RANKING THE IOWA DEFENSE | Reece VanderZee EXCLUSIVE interview | Week 244 - Brada's Branded Thoughts

during week 244 of Brad's Brandon thoughts ranking Iowa footballs defense from one through five the five big positions on that side of the football Phil Parker's group poised for another really strong year but which group is the strongest which one is the weakest with the most room for improvement and solidification as it relates to depth during this fall Camp speaking of fall Camp we've got Iowa media day coming up on Friday the kids day open scrimmage Saturday but also here from Iowa freshman reys vandery he sat down with me to talk about his decision to be a hawk all that coming up during week 244 of Brad's branded thoughts you're watching and listening to from the Hawkeye of the storm straight from the man cave kinck under the kitchen authentic original player artwork is being drawn up for Hawkeye fans everywhere locally made prints of stars wearing the black and gold from the past present and future how about current Hawkeye Superstars Cooper to and Tory Taylor Legends of the past like Jack Campbell Spencer Lee and Tim Dwight plus future phenoms like Aaron Graves there are so many options available they make great gifts and your purchase benefits the Hawkeye athletes wearing the black and gold visit under thekitchen on Facebook or at underthe kitchen's new website that's underthe kitchen. square. again that's underthe kitchen. square. site check out under the kitchen today and get your authentic original Hawkeye print week 244 of Brat's branded thoughts this is my personal podcast which is now part of this platform has been a part of this platform since day one if you're new to the channel this is from the Hawkeye of the storm all of our long form content is also available on Spotify Google Apple Etc all the major podcasting platforms if you're a sponsor and you want to hop on as a partner before the start of Iowa football season be a great time to join the fry reach out to me I can be contacted at this email as you see up here info fromthe Hawkeye ofth storm.com again that's info at fromthe hawy ofth storm.com reach out to me if you're interested in sponsoring so a couple of weeks back I ran through my offensive position rankings in other words Iowa football's offense that looks to improve under Tim Lester in year one ranking the positions one through five and I know my number five surprised some people in that I picked Iowa's offensive line as the biggest weakness heading into fall Camp I don't think Kirk ference would have agreed with that although he's probably that Line's biggest critic being an o line guy himself we'll see how that line turns out and looks this coming Saturday at the kids day open practice but how about the defense everybody expects this defense to be at least probably top 10 top 15 nationally and one of the three or four best defensive squads in the Big 10 I think they got a chance CH to be maybe the best defense in the conference and that says a lot given some of the teams and the talent levels teams like Ohio State like Penn State even Oregon across the board but we start with number one my strongest position this won't be a surprise to anyone and that is a linebacker led by you know who Jay Higgins the guy could have jumped to the league he could have transferred a couple years back when he was stuck behind Jack Campbell Seth Benson and Company he paid his dues Justin Jacobs transferred to Oregon and Jay Higgins was rewarded for patience and his hard work behind the scenes this dude's poised to have yet another All-American level season and he's right alongside a guy in Nick Jackson who also is a potential All-American might break the all-time career tackling record this season how about that incredible from the former Virginia linebacker more on that crew in a minute number two really comes down to one player but that's the cash position Sebastian Castro or Sebastian Castro as I like to say could have easily jumped to the league he was a missile at times last year I was at that game up in Madison against the Badgers and he literally looked like he was being fired out of a cannon on a number of backfield tackles for loss and he's got an opportunity to really Elevate his draft stock I know a lot of preseason hype about him maybe being the best slot Corner in college football we'll continue to see his Improvement anticipate a continued Improvement and maybe the most important player to stay healthy and maybe people aren't talking about that we haven't gone through my most indispensable players for this team or just the offense of the defense have not done that yet will likely do that as we count down the days to the start of the season but it really comes down to that guy more on the depth in just a moment safety would be number three led by Quinn schy Xavier Wampa they really like a young guy who's coming back off injury Cohen in shinger who made waves with a an amazing effort play against Michigan in the Big 10 championship game number four the defensive line I thought about splitting this into defensive end defensive tackle because I do think there are different stories at each position but as you and I both know Kelvin Bell Phil Parker they like to run these guys inside and out I think Brian Allen's got an opportunity to kind of be a plug-and-play guy I don't think they're as deep there I think it's clear they're not as deep there Kirk farence said much at Big 10 media days now perhaps that depth will develop this fall this August but my anticipation