When the Iowa Hawkeyes released the first depth chart for the ReliaQuest Bowl, they took a step closer to their matchup with No. 14 Vanderbilt on New Year’s Eve. One significant absence stood out right away. Star cornerback TJ Hall was missing from the chart when it was made public, which raised serious concerns about the availability of one of Iowa’s most crucial defensive players.
For weeks, Iowa has been focused on Vanderbilt; on Christmas Day, they even traveled to Tampa to get settled and get ready for the postseason game. The Hawkeyes have played at Raymond James Stadium six times under longtime head coach Kirk Ferentz, making it a familiar venue. Although that familiarity is consoling, it does not remove uncertainty, particularly when a significant contributor might be overlooked.
Hall is not listed at either cornerback position in the depth chart that was made public prior to the game. Rather, Deshaun Lee is listed on the right side and Zach Lutmer is scheduled to start at left corner. The remaining members of the two-deep seem to be unharmed, indicating that Iowa anticipates having a complete roster of players available aside from Hall.
Because of how crucial Hall became to Iowa’s defense throughout the season, his absence is noteworthy. Hall routinely received the hardest assignments after becoming the Hawkeyes’ top cornerback, frequently facing the team’s best receiving threat. He was a key component of Phil Parker’s defensive scheme because of his physicality, discipline, and ability to remain composed in coverage.
A secondary that has been one of the team’s strong points would suffer a serious setback if Hall is unable to play against Vanderbilt. With just 270.6 yards allowed per game, Iowa’s defense has quietly put together an outstanding campaign, ranking seventh nationally in total defense. The Hawkeyes are just as good against the pass, ranking seventh in both team passing efficiency defense (104.95) and passing yards allowed per game (158.2).
Hall’s influence is evident in his individual productions. He recorded a career-high 39 tackles this season, including 15 assists and 24 solo stops. He also set a new personal record by breaking up eight passes, demonstrating his ability to interfere with both receivers and quarterbacks.
However, a large portion of Hall’s value came from limiting opportunities before the ball ever arrived, so those numbers only tell part of the story. Against a Vanderbilt offense led by quarterback Diego Pavia, that skill set might be greatly missed. Pavia is known for being a self-assured passer who doesn’t mind taking on defenses downfield. Iowa supporters would be even more concerned about Hall’s possible absence because he would typically be the player trusted to shadow Vanderbilt’s most potent receiving option.
There might be a bright side, though. The ReliaQuest Bowl may provide insight into the Iowa secondary’s future if Hall is unable to attend. Younger defensive backs like Jaylen Watson and Rashad Godfrey might have more responsibilities and acquire important big-stage game experience. Even in less-than-ideal situations, such moments can accelerate growth for a program that takes pride in its development.
Hall’s final year of college eligibility makes the timing particularly difficult. He would lose his final chance to play in an Iowa uniform if he missed the bowl game, which is something no player wants to do after dedicating years to the program. When facing a ranked opponent, having him available would give the team stability and confidence. Hall is currently the only significant uncertainty on the roster. Iowa has a strong base as it gets ready for Vanderbilt because everyone else seems prepared. The Hawkeyes will rely on their defensive identity, discipline, and depth to compete in Tampa whether Hall plays or not.
Although the depth chart caused some controversy, it also demonstrated how much Iowa has improved this season. The Hawkeyes will face a crucial New Year’s Eve test that will require concentration, flexibility, and perseverance from beginning to end, with or without their star corner.
