I am usually known as the optimist when it comes to the Iowa Hawkeyes especially when they have just started fall camp but when it comes to the Hawkeye offense Kirk Ferentz did the one thing that could remove my usual sunny outlook, he kept Greg Davis as his offensive coordinator. I don’t completely fault Davis for Iowa’s inept offense last season I only blame him for about 95% of the problems. The injuries the struck the running backs last year (Mark Weisman and Jordan Canzeri were always seemingly banged up and LeShun Daniels went down), the lack of production at TE (a little bit Davis’s fault for not using them but they didn’t really give him a reason to) and the offensive line somehow being less than the sum of its parts were the 5% that wasn’t Davis’s doing. The terrible game-planning, the awful play-calling, the complete inability to use the playmakers available to him and the total predictability of the offense are all on Davis and somehow I don’t believe making Brian Ferentz the run-game coordinator is going to fix all of that. Kirk Ferentz somehow found a way to convince Gary Barta that he didn’t need to fire Davis and replace him with someone competent which means Ferentz probably bought himself another year because when this team finishes .500 or below he can blame the assistants and fire some of them and then he gets to keep his job. Barta should have insisted on the change this off season but he had no leverage because Ferentz knew he wasn’t going to write that buyout check yet but that decision is going to get easier every year as the price drops…unless of course Barta gives Ferentz another ridiculous extension.
Quarterbacks
Starter: CJ Beathard Junior
Backup: Tyler Wiegers Redshirt Freshman
There are a lot of Hawkeye fans that blame Jake Rudock for Iowa’s inept offense and many of them are in love with the idea of CJ Beathard unleashing the full force of Iowa’s offense on the world. I’m here to tell those people they are setting themselves up for disappointment. Rudock certainly played the game a certain way (very quick to take the underneath throw and play a conservative game) but the idea that Beathard’s gun slinging way is going to open up Greg Davis’s offense is insane. The offense is designed to play horizontally not vertically with the idea that you throw short and let the receivers make plays; it’s an antiquated philosophy that makes playing defense against your passing game easy. You don’t have to cover much down field and it brings the defense closer to the line and stifles your run game too. Any QB running this offense is going to struggle and while Beathard had his moments last year I don’t think he can overcome the schematic disadvantage he’ll have with this team. Anyone that watches college football and asks why this short quick passing game works for other teams it’s because those teams spread the defense out. A short range passing game works when you use 5 WR sets and take advantage of the mismatches it creates, Davis’ offense uses 3 WR and maybe a TE which doesn’t create mismatches at all.
As skeptical as I am about Beathard the Hawkeyes better hope the offensive line can keep him healthy because he’s the only QB on the roster that has ever taken a live snap in a college football game. The rest of the QB depth chart includes his backup Tyler Wiegers, a redshirt freshman, Ryan Boyle and Drew Cook, two true freshmen along with a true freshman walk-on Ryan Schmidt. I may not be Beathard’s biggest supporter but he’s the best chance Iowa has unless Wiegers takes a gigantic step.
Running Backs
Starter: LeShun Daniels Junior
Backup: Jordan Canzeri Senior
Fullbacks
Starter: Adam Cox Senior
Backup: Macon Plewa Senior
The Hawkeye offense needs the running game to carry the load because playmakers are few and far between in the passing game. LeShun Daniels showed the coaches enough during spring practice and in workouts over the summer to take the starting spot from Jordan Canzeri and it’s about time he gets his chance. Daniels was used sparingly two years ago and again last season before an injury took him out at midseason. He has a combination of size and speed that is lacking elsewhere on the roster but he’s the type of back that needs carries to get into a rhythm and stay there. He can handle the workload far better than Canzeri or Akrum Wadley and the Hawkeyes must trust him.
Canzeri is a very nice back to have and against certain defenses his style works very well but he just hasn’t been able to stay healthy and he’s not built to carry the ball 20-25 times a game. He should make for a very nice complement to Daniels and used correctly they should keep each other healthy, fresh and effective. Hopefully putting Brian Ferentz in charge of the running game will help the Hawkeyes find the right combination in the backfield.
Adam Cox was a walk-on that earned a scholarship last year and promptly blew out his knee and missed the season. Macon Plewa stepped in and was fine until he was injured and missed some time also. Having both of these experienced blockers back at fullback should help the running game overall and provide some solid protection in the passing game.
The Rest of the Depth Chart: Akrum Wadley is certainly the third RB simply because he has actual experience but he had fumbling issues last season and while he could be a playmaker if he can’t hold onto the ball he won’t play much for Kirk Ferentz. Derrick Mitchell is a sophomore that switched to RB from WR in the spring and did some very nice things and could give Wadley a run for money. Marcel Joly was a defensive back until he made the switch to RB in the spring also but the jury is still out on him. CJ Hilliard redshirted last year and hasn’t had a chance to make a move yet and he could get passed up pretty quickly. True freshman Eric Graham was an 11th hour signee out of Alabama that certainly looks like a redshirt this season but stranger things have happened at RB for the Hawkeyes.
