Not a lot of Iowa’s 2022 recruiting class enrolled early to participate in spring practice this year, but the ones that did are making a pretty significant impact already. At least that’s the case if you ask veteran safety Kaevon Merriweather.

As the Hawkeyes start preparing for the 2022 season, Merriweather and other veteran players met with reporters on Tuesday to provide some spring practice updates. Some of the highlights early on from spring practice is the play of incoming 4-star defensive back Xavier Nwankpa and 3-star defensive back TJ Hall.

It sounds like both have a chance to carve out a role for themselves this fall.

Per Chad Liestikow of the Des Moines Register, Merriweather said Nwankpa “can pretty much move like any other DB in our room.” That’s a great sign for the depth and skill of Iowa’s secondary entering the 2022 season.

Merriweather had similar kudos to hand out to Hall, who reportedly has already made some splash plays.

Nwankpa was one of the top safeties in the 2022 recruiting class, ranking as the No. 5 player at his position and No. 53 overall talent for the cycle, per 247Sports. Hall was listed as the No. 35 athlete for the cycle.

Iowa is coming off a 10-4 campaign in 2022, winning the B1G West. The Hawkeyes are looking to defend their crown this fall.