Phil Parker raves about Iowa football DL Bryce Hawthorne

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Phil Parker raves about Iowa football DL Bryce Hawthorne

Phil Parker raves about Iowa football DL Bryce Hawthorne

Zach Hiney, Hawkeyes Wire · Hawkeyes Wire

Sun, Oct 18, 2026 ·

2 min read

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The Iowa defensive line underwent a lot of change this offseason.

Longtime stalwarts like Aaron Graves, Max Llewellyn, and Ethan Hurkett all left for the NFL, officially running out of eligibility. Their departures left the Hawkeyes in a difficult spot. Defensive coordinator Phil Parker had a lot of work to do to replace that production. His job was made a bit easier by the return of Bryce Hawthorne.

The Osseo, Minn., native was the only returning defensive lineman with starting experience at Iowa . In 2025, he had 15 total tackles and an interception, playing mostly as a reserve.

Hawthorne was thrust into a starting spot this season, and he's excelled. The 6-foot-3 lineman has 19 total tackles and 2.5 sacks at the halfway point. He's tied with linebacker Preston Ries for the second-most sacks on the team.

Iowa held its midseason coordinators' interviews on Tuesday, and Parker had glowing things to say about what Hawthorne has brought to the table this season.

"We showed a clip a couple days ago of Bryce actually making a great effort play on the sideline. We had a missed tackle in the flat right in front of our bench, and you saw Bryce start running after him. It was the way he's grown a little bit, the effort that he was putting in, and the leadership. He's hard to block, as you see, and he's very active. When somebody does that, it establishes that leadership role. That kid is playing very hard and going full speed all the time, and people respect that. I think he's really done a good job getting back healthy and playing well," Parker said of Hawthorne.

Hawthorne's hustle and effort on every play have earned him a lot of respect from his coaching staff and teammates. He's the kind of player who inspires everyone else to give that extra effort in the biggest moments. That type of leadership can't be taught.

With all of their goals still in front of them this season, the Hawkeyes will lean on Hawthorne's experience to guide a young defensive line. That group has already seen a big leap from Week 1 to now. It's fair to expect them to be even better after the bye week.

Oct 9, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski (10) exits the locker room before pregame warmups against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
(Joe Nicholson, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 9, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz talks on the sideline during pregame warmups against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
(Joe Nicholson, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 9, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski (10) passes against the Washington Huskies during the first quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
(Joe Nicholson, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 9, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Kamari Moulton (28) celebrates after rushing for a touchdown against the Washington Huskies during the first quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
(Joe Nicholson, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 9, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz reacts to a successful extra point kick against the Washington Huskies during the first quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
(Joe Nicholson, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 9, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Jayden Montgomery (36) sacks Washington Huskies quarterback Demond Williams Jr. (1) during the second quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
(Joe Nicholson, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 9, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive lineman Will Hubert (57) tackles Washington Huskies wide receiver Dezmen Roebuck (2) following a reception by Roebuck during the second quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
(Joe Nicholson, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 9, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Jacob Wallace (11) and linebacker Jayden Montgomery (36) tackle Washington Huskies quarterback Demond Williams Jr. (1) during the second quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
(Joe Nicholson, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 9, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Kamari Moulton (28) rushes against the Washington Huskies during the second quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
(Joe Nicholson, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 9, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Elijah Brown (7) looks to pass against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the third quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
(Joe Nicholson, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 9, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Xavier Styles (18) defends a pass intended for Washington Huskies wide receiver Rashid Williams (3) during the third quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
(Joe Nicholson, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 9, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Braeden Jackson (22) runs for yards after the catch against the Washington Huskies during the fourth quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
(Joe Nicholson, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 9, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back L.J. Phillips Jr. (21) rushes against the Washington Huskies during the third quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
(Joe Nicholson, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 9, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz stands away from the sideline following a touchdown by the Washington Huskies during the third quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
(Joe Nicholson, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 9, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski (10) stands over center before a fourth quarter play against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
(Joe Nicholson, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 9, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski (10) celebrates following a victory against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
(Joe Nicholson, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 9, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes players do a cheer in front of their fans following a victory against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
(Joe Nicholson, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Phil Parker raves about Iowa football DL Bryce Hawthorne

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Phil Parker raves about Iowa football DL Bryce Hawthorne

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