Wide Receivers
Starters: Tevaun Smith Senior Matt VandeBerg Junior
Backups: Jacob Hillyer Senior Jay Scheel Redshirt Freshman
Tevaun Smith is the best NFL prospect at WR I’ve seen at Iowa in Ferentz’s entire tenure and it won’t matter a bit if someone doesn’t take some of the pressure off of him. Iowa’s offense isn’t designed to get Smith into a mismatch meaning one of the other WRs is going to have to step up so teams can’t just double cover him on every play. Matt VandeBerg is a nice slot receiver but if he is lining up outside in two receiver sets opposite Smith he scares no one. Smith is a playmaker and it would be nice if Iowa would find a way to get him into single coverage with motion but that seems like a longshot. He should catch at least 80 passes this season but he probably won’t and Iowa’s offense will suffer because of it.
Jacob Hillyer brings a different dimension to the position because he’s 6’4 and he knows how to use his height. He should be a dynamic red zone weapon but so far he hasn’t been. He doesn’t possess the speed to beat defenders regularly but it would be nice if he steps up on the outside and plays well enough to allow VandeBerg to play mostly in the slot. The best news I’ve seen in the two-deeps so far is Jay Scheel listed at WR. Scheel is a complete unknown because he missed his redshirt season last year recovering from a knee injury and he played QB in high school not WR. The reason this is good news is because his potential as a playmaker is much higher than that of Andrew Stone or Riley McCarron the other possible players that could have been in the two-deeps.
The X-Factor: Jonathan Parker has made the move to WR from RB and even though he made one of the most boneheaded plays I’ve ever seen in a football game in Iowa’s bowl game last year he is the type of playmaker the Hawkeyes need. Parker has game breaking speed and Iowa must figure out ways to get him the ball in space and it needs to be more than running the jet sweep. Speed is a completely useless trait if the defense knows exactly where you’re going.
Now or Never guys: There are three players currently on the roster that have been around long enough to earn playing time but just haven’t made the leap yet. Andrew Stone is a senior walk-on that has made the depth chart here and there but just isn’t likely to get real playing time. Riley McCarron was the talk of spring practice a couple of years ago but he just hasn’t stayed healthy and he’s been passed by other players. Andre Harris is a third year sophomore that has ability but just hasn’t put it together. He needs to make the leap to legitimate helpful WR or he’ll get passed by younger players.
The Future: It’s fairly obvious that Tevaun Smith is the only upperclassman WR I feel good about but I think Iowa may have some young talent that just needs a chance to shine. Joshua Jackson redshirted last year as a defensive back but moved to WR in the spring. He was a very good WR in high school and he could blossom if given the chance. Sophomore Ronald Nash just walked on to the Hawkeye team this year after spending last season at Iowa Western Community College and while he’s not a highly regarded recruit he could be a very solid possession receiver rather quickly. Then there are Iowa’s three true freshmen. Adrian Falconer from Florida and Emmanuel Ogwo and Jerminic Smith, both from Texas, could add the dynamic playmaking the offense needs if they can convince the coaches to accept some freshman mistakes along with the big plays. All three bring a speed dimension the offense is sorely lacking and after watching some film on all three I really like the way Smith plays. I’m hoping for a possible Smith (Tevaun) and Smith (Jerminic) duo on the outside putting pressure on opposing defenses.
Tight End
Starter: Henry Krieger-Coble Senior
Backup: George Kittle Junior
Coming back from injury: Jake Duzey Senior
Henry Krieger-Coble will start the year in the starting lineup but that’s because Jake Duzey was injured in the spring and is still working his way back. Krieger-Coble is a good blocker and he’s been underused in the passing game because guys like Duzey, Kittle and Ray Hamilton have been bigger threats in that area. He’s a capable pass catcher but he doesn’t put the defense back on its heels.
George Kittle is still more of a big WR that lines up at TE than he is a pure TE. He’s a threat down the seam because he has excellent speed and good hands. The offense has to find a way to get Kittle lined up against either slower defenders so he can use his speed or smaller defenders to take advantage of his size.
The loss of Duzey hurts because he’s a matchup nightmare at TE. At 6’4 250 lbs. he has good size, excellent speed and he’s dangerous in the open field. The Hawkeyes need as many playmakers as they can get and Duzey would be a big one. All is not lost as they hope to have him back by Big Ten play but the opening four games would be a little easier with one of the best pass catchers on the team playing.
Will We Finally See Him: Third year sophomore Jon Wisnieski hasn’t seen action after redshirting his first year and then suffering an injury that kept him out last season. He was a pretty good prospect coming out of high school and he has the right size and athleticism to be a very good TE. He has some rust to knock off but with Duzey out and no real depth behind Krieger-Coble and Kittle it’s time for Wisniewski to step up and earn some playing time.
*Redshirt Freshman Jameer Outsey made the move from LB to TE at the outset of fall camp and while he’s a good athlete that played TE in high school he’ll have to make major strides to get meaningful playing time this season.
