Editor’s note: With the season fast approaching, we want to take some time to familiarize ourselves with each of Indiana’s Big Ten opponents this fall. Over the next couple of weeks, that’s exactly what we’ll do thanks to the insights from our SB Nation partners.)
Up first: Iowa.
Iowa — Jonah Parker (Black Heart Gold Pants)
Key departures
- Daviyon Nixon, DT, All-American cog in the middle of the defense and Euro-step connoisseur
- Jack Hefflin, DT, starter alongside Nixon
- Chauncey Golston, DE, 1st Team All-Big Ten edge rusher and run stopper
- Nick Neimann, LB, 3rd Team All-Big Ten starting LB
- Brandon Smith, WR, starter on the outside and key redzone and possession target
- Ihmir Smith-Marsett, WR, leading receiver and one of the top kick returners in the country over last several seasons
- Alaric Jackson, OT, starting LT and 1st Team All-Big Ten selection
- Cole Banwart, OG, starting LG and 2nd Team All-Big Ten selection
- Coy Cronk, OT, part time starting RT
- Keith Duncan, K, rightful 2019 Groza Award winner and kiss blower extraordinaire
Key Returnees
- Tyler Linderbaum, C, All-American and future Rimington winner
- Tyler Goodson, RB, 1st Team All-Big Ten back that can do a little of everything
- Spencer Petras, QB, 2nd year starter who can’t be worse than he started
- Sam LaPorta, TE, leader in receptions from last year and next NFL TE from Iowa
- Tyrone Tracy, WR, versatile receiver who can play over the middle, over the top or in the run game
- Charlie Jones, WR, ancillary receiver but returning All-Big Ten punt returner
- Tory Taylor, P, 1st Team All-Big Ten punter as a freshman and future Ray Guy Award winner
- Zach VanValkenburg, DE, 2nd Team All-Big Ten defensive end
- The Secondary, all of it, including All-Big Ten safety Jack Koerner and “cash” Dane Belton
- Jack Campbell, LB, emerging star in the middle of the defense
Potentially impactful freshmen and transfers
- Keagan Johnson, WR, leading candidate to take over the role vacated by Ihmir Smith-Marsette
- Mason Richman, OT, converted defensive lineman pushing to start at LT in absence of Alaric Jackson
- Deontae Craig, DE, edge rusher who turned heads in fall camp and is likely to get reps in passing situations
- Xavior Williams, DB, a former All-American at the FCS level, Williams comes from UNI and was expected to start at corner for Matt Hankins - then Hankins opted for an extra year in Iowa City and now Williams is an absurd luxury as the fifth DB on the roster