IOWA CITY, Iowa– The Hawkeye culture has been strong over the past couple decades thanks to Kirk Ferentz and company. Because of that, it has become a place that has strong loyalty between players and the program. Iowa has become a place where players aren’t afraid to return for a fifth or even sixth season.
This past week, the Hawkeyes learned that they would be getting back several key contributors including defensive end Ethan Hurkett, all-Big Ten center Logan Jones and defensive tackle Aaron Graves. Ferentz opened up about what their return means to the culture of Iowa and beyond.
“They embody, just like I talked about Jay, what we are and who we are,” Ferentz said of his returnees. “Hurkett in some ways, he’s not Joe Evans exactly, but there’s some parallels, the energy he brings, the tempo he works at, the focus he brings to everything. He’s an unbelievable leader just by his example.”…