Iowa football way-too-early 2025 depth chart projections: Defense, special teams

IOWA CITY — With only four of last year’s Week 1 starters returning, Iowa’s defense will certainly look different in 2025.

How exactly the defense will look could still fluctuate as the Hawkeyes go through spring practices, the spring transfer portal window, summer workouts and (of course) fall camp.

But based on where the roster stands right now, here are The Gazette’s way-too-early projections for Iowa’s 2025 depth chart on defense and special teams.

(See The Gazette’s way-too-early offensive depth chart projections here.)

Defensive line

Iowa’s defensive line has picked up a couple offseason wins from a roster management standpoint. Ethan Hurkett chose to stay for his sixth season, and potential NFL prospect Aaron Graves is staying for his senior season.

The Hawkeyes then filled a few more voids via the transfer portal with Jonah Pace (from Central Michigan) and Bryce Hawthorne (from South Dakota State).

Defensive end — projected depth chart:

Defensive tackle — projected depth chart:

Defensive tackle — projected depth chart:

Defensive end — projected depth chart:

Other projected reserves: Maddux Borcherding-Johnson, Devan Kennedy, Chima Chineke, Drew Campbell, Joseph Anderson, Iose Epenesa, Brad Fitzgibbon

Linebackers

All three of Iowa’s first-team linebackers — Jay Higgins, Nick Jackson and Kyler Fisher — exhausted their eligibility in 2024. How players like Jaden Harrell and Karson Sharar acclimate to larger roles could be the biggest key for the Iowa defense in 2025.

Middle linebacker — projected depth chart:

Weakside linebacker — projected depth chart:

Leo linebacker — projected depth chart:

Other projected reserves: Derek Weisskopf, Cam Buffington, Preston Ries, Carson Cooney, Burke Gautcher, Kelby Telander, Nolan DeLong, Jack Laughlin, Devan Van Ness

Defensive backs

Iowa’s last three games of the 2024 season — the three games without Jermari Harris — perhaps provided a sneak preview of what to expect at cornerback in 2025. Xavier Nwankpa highlights the Hawkeyes’ options at safety as the former five-star recruit approaches his fourth season at Iowa and his third season as a starter.

Cornerback — projected depth chart:

Cornerback — projected depth chart:

Strong safety — projected depth chart:

Free safety — projected depth chart:

Cash safety — projected depth chart:

Other projected reserves: Kahlil Tate, Teegan Davis, Rashad Godfrey, C.J. Bell, Alex Mota, Drew MacPherson, O’Lontae Dean, Jacob Wallace, Kyler Gerardy, Watts McBride, Rayce Heitman

Kicker

Drew Stevens will be in his final year of eligibility in 2025 after a much-improved 2024 season. Stevens was 20-of-23 on field goals, including a perfect 16-of-16 on attempts from inside 50 yards.

Projected depth chart:

Punter

Rhys Dakin’s freshman season, while not perfect, was impressive. He averaged 44.1 yards per punt, and his 29 punts inside the 20-yard line vastly outnumbered his five touchbacks. He was an FWAA freshman All-American and a second-team all-Big Ten honoree.

Projected depth chart:

Long snapper

Ike Speltz is the only longsnapper on the Hawkeyes’ roster at this point in the offseason. He will need to fill the void left by Luke Elkin — a four-year starter and a 2024 AFCA All-American.

Projected depth chart:

Punt/kick returner

Kaden Wetjen had an illustrious 2024 season, ending with Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year honors and FWAA first-team All-America recognition.

Projected depth chart:

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com

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