Amani Hooker very well might have changed Iowa’s philosophy at defense forever with his play last year.
If that sounds familiar, it is because I plagiarized Jordan Hansen’s opening from last week’s linebacker preview as the reduction in linebackers in Iowa’s base defense means an increase in the defensive backfield. It was more or less spurred by a play I feel disinclined to embed (but willing to link) and while the change to a 4-2-5 will allow Iowa to counteract the modern offense, it does have a downside, especially in a division where fullbacks and/or a second tight end are not extinct.