(KIWA Staff Photo)
Iowa City, Iowa (RI) — Summer workouts continue for the Iowa football team as a new look defense gets ready for the upcoming season.
Only three starters return on defense. Junior defensive tackle Bryce Hawthorne is the most experienced member of a defensive line that was hit hard by graduation. The former transfer from South Dakota State played in all 13 games last season and recorded 15 tackles.
Hawthorne says summer is a crucial time to get ready for a new season.
Junior receiver and Rock Rapids native Reece Vander Zee says summer is an important time for team building.
Vander Zee says it is also an important time for individual improvement as well.
Senior corner Deshaun Lee is one of a few returning starters on defense and will be called upon to be more of a leader.
Lee says summer is an important time to build team chemistry.
Redshirt sophomore Cam Buffington is part of a linebacker unit that lost several standouts over the last two years.
Buffington is one of several new faces who will be counted on to step up.
There will also be several new starters on an offensive line that has had five players taken in the NFL Draft the last two years. Junior Trevor Lauck is entering his second season as the starter at left tackle.
Lauck says several of the new starters have extensive experience the past few seasons.
The Hawkeyes open the season at home on September fifth against Northern Illinois.
