Iowa Post-Spring Position Analysis: DL

Hawkeye Defense Expected to Be Deep in Trenches

Iowa's Noah Shannon (99) awaits the snap during a game against South Dakota State on Sept. 3, 2022 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Rob Howe/HawkeyeNation.com)

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IOWA CITY, Iowa - Iowa's defense could be replacing three starting linemen in 2023. Instead, three starters are back. 

Seniors Noah Shannon and Joe Evans announced shortly after December's Music City Bowl that they would be returning. They had an extra year of eligibility granted from the pandemic, but both guys considered taking a shot at the NFL. 

They'll join Logan Lee as returning starters. Lee and Shannon line up inside with Evans at end. All three guys were slowed or out with injury this Spring, allowing a deep, talented group behind them to get more practice reps. 

The Hawkeyes must absorb the loss of Lukas Van Ness, who played the most among D-Linemen last season despite not starting a game. He's with the Green Bay after the Packers picked him with the No. 13 overall selection in Thursday's NFL Draft. 

Evans (6-2, 246) has shared the team lead in sacks with Van Ness in each of the last two seasons, totaling 13.5. He started all 13 games a year ago, playing in 42 contests during his Hawkeye career with 21.5 tackles for loss. 

That's not bad for a former walk-on linebacker who played quarterback at Ames (IA) High. 

Shannon (6-0, 289) has started in all 27 games Iowa played during the last two campaigns. He's been a steadily improving force absorbing blocks and moving people. He racked up 8.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks in '22, and is very capable of even more this Fall. 

Lee (6-5, 275) was considered a top-flight tight end prospect coming out of high school, which speaks to his athleticism at D-Tackle. He has started every game alongside Shannon during the last two seasons with 13.0 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks in that time. Lee and Shannon have said they want to bring more quarterback pressure from the inside in '23. 

Barring an injury, the starting end spot opposite Evans belongs to junior Deontae Craig (6-3, 266), who could be in for a big season. The Indiana product moves into a larger role after tying for the team lead with 6.5 sacks and ranking second to Van Ness in tackles for loss (10.0) during '22.

Defensive tackle might be the deepest position on this Iowa team. Junior Yahya Black (6-5, 306) and second-year sophomore Aaron Graves (6-4, 271) return after backing up Shannon and Lee last season. They're joined by Iowa Western transfer Anterio Thompson (6-3, 290) and ascending sophomore Jeremiah Pittman (6-3, 297), giving the Hawkeyes six guys capable of starting at the spot. 

They also boast excellent potential at end. Junior Ethan Hurkett (6-3, 252) might be poised for a breakout season after being slowed by injury, off and on, in college. Iowa could use a super senior season from Chris Reames (6-7, 274).

Sophomore Max Llewellyn (6-5, 243) appears to be climbing the depth chart and is looking to contribute. Fellow sophomore Jeff Bowie (6-5, 270) along with  redshirt freshmen Brian Allen (6-4, 263) and Caden Crawford (6-4, 253) are scholarship players pushing for playing time. 

An interesting walk-on from Iowa Western is Jackson Filer (6-3, 230), who turned down Division I offers from Hawaii, Coastal Carolina and several MAC schools. The West Des Moines (IA) Dowling Catholic graduate is the son of former Hawkeye, Rodney Filer. 

In addition to Filer, junior Anu Dokun (6-3, 230) as well as redshirt freshmen Luke Gaffney (6-2, 247), Will Hubert (6-3, 247) and Andrew Kraus (6-4, 227) will be looking to make a move during August camp.