is that the guys who are fifth or sixth on the list the exception maybe being Jeremiah Pitman because I think he's just a natural interior guy I could see them running guys on the inside and out and maybe a young guy will emerge we'll talk about that depth potential for some guys to get some playing time some snaps even at a young age and number five it is cornerback but look it says weak his position on the screen I still think this has an opportunity to be a position of strength I really like Jamari Harris anybody who's followed my channel knows that I'm a big fan of Jamari Harris and I think he's poised for a big year but I also think the competition iow was got Brewing at the other cornerback position I let everybody know yesterday it sounds like TJ Hall has really had a good camp but the hype heading into Camp was John Nester and hey deshun Lee played most of last season in relief of both Cooper Dee and jari Harris at times so more on cornerback in a moment as well let's go back to linebacker nobody is going to argue that it's the strongest position on the football field but it's not just about Jay Higgins and Nick Jackson how about the depth there you have a couple of guys that could have easily left one being Carson shy and I'm guessing guys like shy guys like Jaden Harrell both of those guys could have likely went somewhere else maybe not a power five school and started but you look at what Justin Jacobs did going to organ yes I get Jacobs had more meaningful snaps and Reps under his belt to Showcase to a transfer portal destination but here's a guy in Shire and in Herold that the coaches have been very complimentary of and my guess is when Seth Wallace Phil Parker speak highly of a player and other coaches have an opportunity to pursue that player they're going to pay attention to what their former coaches had to say so those guys have an opportunity in a year from now to be rewarded for their patience and Sh has dealt with some injuries but you hope he's finally healthy because they could really use him Jackson rexroth a walk-on who's had a lot of time on special teams he's another name to look out for I know they lost Aiden Hall who had transitioned over to DB and is no longer with the team at least not right now and then of course we cannot fail to mention Kyler Fischer who's really probably the number three guy when they don't go with sashan Castro it's going to be interesting to see how they utilize Castro and fiser are they on the field at the same time and what does that look like exactly injuries are a part of the game I'm guessing fiser is going to be like a Swiss army knife and if Higgins or potentially Jackson go down he will be the next linebacker I think he's experienced enough and smart enough to be able to pull that off how about the cash position in Sebastian Castro certainly his draft stock has an opportunity to be improved he would have gotten drafted last year had he decided to declare but what after him John Nester was listed on the depth chart during during the Big 10 media Days release but the guy doesn't have any experience and he played a little bit last year at Corner Iowa must see something in him to think that he can swing down and bring the level of physicality I it's hard to bring the level of physicality that Sebastian Castro has brought but that says something about John Nester I wouldn't be shocked to see a guy like rexroth maybe now maybe I'm totally off on Jackson rexroth's ability to guard out in space and defend but he'd be a guy to look for I think maybe in a situation where they need somebody to slide down into that cash position maybe it's a Deshawn Lee maybe it's a Cohen in trer if he's healthy but I do think as long as Castro stays healthy they're going to be excellent at the cash position but there are question marks if he were to go down he might be Iowa's most indispensible player on defense how about safety Xavier Wampa Quinn schy I mentioned Cohen trer they've got some really promising young guys you think about a guy like khil Tate when I remember when he committed and signed I remember talking about him as a potential cash guy He's listed right now at 5111 197 I wouldn't be shocked to see him get some run at cash but he's also considered to be a potential safety you look at a guy like Zack lutmer a lot of hype out of that Central lion graduate and talk about his speed heard reports that he potentially has Cooper deine like speed Tegan Davis is another really good athlete that Iowa added late in that 2023 class and everybody loves Jaylen Watson whose uncle is former Hawkeye Fred Russell so lots of names there but a lot of Youth safety Health cash health of utmost importance really I mean across the board Iowa is never going to be so deep at those three positions linebacker safety and cornerback that you can kind of say well we got depth we'll be fine but Phil Parker's done really good developing depth at corner even though they're young and inexperienced at the spot opposite Jamari Harris got a little bit more confidence at those guys and their ability to withstand injuries because they've done it in the past linebacker we'll see I got a lot of confidence in Seth Wallace as well but just a lot of unproven at cash and then specifically at safety um just so much experience bringing back Shelty and then of course a former five star and Xavier Wampa how about the defensive line they were number four on my list and I like the top six I don't love the top six I think your interior guys have an opportunity if they really have