Iowa suffered its first major loss in 2016 when the NCAA denied Ott’s appeal for an extra year of eligibility because of a medical hardship. But the Hawkeyes should still have one of the best defenses in the Big Ten next fall, with seven starters back from a unit that allowed just 19 points a game last season.

Iowa, which went 12-2 and 8-0 in conference play last season, concluded spring practice with a scrimmage Saturday at Kinnick Stadium in which its defense outpaced its offense.