While most of America is preparing for another intense weekend of college football, the Iowa Hawkeyes will spend the weekend relaxing on their couches. 

And it's a well-deserved rest day, too. No. 17 Iowa enters its bye week at 5-1 overall and 2-1 in Big Ten play with very realistic College Football Playoff hopes. 

Though the players are resting, HawkeyeRoundtable.com has been pumping out content all week long. This is now our fourth and final midseason report card, with this one featuring the rest of the defense and the specialists. 

Here we go. 

NOTE: This list doesn't include every defensive player. Players with five or less tackles this year won't be included 

Luke Gaffney: B 

Like Jayden Montgomery and Zach Lutmer, Gaffney is just one of those players on this defense that brings so much veteran leadership to their respective position groups. The fifth-year defensive lineman has tallied 12 tackles so far this season. 

Darion Jones: A

It's probably unfair to grade on potential, but I really like what I'm seeing from Jones so far. This article does include special teams, so I guess I can give him an A for his strong performance there, after all. Jones will have a hard time seeing major playing time the rest of the way, but he's going to be a really good player for the Hawkeyes. 

Kahmari Brown: B 

The Elon transfer struggled to get settled in as a Big Ten defensive lineman for a few weeks, but it feels like he's starting to turn a corner right now. Brown tallied a season-best five tackles and a sack against Ohio State and has 11 tackles total on the year. 

Will Hubert: B 

Like so many others on this Hawkeye roster, Hubert has patiently waited his chance to get playing time, and the hard work has paid off this year. It's really hard to rank some of these defensive lineman because we've seen so many of them in action this year, but a B again feels right for Hubert because he's done his job - 10 tackles this year. 

Tyler Brown: C 

Brown's first season as a Hawkeye has been a disappointment, but he has no control over that. The James Madison transfer safety has been battling injuries all season, and Kirk Ferentz said a few weeks ago that Brown will "be out for awhile" after re-aggravating a soft tissue injury against Michigan. 

Preston Ries: B+

Ries doesn't receive an A because of his limited work this year, but he really showed what he could be against Washington. Phil Parker wasn't afraid to send the linebacker on blitzes against Washington, and Ries responded by tallying a pair of sacks. Not only that, he remains dominant on special teams. 

Iose Epenesa: C+ 

Epenesa is still young (he's only a second-year), but the results haven't been there so far. The defensive lineman has tallied just nine tackles and no sacks this season. The Hawkeyes will definitely hope they can see more from the former five-star prospect on the back end of the schedule. 

Anthony Hawkins: B

The Villanova transfer has often stepped in for the injured Brown at safety, and he's done a fine job, recording eight tackles and one pass deflection. Pro Football Focus gave Hawkins a 74.8 grade against Washington - behind only Montgomery on the defense. We'll see how Iowa continues to play the safety position moving forward. 

Boston Everitt: A+

Iowa couldn't have asked from a better performance from Everitt so far. The second-year has booted 27 punts for an average of 43 yards per punt, and it seems like he's guaranteed to stick one inside the five every game. The Hawkeyes are probably going to be in a lot of close games the rest of the way and Everitt could be the difference in some. 

Caden Buhr: A 

Iowa had a lot of questions at kicker entering the year, but the walk-on Buhr has silenced the doubters so far. His career began on an ominous note with a missed field goal and extra point in the season opener, but Buhr has been fantastic ever since. The game-winning field goal against Iowa State is obviously the highlight of his campaign, and that clutch gene may be needed at some point down the road. 

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HawkeyeRoundtable publisher Brad Schultz has covered the Iowa Hawkeyes since 2023. To send him story ideas, scoops, or criticize his writing, reach him at [email protected]