Defense: Talent surplus gives Hawkeyes options
Iowa City, Ia. — Micah Hyde didn’t have to reach too far for role models as he adjusted to playing safety for Iowa this spring.
Brett Greenwood and Tyler Sash, who were the last line of defense for the Hawkeyes the past three seasons, have been reaching out to him.
“I told them it’s going good. I’m trying to be just like them,” said Hyde, a junior who was shifted from cornerback during the spring practice season that wrapped up Saturday with a controlled scrimmage.
Micah Hyde (18) has moved from cornerback to safety this spring. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images file photo)
“They just said, ‘Keep making plays. Do what you’ve been doing since you’ve been here.’ ”
The defensive backfield was a bit of a chemistry experiment, coach Kirk Ferentz said, with his staff testing different combinations. Ferentz said a final determination won’t come until August — if then.
“We’ve had some good competition at corner, which allowed us to do it, and it kind of breeded more competition at corner,” he said.
“There are going to be a lot of moving parts in August, and probably September too. You look at ’08, we started that season with (Pat) Angerer and (Ricky) Stanzi on the bench and they both emerged as good players. And I can see something like that happening with this group.”
Shaun Prater took a pass at the NFL draft to return for his senior season, and seems entrenched at left corner. But even he dreams about the possibilities of moving farther from the line of scrimmage and being able to roam the entire field.
“I wish I could (switch positions). I love safety,” he said, conceding that defensive coordinator Norm Parker probably wouldn’t allow that. “I can see the whole field from that position. Playing corner, I can only see the left. But, hopefully we can talk about that.
“(Hyde) is a talented guy, great ball skills. We can just put anyone in and they can get the job done. … I’m proud that I came back, and I think this was the best choice that I made.”
Collin Sleeper played alongside Hyde at safety this spring, with Tom Donatell and Jack Swanson in reserve. Meanwhile, Greg Castillo started at right corner, backed up by B.J. Lowery. Hard-hitting senior Jordan Bernstine was second to Prater on the depth chart, but has shown he can play anywhere he’s needed.
It gives Iowa plenty of options to weigh.
Speaking of weight, Hyde said he’s hoping to add 7 or 8 pounds to his 187-pound frame for the fall. The extra muscle would come in handy if he’s asked to make more open-field tackles as a free safety.
“I’ve got to make plays. They put me there for a reason,” he said.
Iowa has plenty of depth on the defensive front as well, although it’s not nearly as experienced.
Ferentz envisioned a committee approach, with six to eight players seeing playing time on the line.
Senior Broderick Binns, at left end, is the lone returning starter, although right tackle Mike Daniels saw extended playing time last season. They were joined on the starting unit this spring by redshirt freshman Carl Davis at left tackle and senior Lebron Daniel, somewhat undersized at 250 pounds, at right end.
The reserves are senior Joe Forgy, sophomore Dominic Alvis, and redshirt freshmen Cole Heissel and Mike Hardy.
Category: Iowa Hawkeyes Football
