2016 Iowa Hawkeye Preview
What a difference a Rose Bowl makes. At this time last year, I was wondering if we were witnessing the beginning of the end of the Kirk Ferentz era of Iowa football and now the Captain is going to be staying as long as he likes. That’s what happens when you go 12-0 in the regular season to win the Big Ten West, take Michigan St. down to the wire in the Big Ten Championship game and end Iowa’s 25-year absence from the Rose Bowl. The MSU loss was heartbreaking and the Rose Bowl was awful but that 12-0 regular season gives everyone hope for 2016. QB CJ Beathard returns to lead the offense and hopes to actually be healthy this year and Jim Thorpe Award winner CB Desmond King surprisingly returns to lead the Hawkeye defense. I say surprisingly because King would have been a 1st round draft pick in 2016 and has nothing left to prove at Iowa. King is one of the major returning stars in college football this season and Beathard is one of the more underappreciated players nationally but he’ll be greatly appreciated by the Hawkeye faithful.
Beathard leads the charge on offense and now that his groin injury is healed he hopes to stay healthy and that’s a scary thought for the rest of the Big Ten given the season he had last year when he was never really 100% during the Big Ten season. The running game should be in good hands if LeShun Daniels Jr. can stay healthy (that’s a big if) and if Akrum Wadley can build on the good parts of his game and limit the rough parts (no fumbling issues Akrum). Third-down back Derrick Mitchell has a specific set of skills the Hawkeyes like to use and there are a couple of young freshmen RBs waiting in the wings. The offensive line is surprisingly experienced considering the loss of starters C Austin Blythe and G Jordan Walsh. The line is always a major piece of the offensive puzzle on a Kirk Ferentz coached team and all five starters return with at least some starting experience. TE George Kittle should be one of Beathard’s favorite targets but he’s the only TE with any real playing time. The WR corps is high on potential and low on production. WR Matt VandeBerg is Beathard’s favorite target but after him the WRs are anyone’s guess.
Here’s the more in-depth breakdown of the offense.
Quarterbacks
Starter: CJ Beathard (Sr)
Desmond King may be the star of the team but the Hawkeye will only go as far a Beathard takes them. His gritty performance last year after injuring his groin and staying in the lineup to lead the team to a 12-0 regular season earned him a lot of points with the fans and even more with his teammates. He had already taken control and shown the leadership the team was a looking for before the injury but nothing gains the loyalty of your teammates like gutting it out when they know you’re hurting. There were times last year when Beathard looked like an elderly man walking gingerly back to huddle after a play but from the time the ball was snapped to the time the whistle blew he was playing as hard as anyone on the field.
Backup: Tyler Wiegers (So)
Wiegers didn’t have a good spring game when Beathard had to sit out with a banged up shoulder (don’t worry, he’s fine now). It doesn’t give people much confidence in him if something were to happen to Beathard but Wiegers was in a strange spot. Beathard had been playing all spring and then just a day or two before the spring game he was thrust into the starting lineup. The starters on offense were moving around a bit and he obviously doesn’t have any chemistry with the receivers on that unit (I’m fairly certain Beathard only has chemistry with VandeBerg at this point so it’s understandable). He is in his third year on campus and he has some talent he just needs some reps with the big boys and hopefully with Beathard in full control of the offense they can give him a little rest during practice and let Wiegers take some more reps. He may not look like the ideal solution if Beathard goes down but the rest of the depth chart is a redshirt freshman and a true freshman, for now Wiegers is the best bet behind CJ.
The Future: Drew Cook (RS Fr) Nathan Stanley (Fr)
With former QB Ryan Boyle making the full-time move to WR at the end of the spring it leaves his classmate Drew Cook and incoming freshman Nathan Stanley as the other scholarship QBs on the roster. Many assumed Cook, the son of Hawkeye legend Marv Cook, would make the switch to TE like his dad but it was Boyle that changed positions. Cook is big at 6’5 220 lbs. and athletic and he certainly looks the part but he has a lot to learn. Stanley is the incoming freshman from Wisconsin and he’s almost equally as big at 6’5 212 lbs. and he’s a phenomenal athlete. When 2017 rolls around I expect both of these two to give Wiegers stiff competition to replace Beathard and any of the three could win the job. And I wouldn’t be all that surprised if it’s Stanley.
