98 Days Until Hawkeye Football: Chris Reames

Welcome back to our countdown of the Iowa Hawkeyes football season. Our next

Chris Reames – RS Sophomore
Van Meter, IA (Van Meter)
6’7”, 255 lbs
2021 Projection: Reserve defensive end

Reames was a 3-star defensive end out of high school in 2019 with offers from Army, Eastern Michigan, and a number of FCS schools, according to 247sports.

Looking at his HS tape, he is often the biggest, most athletic guy on the field. He shows solid strength blocking on offense and some requisite skills getting into the backfield on defense.

It’s clear, though, that he has much room to grow into his frame. Just like Reames, Anthony Nelson came into Iowa at 6’7”, 215 pounds and left at 271. Reames is very much on that path after adding 25 pounds from last year to get to the listed 255 lbs.

With spring having come and gone, he’s found his way onto the depth chart - a very good sign - behind Zach Van Valkenberg. However, he missed some spring practices with injuries. Scott Dochterman wrote in the post mortem of Iowa’s spring that #4 DE remains up for grabs behind starters ZVV, John Waggoner, and pass rush extraordinaire Joe Evans.

He’ll compete for those reps alongside Deontae Craig & Ethan Hurkett. Unlike those two, Reames’ length may set him apart. He just needs to stay healthy to put him in the best position for playing time.