RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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During the Big Ten Network's coverage of Iowa football's training camp on Monday, defensive back Deshaun Lee and linebacker Jayden Montgomery spoke about what it will take for the Hawkeyes to improve upon an already stout defensive unit this fall.
Iowa lost key figures on the defensive side of the ball this offseason through exhausted eligibility and to the NFL draft, but Montgomery and Lee have viewed the challenge of matching and possibly surpassing last year's strengths as motivation.
"I would say, honestly, just taking it day by day," Montgomery said. "Like you said, we lost a lot of people from last year, so we don't have as much experience. But with less experience comes more room for growth, right? So we're just taking it day by day, trying to grow every single day, trying to eliminate the mistakes that we've made and not make those same mistakes twice so we can be ready to go."
"Live up to the standard." Deshaun Lee and Jayden Montgomery on what it will take to elevate @HawkeyeFootball 's 2026 defense 👇 pic.twitter.com/3W0GJoRO7t
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) August 24, 2026 "I'll say just live up to the standard," Lee added. "Before we got in these jerseys, it was guys way before us who were putting in work every single day, busting their butts. And it's all about the standard. So if we all can play up to the standard, go out there, play with intensity, immense effort, and we'll be good."
Alongside defensive back Zach Lutmer, Lee and Montgomery are the lone returning Hawkeyes defensively that bring back starting experience. Lee has started 26 games in his career, while Lutmer started all 13 games last season and Montgomery started eight in 2025.
Iowa will look to get off to a running start to the 2026 campaign when it hosts Northern Illinois in front of a sold-out Kinnick Stadium crowd on Sept. 5. Kickoff between the Hawkeyes and Huskies is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. CT, and the game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.
This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football leaders dissect approach to elevate 2026 defense
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