Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/118626
OFFENSIVE LINE Seven lettermen return, and all seven have at least one game of starting experience. Brett Van Sloten (6-7, 300) returns for his final season after starting all 12 games at right tackle a year ago. Junior Brandon Scherff (6-5, 315) started the first seven games at left tackle last season. He was injured in the seventh game of the year and missed the remainder of the season. Sophomore Austin Blythe (6-3, 300) earned freshman All-America honors while starting nine games at right guard in 2012. Blythe will make the move to center. Others who have started at least one game include seniors Nolan MacMillan (6-6, 294) and Conor Boffeli (6-5, 295), junior Andrew Donnal (6-7, 305) and sophomore Jordan Walsh (6-4, 290). MacMillan will miss spring practice because of injury. Players who will battle for spots on the depth chart include Eric Simmons (6-2, 295), Cole Croston (6-5, 250), Mitch Keppy (6-5, 295), Reid Sealby (6-4, 275), Ryan Ward (6-5, 290), Drew Clark (6-4, 288) and Tommy Gaul (6-3, 277). DEFENSIVE LINE LINEBACKERS The Hawkeyes return their top three tacklers from last season in a trio of senior linebackers. Anthony Hitchens (6-1, 233) led the team with 124 tackles in 11 games. That figure led the Big Ten and ranked sixth nationally. James Morris has started 29 games in his career, including all 11 in which he played last season. He collected 113 tackles and shared the team lead with nine tackles for loss. Morris ranked third in the Big Ten and 29th in the nation in tackles. Morris and Hitchens each earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors. Christian Kirksey has started 25 straight games over the past two seasons. He had 95 tackles a year ago while leading the Big Ten and ranking second in the nation with four fumble recoveries. Kirksey shared the team lead with two interceptions and returned both for touchdowns. Three additional lettermen include juniors Quinton Alston (6-1, 224) and Marcus Collins (6-0, 222) and sophomore Travis Perry (6-3, 232). Cole Fisher (62, 228) is an additional young player who could use spring drills as an opportunity to earn additional playing time. Iowa returns five lettermen in the defensive line, including two players who started all 12 games in senior Dominic Alvis (6-4, 265) and junior Louis Trinca-Pasat DEFENSIVE BACKS (6-3, 290). The Iowa secondary returns three starters, but this is a position where a number of younger players will battle Trinca-Pasat will miss spring practice because of offseason surgery. He recorded 40 tackles last season, in- for playing time. cluding four tackles for loss. Alvis recorded five tackles The returning starters include cornerback B.J. Lowery for loss and three sacks among his 31 tackles. Additional lettermen include sophomore Darian Coo- (5-11, 193) and free safety Tanner Miller (6-2, 207) and strong safety Nico Law (6-1, 200). Lowery and Miller per (6-2, 280) and juniors Carl Davis (6-5, 315) and Mike Hardy (6-5, 275). Cooper started two games and are seniors and Law is a junior. Miller was fifth on the team with 69 tackles last season while starting all 12 totaled 34 tackles while playing in all 12 games. games. Miller has 23 career starts and 152 career tackOthers who saw action last season include sophomores les. Lowery had nine starts and collected 50 tackles last Riley McMinn (6-7, 260), Drew Ott (6-4, 265) and Mel- season. Law moved into the starting line-up for the last vin Spears (6-2, 265). McMinn and Spears redshirted in four games and had 28 stops. 2011, while Ott played last season as a true freshman. Additional lettermen in the secondary include junior John Lowdermilk (6-2, 207) and sophomores Sean Young players who have a chance to earn spots on the Draper (6-0, 180) and Jordan Lomax (5-10, 195). Kevin depth chart include redshirt freshmen Jaleel JohnBuford (5-10, 180) also saw action a year ago as a true son (6-4, 310), Faith Ekakitie (6-3, 287), Daumantas freshman. Venckus-Cucchiara (6-5, 235) and sophomores Dean Tsopanides (6-2, 265) and Nate Meier (6-2, 235). 42