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Young Iowa defensive linemen are eager to make a difference
TL;DR
The Iowa football team is seeking to develop a new group of defensive linemen after losing key players. Young talents like Kenneth Merrieweather and Luke Gaffney express confidence in their ability to lead and foster team camaraderie.
The current Iowa football team is looking for a new core of defensive linemen to emerge. The trio of Ethan Hurkett, Max Llewellyn, and Aaron Graves combined for 19.5 sacks a year ago, but none of them are back in the black and gold.
The Hawkeyes have some young defensive line talent, but the focus is turning that potential into results.
“It does feel a little different having to step up and take that leader role, but honestly I feel that I’m ready for it because the guys that left last year set a standard for me, and they filled me with the right information so that I can feel it to the younger guys,” said Kenneth Merrieweather, an Iowa junior defensive lineman. “So it’s been a good process and I’m proud to be a leader of my room now.”
“Every single person that has came in so far, like, I could not speak more highly of then each and every single one of them. They came in, everybody is a close-knit group this year, and I can speak very confidently about that. We all get along, we all have a blast out there. I mean we are making fun of each other, but at the same time we are picking each other up, and we are having a great time,” said Luke Gaffney, an Iowa senior defensive lineman. “All of them are working hard coming from different colleges, different hometowns and stuff like that. So it’s always awesome to see, like, this room year in and year out come out and be as close-knit as we are. It’s always awesome to show up everyday and do what you do with your buds.”
“Defensive line is just being able to, like, just being able to be good at everything, and so having one move people are going to figure it out and stuff,” said Iose Epenesa, an Iowa redshirt freshman defensive lineman. “So having a lot just helps. I would just say (that we are) hungry. We have a bunch of guys who transferred in, bunch of young guys coming up. So I think everybody is just trying to compete with each other.”
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Q&A
Who are the key young defensive linemen for Iowa football this season?
The key young defensive linemen for Iowa football include Kenneth Merrieweather and Luke Gaffney, who are stepping up to lead the team.
What was the sack total for Iowa's defensive linemen last year?
Last year, Iowa's defensive linemen combined for a total of 19.5 sacks.
How are the new Iowa defensive linemen building team chemistry?
The new Iowa defensive linemen are building team chemistry by forming a close-knit group, working hard together, and supporting each other both on and off the field.
