Michigan assistant Matt Weiss tackles misconception about Iowa defense: 'These guys are gonna play in the NFL'
Michigan is heading to Iowa City to face the Hawkeyes and the nation’s top-ranked scoring defense in the country. Co-OC and QBs coach Matt Weiss knows it will be a challenge for the Wolverines because it’s a challenge for everyone that faces Iowa.
Weiss also took time during a Wednesday press conference to combat what he called a misconception about the Hawkeyes. According to Weiss, some have labeled the Iowa defense as “a bunch of no-name players” working together.
He denied that assertion, saying a lot of the Hawkeyes defenders will be playing the NFL (Via 247 Sports):
Iowa defense is a huge challenge for any team, any offense to face. There’s a reason why they’re number one in the country in a lot of areas. They play with unbelievable fundamentals, they’re sound, they communicate really well.
If you look at the defense, it’s all fifth-year guys, some fourth-year, guys. The only guy that’s not is Cooper DeJean who, when it’s all said and done, he may be the best one. He’s an elite player. Certainly will be playing at the next level.
And I think it’s a misconception about Iowa, too, that maybe they’re kind of like a bunch of no-name players. I mean, Riley Moss will be drafted. Jack Campbell will be drafted. Noah Shannon, John Waggoner. I mean, these guys are gonna play in the NFL. This isn’t a bunch of no-names. They have really good players. They have really good scheme. They know what they’re doing. They play hard. Nothing but the utmost respect for what they do and how they do it. It’s a huge challenge for us.
Regardless of the makeup of the unit, the Hawkeyes are going to be a challenge as one of the best defenses in the country. But Weiss also isn’t wrong with pieces like Campbell, Moss, DeJean, Kaevon Merriweather and others bound for careers in the NFL.
We’ll see which unit gets the upper hand in Week 5.