grown and I hope that they have and ya black and Aaron Graves to have all big 10 level Seasons both those guys look like NFL players but can they dominate on the interior of this line can they do more than just clog up space can they actually get to the quarterback andreek havoc on opposing offensive lines defensive line I don't think they've got as much ceiling there but Ethan herk's experienced Max Luellen's experienced those guys are going to be productive they learn behind the likes of Lucas vaness Joe Evans and don't forget about Deontay Craig it's GNA be a mix between Luellen herkin and Craig to start and then does Brian Allen mix in first and foremost with the defensive ends or does he slide into the interior like I said they might be able to use him at a couple different spots so after Aaron Graves and ya black Who's Next well likely Jeremiah Pitman so those guys all have experience Pitman is still a name that I don't think a lot of people are real familiar with but he's logged plenty of snaps and so you just wonder okay after number six is it Allen I think it probably is but do they have somebody as a number eight option I think developing a couple guys that they're comfortable with after number six can they get to seven or eight that might be the difference of this line being just average to good to being good to great and I think uh that might be happening we'll get an idea of that this weekend in talking with Kelvin Bell Phil Parker and watching this team on Saturday and of course cornerback you got three guys battling for one spot if something were to happen with Jamari Harris all those guys have a level of experience Lee and Hall have both subbed in in relief Duty in the past so maybe not the strongest position on the field as of preamp right now that I'm aware of um but potential there as is always going to be the case with a Phil Parker Le group so those are my defensive position rankings you may disagree feel free to comment that in the comment section below but as I mentioned earlier one young guy who's new to the fry is former teammate of Zack lmer and that's reys vandery the wide receiver from Western Iowa just got to campus here a couple of months ago of course it's middle of a camp so we're not talking to these players individually right now we'll get them on Friday at media day but back when ree vandery signed with the Hawks I sat down with Reese for about six or seven minutes to talk about his decision and I also asked him a question about Zack Leer's speed an exclusive interview with Reese vanders a Hawkeye freshman receiver coming up you're watching week 244 of Brad as Brandon thoughts here from the Hawkeye of the storm let me introduce you to one of the proud supporters of from the Hawkeye of the storm I a floor covering down in bond Durant now for the last year and a half you've heard me talk about this great company in the heart of central Iowa they've got their tough core click together 4.5 mm waterproof vinyl flooring great for you diyers out there but even if you're just a contractor or you need a different type of flooring they've got you covered whether it be tile tile showers carpet give Iowa Floor Covering a chance to serve you better and serve your flooring needs visit them online at Iowa Flor covering.com that's Iowa Flor covering.com or you can give them a call at 515 3797 that's 515 3797 thank you to Iowa Floor Covering in bond Durant Rees welcome to the show hey what's up how you doing I'm doing good man how are you good good appreciate you taking the time here on the show congratulations on signing I know it's been a long time coming you've been looking forward to this for a while you're an Iowa kid how does it feel to officially ink your name on the Black and Gold Line so to speak yeah it feels great um it's it's a dream come true to play to be able to have the opportunity to play for the Hawkeyes and uh yeah I I I really enjoyed the recruiting process and uh yeah I'm glad that it's over and glad the glad that it's official talk about that recruiting process and I asked KJ Parker the same thing just a couple of minutes ago um you know you and I both know you're an Iowa kid you're smalltown Iowa kid you understand that you're coming in play at a position where there is a need at receiver and there's opportunity not and that's got to be an exciting thing but talk about your recruitment what other options were on the table and then uh not to load this question up too much but when the announcement was made that there would be a change at the helm at offensive coordinator was there any doubt about your commitment yeah my recruitment was was good um I had I had a few few power five offers including Iowa and um yeah I just I enjoyed it uh coach Woods was was really good to to me and my school um he was my my main uh recruiting guy and he he's around he's from around here he's from West Lions so um that that was really helpful for us just to have someone around here that knows the ins and outs and and someone that we can trust so that was that was definitely huge part of uh my uh my my decision um and then yeah the the offensive coordinator situation um I mean it doesn't really bother me too much I'm I'm going to do what I can to get on the field and uh yeah I'm just excited to be part of the part of the Hawkeye family and I know that uh all the coaches they they care care about me and they they uh want want what's best for me so uh yeah I couldn't couldn't be uh uh more blessed to be in the position that I am today to uh to go to Iowa and and be