DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The only problem Iowa had with playing three senior linebackers last season is that it now has to replace them all at the same time. The Hawkeyes have six months to find three new starters, and the process of replacing the core of an exceptional defense began this week with the start of spring practice.

James Morris, Christian Kirksey and Anthony Hitchens keyed a defense that finished ninth in the nation at just 18.9 points allowed per game in 2013. They’re all gone though, and backups Travis Perry, Quinton Alston and Reggie Spearman are first in line to replace them.