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We continue countdown to Iowa’s first gameday with another projected starter along the defensive line!
Brady Reiff – Senior
Parkston, South Dakota (Parkston)
6’3”, 277 lbs
2019 Projection: Starting defensive tackle
Reiff came to Iowa as a legacy recruit by way of brother Riley as a three-star recruit in 2015. According to 247sports, his only other offer was nearby South Dakota State. He was almost literally a do-it-all athlete before coming to Iowa in the spring of 2015: won state wrestling twice at 220 lbs, qualified as a sprinter in track, and helped his high school win its first ever state championship in football after playing all around the field (end, linebacker, tight end, wideout).
As mentioned during these previews, many of Iowa’s defensive linemen were forced into early action as depth along the front was dire and a rotation became a bigger part of Phil Parker’s philosophy. As a redshirt freshman in 2016, he had just one tackle against Illinois. 2017 was better for Reiff as he became a more rotational piece as he tallied 13 tackles, a sack, and an interception.
He maintained his rotational role after an off-field incident held him out of Iowa’s first game in 2018. He tallied 12 total tackles and a sack. In his time at Iowa, he has been selected as an academic all-conference player twice.
For the upcoming season, his role will increase as he is moved to a starter. Iowa has had undersized tackles succeed in their scheme and with increased depth, Reiff could be another to contribute to a very good defense.