How will Iowa football replace Tory Taylor and Cooper DeJean?
Let’s talk about punters! 5 good minutes with Iowa’s LeVar Woods
Iowa special teams coordinator LeVar Woods provided updates on spring training on Thursday and talked about Tory Taylor’s NFL potential.
IOWA CITY – To say that the Iowa football team lost two key special teams players during the offseason might be an understatement.
While that’s true, it doesn’t fully describe the duo’s impact. It would be more accurate to say that Iowa saw the departure of two players who are etched into Hawkeyes history.
One was used exclusively on special teams, the other was found all over the field.
Punter Tory Taylor became an Iowa legend, generating remarkable hype for a normally unglamorous position. When the Hawkeyes’ offense faltered, Taylor was a real weapon for the program due to his ability to turn the field over.
One of the most memorable plays of Cooper DeJean’s illustrious Iowa career came on special teams. With the game tied in the fourth quarter against Michigan State in September, DeJean scored a legendary punt return touchdown to give Iowa the lead and eventual victory.
But now both have reached the next level. DeJean was selected in the second round by the Philadelphia Eagles. Taylor was selected in the fourth round by the Chicago Bears.
This means there are major gaps in Iowa that need to be filled.
There’s a valid argument that special teams play is more important to Iowa’s success than some other programs. Because Iowa has been so poor on offense, the margin for error elsewhere is razor thin. That means the defense and special teams have to make up for the lack of production on offense. Perhaps Iowa’s offense can do more this season, though.
With that in mind, let’s take stock of where Iowa’s special teams stand after spring practice, with insight from coordinator LeVar Woods on who could replace the absentees and who could be potentially impactful returners.
In the footsteps of Taylor
The headliner who will handle the punting duties is new freshman Rhys Dakin.
There are similarities between Dakin and Taylor. Both are punters. Both are from Melbourne, Australia. Both will have worn No. 9 in Iowa. Still, it would be unrealistic to expect a seamless transition from Taylor to Dakin.
“I think what we’ve seen so far from him is that he’s a very talented young man, but he’s also young and inexperienced,” Woods said of Dakin in April. “You have to think about the differences: Tory came in at 22, and a lot of us graduated college at 22. He was just starting college. … Rhys is starting college at 19, so some of those immature things are coming out in comparison. But I think Rhys will do it. He’s incredibly talented. He’s got a very bright future.”
Freshman punter Rhys Dakin talks about settling in at Iowa
Freshman punter Rhys Dakin talks about adjusting to Iowa.
Iowa has another more experienced punter on the roster in Ty Nissen. Nissen, a transfer from Iowa Western Community College, is entering his second season in the Hawkeye program.
“I think both Ty Nissen and Rhys Dakin have the skills to make the shots that Tory has made,” Woods said. “The difference is Tory has been doing it a lot longer. He’s a little more skilled, a little more adept at it. But I think it’s all possible. They’re all capable of doing it.”
An important holdover in the special teams unit is kicker Drew Stevens
Stevens has had a puzzling 2023 season.
He made 17 of 22 field goals in his sophomore season, but finished the season having made just one of his final four. That included being benched during Iowa’s game against Nebraska when Marshall Meeder made the game-winning field goal. After that, Stevens did not attempt a field goal or extra point in the final two games of the season, as the Hawkeyes failed to score in either game.
Despite how last season ended, there is reason to believe Stevens could be ready for a strong 2024 season. The leg strength is clearly there, which he showed on his game-winning drive against Northwestern last season. He is also experienced, having attempted 44 field goals in his first two seasons.
“You see it all the time in professional sports, a rookie comes in, shakes up the world and then all of a sudden the sophomore isn’t quite the same or his second season isn’t the same,” Woods said. “I think some of that happened with Drew. But I think you see a more mature version of him, the way he thinks, the way he talks, the way he goes about his business is a lot different than last year.”
Who could return punts and kickoffs?
Some candidates for kickoff returns, as named by Woods: Kaden Wetjen, Kaleb Johnson, Terrell Washington Jr., Kamari Moulton and Zach Lutmer.
Wetjen, who is entering his third season with the program after transferring from Iowa Western Community College, drew some attention this spring for a possible role in new coordinator Tim Lester’s offense. But after leading Iowa in kickoff returns last season, Wetjen could fit in that position again.
The running backs are well represented. Johnson, who had an inconsistent performance as a sophomore, had a 54-yard run on the opening kickoff of the 2023 season. Moulton and Washington Jr. (who also played slot receiver this spring) are two redshirt freshmen who made waves in the offseason.
Lutmer, a redshirt freshman defensive back, is also someone coordinator Phil Parker mentioned by name as a standout defensive player.
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The mix for returning punts is similar. That Woods said Wetjen got the bulk of the punter returner work this spring makes sense considering he stepped in late last season when DeJean was sidelined with an injury. Woods also mentioned Alec Wick, who joined the program as a walk-on wide receiver in 2021, as a candidate for that role.
“It’s an ongoing process,” Woods said of the evaluation process. “We don’t install a scheme in the return game in the spring, but we work on the fundamentals and try to push those forward to get to fall camp.”
Other important jobs
Perhaps one of the most underrated aspects of Taylor’s repertoire was his work as a holder, as he managed to secure a less-than-stellar snap for Meeder, who scored the game-winning goal against Nebraska in 2023.
Snapping and holding are crucial parts of the kicking game, but they don’t always get the credit they deserve. Iowa brings back long snapper Luke Elkin. But with Taylor gone, holding is another role Iowa must fill.
“Ty Nissen has done a really good job,” Woods said. “I’d say he has the upper hand right now. And Rhys has done a good job, too. He’s going to need some reps because he’s never done this in a match before.”
Another somewhat overlooked part of the special teams is the Gunners. Some names Woods mentioned there: John Nestor, TJ Hall, Deshaun Lee, Deavin Hilson, Koen Entringer, Jarriett Buie, Lutmer and Washington Jr.
Nestor and Entringer showed their potential on special teams last season, especially with an incredible chase by Entringer in the Big Ten Championship.
DeJean, who played as a gunner at Iowa, echoed some of Woods’ comments when speaking to the Register this summer.
“There’s a lot of young players that are really starting to step up and work their way up the ranks,” DeJean said. “Obviously, I saw a little bit of Koen Entringer last year on special teams, what he can do, how he plays. Deshaun Lee, obviously John Nestor, TJ Hall, those guys. I think they’re really going to help this football team this fall. Whether it’s on special teams again or on defense.”
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