Running Backs
Starters: LeShun Daniels Jr. (Sr) Akrum Wadley (Jr)
Daniels is listed as the starter with Wadley listed as his backup but that’s a technicality because we all know they will both get their touches. Daniels is the power back that takes too many hits and can’t seem to stay healthy for a full season so it would be best for him to share the load. Wadley is a speed back with homerun ability and some questionable ball security issues. They should make for a very effective duo is they can overcome their question marks. Jordan Canzeri stepped forward last year because of his reliability and had a good year but both Daniels and Wadley possess the talent to be even better. The Hawkeyes will rely on the run game because of their lack of proven playmakers in the passing game and an offensive line that should excel as run blockers. One of these two could emerge and take over the job full-time but I would suspect that each one will actually excel depending upon the weekly matchup.
Backup: Derrick Mitchell Jr. (Jr)
It isn’t going to just be a two man show in the backfield because Mitchell proved last year he can make a valuable contribution especially on third-down. He is a converted WR which explains his superior pass catching skills but he has put in the work and is a very good blocker in blitz pickup. Those skills make him invaluable to Kirk Ferentz, Greg Davis and Brian Ferentz on the offense because he can also run the ball a little meaning his presence isn’t a dead giveaway on the play call. His experience gives him a leg up on his new teammates.
The Future: Toks Akinribade (Fr) Toren Young (Fr)
Iowa did use four different RBs last season so it’s not out of the question that one of these two will get playing time in the backfield (apologies to Marcel Joly but he is going to end up behind both of these guys sooner rather than later). Akinribade has the size and speed to be an immediate contributor while Young has the size for sure and could be a power back replacement for Daniels if (let’s hope it’s if and not when) he gets injured. Akinribade has a myriad of skills and could give Mitchell a run for his money as the third down back. Young is big at 5’11 and about 225 lbs. so he has size and he was unbelievably productive as a high school senior (2,776 yards rushing and 28 TDs). Seriously, those numbers are not a typo and that was just his senior year not a career total.
Fullback
The Hawkeyes lost Adam Cox and Macon Plewa to graduation so the position is a bit wide open. Drake Kulick (Jr) looks like the likely starter while young guys Austin Kelly (So) and Brady Ross (RS Fr) vie for the backup role. Iowa turned Cox and Plewa into excellent lead blockers and it really enhanced the running game last season and there is no reason these three hard working guys can’t do the same. It’s not a flashy position and not a lot of college teams use fullbacks any more but Iowa has made some good ones. The best case scenario for these guys is that you barely hear their names next year, that means they are doing their jobs and not messing anything up. They are the unsung heroes of the running game but their coaches and teammates no how important a good fullback can be.
Tight End
Starter: George Kittle (Sr)
Kittle is going to be one of the two guys Beathard will trust the most this season right from the start (the other is WR Matt VandeBerg). He is the only TE with any real game experience and he brings real playmaking ability to the position. Kittle can run all the routes and he’s a matchup nightmare in the passing game. He has good hands and while his blocking isn’t his strong suit he is willing and able to do it and has gotten better in his time at Iowa. He could be in for a breakout sort of year and really make a major impact for this team.
