A staple for the Iowa Hawkeyes and their defense under the tutelage of defensive coordinator Phil Parker is elite linebacker play. The Hawkeyes are on a run of Jack Campbell and Jay Higgins manning the middle of the defense in prior years.
The group this year, while veterans within the program, are getting their first taste of steady, consistent action on defense. There have undoubtedly been growing pains, but the group is taking strides in the right direction.
When meeting with the media, Phil Parker talked about how he is pleased with the growth of Jayden Montgomery, Karson Sharar, and Jaden Harrell.
“He’s been doing a good job. Montgomery has been doing a great job in practice, and he knows the system, and he’s a hard worker. His dad is a coach. His dad played here. He has all the buy-ins as a player on defense. You really like and enjoy that.
“When Harrell went down, he has been doing a great job of understanding what we have to do and making sure that the frontage adjusts the way it should be. I think he’s again doing a good job.
“Karson, I think he’s really done some good things for us too at the wheel backer. All those guys, you know, they’re growing. They’re still young, and there’s not a lot of playing time as far as like a full-time when it’s meaningful during the game. I think they’ve done a great job, and Seth has obviously got them in the right direction,” Parker said about the Hawkeyes’ linebackers.
Jaden Harrell currently leads Iowa in tackles on the year with 32 total tackles, two tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and a sack. He is rounding into form and is a reliable presence for Phil Parker.
Karson Sharar is right behind him wiht 29 tackles on the year, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a sack as well. Jayden Montgomery has registered three total tackles and one tackle for loss on the year.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football DC Phil Parker pleased with growth of Hawkeyes’ linebackers
Reporting by Riley Donald, Hawkeyes Wire / Hawkeyes Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
