Iowa Defensive Depth Chart 2026

[85Bears]

Let’s see it

 

[Passing Is For COMMIES]

LE - Merriweather
DTs - Hawthorne, Will Hubert
RE - Epenesa
MLB - Montgomery
Leo - Buffington
WLB - Van Kekerix
Cash - Lutmer
CBs - Lee, Godfrey
SS - Xavier Styles
FS - Tyler Brown

 

[Bearhawk0530]

DE-Merriweather
DT-Hawthorne
DT-Hubert
DE-Epenesa
MLB-Montgomery
OLB-Buffington
Cash-Godfrey
SS-Lutmer
FS-Hawkins
CB-Lee
CB-Watson

 

[85Bears]

Is Hubert ready ? What about Haddad ?

 

[Passing Is For COMMIES]

Is Hubert ready ? What about Haddad ?

Hubert will be a RS SR, so its now or never. I'm sure S will be an open competition, but I don't see Haddad with 0 playing experience beating out Styles, Brown, or even Hawkins this year. I actually think he will be the returner.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

LE - Merriweather
DTs - Hawthorne, Will Hubert
RE - Epenesa
MLB - Montgomery
Leo - Buffington
WLB - Van Kekerix
Cash - Lutmer
CBs - Lee, Godfrey
SS - Xavier Styles
FS - Tyler Brown

DE-Merriweather
DT-Hawthorne
DT-Hubert
DE-Epenesa
MLB-Montgomery
OLB-Buffington
Cash-Godfrey
SS-Lutmer
FS-Hawkins
CB-Lee
CB-Watson

I have no idea. But whatever it is, won't it be the least experienced defense the Hawks have had for a very long time?

But, PP will have them ready.

 

[squeezebox_1]

I think Condon will release his today, of course we don't know anything about the transfers until spring. Usually the secondary is semi-interchanable according to previous depth charts

1st
LE - Merriweather
DT - Hawthorne
DT- Will Hubert
RE - Epenesa
MLB - Buffington
Leo - Weiskopff
WLB - Reis
Cash - Lutmer
CBs - Lee, Godfrey
SS - Hawkins
FS - Tyler Brown


2nd
Le: Anders
DT: Emmanuel Olagbaju
DT: Borcherding-Johnson
RE: Chineke
MLB: Montgomery
Leo: Van Kekerix
WLB: Delong
Cash: Haddad
CBs: Wallace/Watson
SS: Styles
FS: Mota

 

[r_desihawk]

The DL looks vulnerable...but it did coming into 2025 as well

 

[DuddyB]

The DL looks vulnerable...but it did coming into 2025 as well

I thought the D line would be much better than it was in 25. If Hubert is our starting DT we’re in trouble. Hoping it’s Olagbaju or Stevenson.

 

[squeezebox_1]

Condon dropped his predictions, listed below.



DE: Eppy (Brown backup)
DE: Merriweather (Campbell, Anderson mentioned)
DT: Hawthorne
DT: Stevenson (Kennedy backup)
MLB: Montgomery (Buffington backup)
OLB: Not definitive, Van Kekerix
CB: Lee
CB: Watson (Godfrey backup)
Cash: Luther (Godfrey backup)
FS: Hawkins
SS: Brown (Haddad, backup)

 

[ChiefRhoads]

I am hoping it is not Montgomery at MLB. Not bad, but not elite and I am hoping one of the younger guys will be.

 

[DuddyB]

I am hoping it is not Montgomery at MLB. Not bad, but not elite and I am hoping one of the younger guys will be.

That’s my feeling too. He’s great as the depth piece but just don’t see him as a all big 10 caliber type of player.

 

[FanInBlack]

Preston Reis will play somewhere. He is the next star at LB.

 

[HawksRule73]

DEs - Iose & Merriweather
DTs - Hawthorne & Stevensen
LBs - Buffington & Ries
CBs - Lee & Watson
Cash - Godfrey
Safeties - Lutmer & Brown

 

[eyesofhawk]

I am hoping it is not Montgomery at MLB. Not bad, but not elite and I am hoping one of the younger guys will be.

That’s my feeling too. He’s great as the depth piece but just don’t see him as a all big 10 caliber type of player.

Good problem to have.

The best man will win the job.

More athleticism in the underclassmen (likely Cam).

Great instincts with Montgomery

 

[eyesofhawk]

Brown could go down one of the Hawkeyes' all-time winners

 

[WeBeHerkin]

Condon dropped his predictions, listed below.



DE: Eppy (Brown backup)
DE: Merriweather (Campbell, Anderson mentioned)
DT: Hawthorne
DT: Stevenson (Kennedy backup)
MLB: Montgomery (Buffington backup)
OLB: Not definitive, Van Kekerix
CB: Lee
CB: Watson (Godfrey backup)
Cash: Luther (Godfrey backup)
FS: Hawkins
SS: Brown (Haddad, backup)

Buffington will be on the field as a starter