with some of the uh really impressive people so en ree your your particular story is intriguing to me not only because you're I don't want to keep going back to the term small town kid but there been so many success stories I me you think about Cooper jeene on defense here out of all small kind of Western Iowa Town um you're kind of in a similar position do you uh do you take that to a big-time program like Iowa the fact that you did grow up in a really small community and almost feel indebted to that Community play with a chip on your shoulder like you're playing for your hometown yeah for sure um I mean the I've grown up in this in this uh in rock rabbit my whole life and uh I know our our town is really proud of uh both me and Graham for for being able to to continue at Iowa and also Zach so Um Zack lmer he's at Iowa right now too so um yeah it's really special just to be able to to have all of us three be able to continue at Iowa out of a town of like 2,000 so yeah it's it's really special our community is really proud and and I'm I'm very grateful to be be a part of such a such a community like that um just the support that we've gotten has has been crazy so it's been great make no mistake ree this is a segment about you but I do want to ask you about Zach because you brought him up the comparison has been made to Cooper Dee is Zach is as fast as we've heard he is yes yes for sure he is he uh his his when he gets on the field it's it's pretty crazy uh the cuts he makes he gets out in and out and uh yeah it's it's awesome his speed is is electric and and yeah uh comparing him to Cooper deene wouldn't wouldn't be too too much of a stretch and and I think he's going to do a lot of special things what do you think about Cooper de uh I think he's one of the best players in notable and he's going to make a lot of money uh in the next few years so uh yeah it's just uh just honor to be able to be in the same program as that so absolutely um you're listed I'm assuming these measurements that 247's got you at um let's see 6 foot5 190 is that about accurate yeah I I put on a few pounds of Summer I'm I'm at about 200 right now but uh 65 is right so you're coming in quote unquote as a bigger receiver what's your your uh skill set like for people who have not seen you in person I mean you can only see so much in highlight film and un huddle but uh talk about your skill set what you bring to the Iowa white out room yeah I I I think my skill set would just be that I'm an athlete I go up and get the ball I I I block I can I can do I I can do pretty much anything you need me to do um and and I'll do anything to help my team to win so I think uh me me playing multiple different sports has allowed me to to improve uh my football game and and just know uh the the types of athletic things I need to do in uh day in and day out so um I think that's that's something that's unique about me is is that uh I i' I have experienc in other sports and and I can just uh be go out there and be athletic um and and do what I need to do to win so that was actually my next question being a multiport athlete um talk about those other sports a little bit other Passions besid football yeah uh I I just love to compete um baseball is probably my second love after football um and and basketball and track I I I love doing too so um yeah it's it's it's great to live in a small town where you can do that do all four sports like that and uh really just just develop those relationships with all those guys and and yeah it's really special for me to be able to do that and yeah I just love to compete so Reese is there a foundational quote unquote leader of this class like somebody who's kind of stepped up and been the the vocal representation of the 24 class you think I mean I I think we'll get there yeah um I I'm not really sure I i' I've talked with a with quite a pretty much all of them but uh yeah we're just getting to know each other and and I can't wait to continue to keep knowing them so uh yeah I think we got a really special class going and and I think we're gonna we're going to do some great things so we'll look forward to talking with you at uh probably me media day uh if we don't talk sooner um appreciate you jumping on here and uh excited to see you in the black and gold for hopefully the next four to five years and uh seeing you making big pass plays with the offense all right perfect sounds good thank you many thanks to Ree vandery and Graham Ean I'm glad he brought up Graham because there's another young guy a DB who's got some good sneaky speed and athleticism and Iowa's done pretty good there at Central lion that's all of a sudden become a recruiting uh bre reading ground for the Iowa Hawkeyes they obviously have something in the water up there but congratulations to Reese officially being at Iowa and now he's in his first fall camp and he's a big guy at 6'4 65 got a couple of big receivers now Dayton Howard Reese vanders up in the 64 65 range I don't know that either of those guys will play a lot this year but injuries happen receivers not the toughest position to play at a young age Don Patterson would say just that so congratulations jice we'll look forward to talking with him this weekend be sure you're locked in here folks because coverage on media day and on the day of kids day the scrimmage on Saturday inside of kinnick Stadium keep it locked in right here from the Hawkeye of the storm hit that thumbs up button on the way out follow me on Twitter on Facebook on Instagram and we will talk to you next time