Aug. 4, 2012

Practice No. 2 Photo Gallery  | Video interview with C. Kirksey

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IOWA CITY, Iowa -- University of Iowa outside linebacker Christian Kirksey applauded the pace of the workouts following the second practice of fall camp Saturday.

"It feels good. It always feels good to get back to work," said Kirksey, from inside the renovated Kenyon Football Practice Facility. "We've been working with the younger guys and it's a good tempo during camp. We're looking forward to getting better every day and prepare for the season."

Kirksey, a junior from St. Louis, shared the team lead in tackles last season with 110. He registered 11 solo and two assists at Iowa State, and added 12 stops against Indiana. Five linebacker-lettermen return: Kirksey, Quinton Alston, Marcus Collins, Anthony Hitchens and James Morris. Kirksey started all 13 games last season, Morris started 12 times.

"I feel good about this group," Kirksey said. "We're out here working hard; coach (LeVar) Woods is coaching us very well and we're coming together as a group and making sure we're all disciplined and perfect our footwork. I feel very comfortable with the way things have been going."

Because of the depth for the Hawkeyes at linebacker, there was not a quantity need in the most recent recruiting class. Iowa still signed quality.

"We have people like Laron (Taylor) -- he's coming in and learning the playbook and he's doing very well," Kirksey said. "We have people like Dalton (Shaull) -- they're coming in and getting a feel for the defense and getting a feel for how linebackers work."

The Hawkeyes return to practice Sunday; the annual media day is Monday, Aug. 6, beginning with a press conference at 1:30 p.m. (CT) by head coach Kirk Ferentz that can be watched free on hawkeyesports.com by clicking HERE.