on Twitter. “I can’t wait to swarm Kinnick in front of the best fans in the nation.”

Shannon has started every game of the last two seasons at defensive tackle. He had 8.5 tackles for loss and two sacks in 2022.

He had 34 of what Pro Football Focus defines as a “stop” — a tackle that results in a “failure for the offense” — which led Iowa’s defensive line room in 2022.

Shannon’s return means Iowa will have at least three of four starters on the defensive line returning in 2023. Fellow senior Joe Evans announced earlier this week his plans to return for a sixth season, and Logan Lee will be a senior.