The Iowa Hawkeyes have a rich history with some of the game’s titans suiting up in the black and gold. Hawkeyes Wire is taking a look back at Iowa’s finest offensive playmakers, defensive standouts, specialists and coaches from its entire history.
Now, it’s time to take a glance at the Hawkeyes’ defensive history. Which defensive linemen have frustrated opposing quarterbacks? Who are the Iowa linebackers that have snuffed out the opponents’ running game? In the secondary, which ball Hawks find their way onto the all-time list?
Here’s a look at our Iowa Hawkeyes all-time defensive players two-deep.
See the all-time Iowa offense here.
Check out our other College Wire all-time defenses: Alabama / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC
Starting DE No. 1: Adrian Clayborn
Leon Halip-USA TODAY Sports
Adrian Clayborn jumps out as one of the Hawkeyes’ starting defensive ends. The St. Louis, Mo., native racked up 20 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks in 2009. Then, in 2010, Clayborn earned consensus All-American honors. He was a two-time first-team All-Big Ten member. Clayborn also finished as a finalist for the Rotary Lombardi Award and a Ted Hendricks Award and as a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award in 2010.
Backup DE No. 1: Leroy Smith
RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
Leroy Smith was an absolute menace in 1991. He set the Iowa and Big Ten single-season records with 18 sacks during the 1991 season. Smith also had a single-game program best five sacks in a 16-9 win at Ohio State that season. The Sicklerville, N.J., product was a consensus All-American in 1991, a first-team All-Big Ten choice and was voted Defensive Player of the Year by the league’s coaches. He was also the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year in…
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