A lot of eyes are on the Iowa linebackers in preseason camp.

“Anxious to see how it plays out,” said Kirk Ferentz, Iowa football’s head coach. “It’s probably one of the biggest positions of intrigue if you will.”

“We’ve got to put these guys in the fire as often as we can at this point in camp, and then we gotta see how they navigate the smoke that comes with the fire,” said Seth Wallace, Iowa football’s linebackers coach.

The Hawkeyes need to replace both Nick Jackson and All-American Jay Higgins. The two linebackers combined for 215 tackles and five interceptions a year ago.

So far in practice, Durant native Nolan DeLong has been making a strong impression.

“I’ve always grown up pretty competitive. I play a lot of sports. I’ve always been competitive and fighting for a spot, and I feel like that good competitive energy lifts up the whole practice, and I feel like it’s always been good for the team and as of now it’s been looking pretty good, so we’re excited,” DeLong said.

“Nolan has put himself in a position where he is going to help build the depth, and hopefully clear the picture, ya know, when it comes time, ya know, for us to tee off in three weeks,” Wallace said.

Winfield – Mt. Union’s Cam Buffington is also getting reps in practice. He said it was beneficial learning from Higgins and Jackson during his freshman year.

“(You could see) just how dedicated they (were), and, like, their knowledge is crazy, and what it takes to be an Iowa linebacker,” Buffington said. “This program is, like, a developmental (program). I was just trying to grow and learn from the older guys, and just try to soak it all in.”

The duo is looking to make their impact felt before the season opener against Albany on Aug. 30.

“(The young linebackers have) done things in a way in which Jay Higgins did them, a way in which Jack Campbell did them, when they were buying their time,” Wallace said. “They paid unbelievable attention, and they were incredibly invested.”

“I’m just ready to be a key role player wherever they need me,” DeLong said. “I’m excited to get out there and work.”