5 predictions for the 2022 Iowa Hawkeyes football season

With the 2022 faculty soccer season slightly below three weeks away and groups within the thick of coaching camp, soccer season is formally upon us. Everyone seems to be undefeated and everyone seems to be juiced up with expectations for the season.

With the Iowa Hawkeyes coming off of their annual Youngsters’ Day, there isn’t a higher time than now to debate some predictions for his or her 2022 season. I’ve 5 predictions for what this upcoming season will maintain and clarify a bit relating to why.

Williams duo combines for 1,500-plus speeding yards

Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK

Gavin Williams and Leshon Williams will mix to hurry for over 1,500 yards in the course of the 2022 season for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

The offensive line has expertise returning, every of the Williams present a downhill operating type that’s not afraid of contact and ending runs, and there can be an emphasis to ascertain a constant floor sport after a step backwards in 2021. The Hawkeyes will rotate these two based mostly on contemporary legs and the new hand giving these two each alternative to surpass 1,500 mixed speeding yards.

Iowa protection eclipses 20 interceptions once more

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They did it final yr and they’re going to do it once more in 2022. The Iowa Hawkeyes will as soon as once more surpass 20 interceptions by the protection.

Final yr the Hawkeyes had 25 interceptions and I’m going in opposition to the entire knowledge and former historical past right here to foretell that Iowa received’t see a regression. Riley Moss is a preseason All-American and was named to the Bednarik Award watch checklist. He can be accompanied by Kaevon Merriweather and Jermari Harris within the secondary, all who’ve expertise selecting off opponents.

Add in just a few interceptions from a supremely proficient linebacking corps and an uptick in quarterback stress that I focus on in a while, and it’s straightforward to see why the Hawkeyes will proceed to be ballhawks.

Sam LaPorta units profession excessive in receiving yards

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Sam LaPorta is the following Iowa tight finish in line to make the bounce to the NFL like George Kittle, Noah Fant, and T.J. Hockenson. Returning for his senior yr is his time to shine and why he units a profession document in receiving yards.

LaPorta’s present season excessive is 670 receiving yards, which got here in 2021. I received’t simply predict he surpasses that quantity, however LaPorta will clear 750 yards on his strategy to the 2023 NFL draft. He’s the No. 1 goal this yr and the ball will discover him in key conditions when a primary down is required or a giant play is schemed up.

Spencer Petras throws for 15+ touchdowns and fewer than 10 interceptions

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All of the noise is round how Spencer Petras can carry out and if he can take the Iowa Hawkeyes’ offense to the following stage. He improves. He throws for greater than 15 touchdowns, whereas throwing lower than 10 interceptions.

I’ve mentioned why this offense can arrange finest for him and I feel we see faster choices leading to completions to the playmakers quicker and an general enchancment in play. Spencer Petras doesn’t need to win video games on his personal, however I predict we see him discover the top zone extra and handle turnovers higher.

Iowa protection totals 40-plus sacks

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The Iowa Hawkeyes protection had 32 sacks final season. They surpass 40 whole sacks in 2022. John Waggoner and Lukas Van Ness, a projected prime 50 breakout participant in 2022, anchor a defensive position that would show to be a game-changing pressure for the Hawkeyes.

Jack Campbell will get a pair on blitzes along with his instincts and there’s something telling me that we see Jestin Jacobs’ athleticism used equally to the dominant manner that Micah Parsons is utilized by the Dallas Cowboys to pitch in a handful.

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Story initially appeared on Hawkeyes Wire