With Big Ten Media Days wrapped up, all attention turns to Fall camp. Iowa football begins Fall camp this week and there are several storylines surrounding this team. Whether it be the transfer players, who will step in next on defense, or how this team will improve offensively, there is a lot of anticipation for this season in Iowa City. As the season approaches, these are three players to watch throughout fall camp. These are guys who can step into the lights and have a big impact on this team, and it all starts this week.
Kaleb Brown – Wide Receiver
One of the biggest names of the off-season was the Ohio State transfer wide receiver, Kaleb Brown. Of course, everyone is excited to see him operate within this offense. But the reason he really stands out as a player to watch at camp is because he joined the team this summer – after Spring practice. The coaching staff has not had the opportunity to see him perform with the team as of yet, and camp will be his first time suiting up for the Hawkeyes.
The expectations are mighty for Brown, and rightfully so. He was a Top-100 recruit heading into Columbus, and he’s now Iowa’s highest-rated wide receiver recruit ever. However, the Chicago native is entering just his true sophomore year of college football, without any meaningful snaps when he was with the Buckeyes. Brown’s one catch in 2022 was for five yards and came in garbage time against this Iowa team. Brown was not listed on the newly-released preseason depth chart prior to Iowa’s fall camp. There’s no doubt that the talent is there with the 5’-11” wide receiver. His athletic ability gives him the option to line up in the slot or on the outside and to be productive in both areas. Brown will have a lot to prove in these final four weeks of prep. Following him through fall camp will give great insight to his role on the team this fall.
TJ Hall – Cornerback
The starting cornerbacks on this team are among the best players on Iowa’s defense in Cooper DeJean and Jermari Harris. However, it’s TJ Hall who has the opportunity to take big strides at Fall camp. Last year as a true freshman, Hall saw action in all 13 games. He registered four tackles on the year and got in at cornerback four meaningful times throughout the season, totaling 45 snaps.
He had a tough outing against Nebraska coming in for an injured DeJean early in the game. On three targets, he gave up two touchdowns and over 100 yards. Iowa struggled in several areas that day and Hall is hardly to blame for that loss. However, after the game, Hall felt terrible and was apologizing to the team. His accountability as a true freshman in that moment was admirable, and former Hawkeye cornerback Riley Moss gave him some advice. In 2018, Moss had a very similar thing happen to him as a true freshman. Against Purdue in West Lafayette, Moss gave up three touchdowns on nine targets in a close, late-season loss. Moss told Hall that his performance on that day made him a better player. The former Hawkeye was selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Hall is stepping into his second training camp session. He already has playing experience and has faced early adversity that can set him up for a great sophomore season. Hall will be Iowa’s third-string cornerback, and a good training camp outing will be a big stepping stone for Hall’s development. He is a very talented cornerback who figures to be one of the next great Hawkeye defensive backs. These next few weeks in August are going to be big for Hall.
Yahya Black – Interior Defensive Line
Up front, Iowa’s defensive line could be one of Kirk Ferentz’s best in his 25-year tenure. There are some top-tier guys returning to the line and several depth pieces. One of the players to watch in this group is Yahya Black. The 6’-5” and 315-pound defensive lineman is entering his fourth season in the program with 26 games played. He has yet to start a game for the Hawkeyes but keeps pushing for time at the number two spot on the depth chart. Black is currently listed as the number two right defensive tackle behind Logan Lee. However, he can make an impact this season up front coming off the bench.
Last year, Black played in eight games with 11 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and one sack. The numbers didn’t bounce off the stats sheet, but his presence on the line was significant. He was able to do an excellent job filling run gaps and allowing his outside rushers to get pressure in the backfield. Joe Evans and first-round draft pick Lucas Van Ness combined for 12 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss last year. Following how Phil Parker rotates personnel on the defensive front in Iowa’s fall camp is going to be interesting. There are several options in that position room. Black will be a guy who takes a major step forward in 2023, even if he isn’t on that first-team list.
Photo courtesy: Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK
