Joe Labas listed as Iowa football’s first-team quarterback for Music City Bowl

IOWA CITY — Iowa football has listed Joe Labas as its first-team quarterback for the Music City Bowl, according to game notes released by Iowa on Tuesday morning.

True freshman Carson May is the second-team quarterback.

Labas, a redshirt freshman, is in line for the start after Spencer Petras needed shoulder surgery and Alex Padilla entered the transfer portal.

Along with the Music City Bowl being Labas’ first career start, it also will be the first time he has taken a snap in a collegiate game.

Sebastian Castro is the first-team starter at strong safety after Kaevon Merriweather’s decision to opt out of the bowl game.

Castro also is the defensive back listed at the Cash position.

Dallas Craddieth is officially the second-team strong safety despite having entered the transfer portal.

Xavier Nwankpa, who officially is the second-team free safety, could be an option at strong safety when Castro is at Cash.

Iowa also made some changes on the offensive line, listing Gennings Dunker as the starting right guard and Nick DeJong as the starting right tackle.

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com