Offensive Line
The offensive line wasn’t great last year and replacing LT Brandon Scherff and RT Andrew Donnal with two guys that have very little experience doesn’t bolster my confidence. The interior of the line struggled last season until Tommy Gaul was inserted at center and Austin Blythe moved over to guard and stabilized a troublesome spot. Blythe moves back to center where he’s very good but that means the guard spots are back in the hands of Jordan Walsh, Eric Simmons and Sean Welsh. Walsh needs a Matt Tobin-like senior season leap and Welsh sat out the spring for personal reasons so the jury is out on him. Iowa is always at its best when its offensive line is dominant but 4 out of the 5 spots are questionable so confidence is low.
Left Tackle
Starter: Boone Myers Sophomore
Backup: Cole Croston Junior
Myers is in the unenviable position of replacing a Hawkeye legend in Outland Trophy winner Brandon Scherff. It doesn’t help that he’s a former walk-on who is virtually unknown to anyone except the most diehard fans. He hasn’t played much at all and he wasn’t expected to take over the position but he won the job in spring practice. Myers is plenty big and he’s a pretty good athlete but he can’t possibly play up to the level of Scherff so the Hawkeyes need to hope he can just hold his own.
Croston is actually still a walk-on but he’s played well enough that he seems to be the third tackle. If either Myers or RT Ike Boettger go down with an injury it’s likely Croston steps in.
Left Guard
Starter: Eric Simmons Senior
Backup: Sean Welsh Sophomore
Welsh was the starter at the beginning of last season as a redshirt freshman and he struggled quite a bit. He didn’t participate in spring practice as he dealt with some personal issues and senior Eric Simmons stepped up and took over the position. Simmons has been a backup at all three interior line spots since he joined the Hawkeyes from IWCC as a sophomore.
Welsh could work his way back into the starting lineup if he is ready and focused on football. He has plenty of talent and the coaches recognized that last year but he needs to put those struggles behind him and concentrate on being more consistent.
Center
Starter: Austin Blythe Senior
Backup: Eric Simmons Senior
Blythe is the one offensive lineman the Hawkeyes know they can count on and he’s been named to a few preseason award watch lists including the Rimington Award list for best center. Unlike most of the recent centers for Iowa Blythe isn’t an undersized player that relies on his technique. He is a powerful athlete with good size and plenty of experience and he’s an NFL caliber player in the pivot.
Simmons is the listed backup at center and if Blythe goes down (God forbid) Simmons would slide over to center and the Hawks would insert Welsh or someone else at left guard.
Right Guard
Starter: Jordan Walsh Senior
Backup: Mitch Keppy Junior
Walsh has a lot of experience as he’s been either the starter or shared the starting spot at RG for the past two years. Unfortunately not all of that experience has been good. He has struggled time and time again but the Hawkeyes have yet to come up with a better solution. The Hawkeyes have had players in the past that took major steps their senior year and everyone is hoping Walsh’s talent finally shines through.
Mitch Keppy is a junior that hasn’t played yet and while he’s found himself in the two-deeps now he has a whole host of players coming up behind him and while the hope is he can push Walsh and possibly help out at the position he will have to hold off some underclassmen.
Right Tackle
Starter: Ike Boettger Sophomore
Backup: Keegan Render Redshirt Freshman
Boettger is a third year player that has only played offensive line for one season as he came to Iowa as a TE. He has great size and athleticism and last year he stepped in at LT when Brandon Scherff went down for a short time. Many believed he would succeed Scherff at that spot but the coaches believe Myers is better suited to the left side and expect Boettger to excel at RT.
The Hawkeyes have struggled recruiting true offensive tackles for a number of year which is why Render is listed here. He would only play tackle if two injuries occur as Cole Croston would step in to replace Myers or Boettger if either has to come out of the game. Render might be an eventual guard if he proves to be one of the best five linemen.
The Forgotten Man: Ryan Ward came to Iowa as a four-star offensive tackle but he has never lived up to the billing. He has rarely cracked the two-deeps in his career and the only playing time he has managed is as a jumbo blocking TE in power run formations last season. Ward is a fourth year junior that is unlikely to see a fifth year.
The Interior Depth: Keegan Render is joined by three other redshirt freshmen that I think could push for playing time at the guard positions if Welsh and Walsh falter. Ross Reynolds, Lucas LeGrand and walk-on Dalton Ferguson are all similarly built guys that are young and just need some time to learn what they are doing and they could provide nice depth inside.
The Future: The Iowa Hawkeyes signed a class of five true freshmen that could someday be the starting lineup. Levi and Landan Paulsen are twins from northwest Iowa and could eventually form the left side of the line with Levi at tackle and Landan at guard. Levi sustained an arm injury during the summer but he was always going to redshirt anyway so he’ll use this season to rehab. Jake Newborg out of West Lyon will start his career as a guard even though he could eventually move to DT. Brett Waechter was an early enrollee back in the spring but he didn’t participate in spring ball as he was rehabbing a shoulder injury, he could be a future offensive tackle. The most heralded member of the class was also an early enrollee center James Daniels. RB LeShun Daniels younger brother is the future starter in the middle and the future is likely next season. Daniels could be a star.
Kicker
Marshall Koehn is the kicker and he’s got a big leg and became far more consistent at the end of last season than he has ever been before. Oh and he might win the punting job too.
The Hott Read 