Backups: Jon Wisnieski (Jr), Peter Pekar (Jr), Nate Vejvoda (RS Fr), Nate Wieting (RS Fr)
Behind Kittle it’s a bit of a crapshoot until the incoming freshmen get their shot and things sort themselves out. Two juniors and two redshirt freshmen will try to fend off the talented freshmen class. Jon Wisnieski was a good prospect when he came to Iowa but he hasn’t been able to stay healthy long enough to earn playing time. He is in his fourth year on campus and it’s now or never because there are young guys ready to pass him by and playing time behind Kittle is there for the taking. Hopefully Wisnieski can finally put it all together and become a contributor. Pekar is a walk-on that has flashed at times during practices but just hasn’t quite figured it all out yet. He has more time on the team than everyone except Kittle and Wisnieski but that might not be enough to overcome the incoming talent. Vejvoda redshirted last year and he could make his presence felt this year if he makes some plays. He’s had a year to get physically ready and learn the offense and he needs to take advantage so he doesn’t become the forgotten man. Wieting is another walk-on TE and he also redshirted last year and the coaches seem to like his potential but again the incoming talent is pretty impressive so he needs to show what he can do.
The Future: Noah Fant (Fr) TJ Hockenson (Fr) Shaun Beyer (Fr)
I don’t have any stats to back it up but I would guess it’s fairly rare for a team to recruit three TEs in one class but Iowa did it this year and given the depth chart’s unknowns behind George Kittle it’s not that surprising. There are reports this summer that Shaun Beyer is working out as a WR and given he’s 6’5 210 lbs. he has a ways to go before he’s big enough to play TE but I’m going to guess he’s still going to get there eventually. Beyer will likely redshirt in order to physically mature and give the coaches a chance to decide where he ends up. It’s also just a good idea to split up the class of three TEs a bit for the future. Noah Fant is a special athlete and while he only comes in at 220 lbs. I have a feeling the coaches will find some way to work him into the offense as a pass catcher. TJ Hockenson is the biggest of the three incoming freshman at 230 lbs. (they all measure in at 6’5) and while he may not be the athlete Fant is he is an accomplished pass catcher. He rewrote virtually every pass receiving record in Iowa high school history throughout his career and he has incredible hands. Fant and Hockenson have a chance to move up the depth chart quickly and become two more playmaking TEs for Beathard and the offense.
Offensive Line
The offensive line features five players that all started at one time or another last season; Cole Croston, Boone Myers, Sean Welsh, James Daniels and Ike Boettger. These five are backed up by a bunch of guys that have virtually no playing experience at all. Kirk Ferentz has always been one to play the best five guys regardless of position and these five all seem to have some versatility so that helps a lot.
Starters:
Left Tackle: Cole Croston (Sr)
Croston started last year as the third OT behind Boone Myers and Ike Boettger but after a number of different injuries and some shuffling around he ended up at LT and seems to have settled in at the position. The coaches think he is more comfortable outside at OT than inside at guard and everyone is hopeful he can keep CJ Beathard’s blindside protected. Croston is a former walk-on that earned a scholarship and is looking to have a special fifth year.
Left Guard: Boone Myers (Jr)
Myers started last season at LT but he moves inside this year to let Croston play on the outside where he is more comfortable. Myers brings a physicality inside that should work well in the run game. He is also a former walk-on that earned a scholarship and while the depth chart lists Brett Waechter as the backup at LT (more on him later) I would be shocked if Myers didn’t slide outside in the event Croston goes down for any reason.
Center: Sean Welsh (Jr)
Welsh played OG and even RT a little last year and when James Daniels missed spring practice after having surgery the coaches moved Welsh inside to center. He seemed to handle the transition well and for now that’s his spot but it isn’t set in stone. Daniels is a natural center and these two will likely alternate during training camp between center and right guard. It’s not a bad idea because other than Daniels the Hawkeyes don’t have a natural center.
Right Guard: James Daniels (So)
Daniels didn’t even play during spring practice and he’s still listed as a starter, that’s just how good he was last year. Daniels played guard and tackle as a true freshman and neither of those are his natural position. Welsh earned a shot at center with his play this spring but if I were a betting man I think Daniels ends up with the job and Welsh moves back to his natural guard spot. Daniels is a future star lineman for the Hawkeyes wherever he lines up but I think he gets his position back eventually.
Right Tackle: Ike Boettger (Jr)
Boettger is a converted TE with good size and athleticism for the RT position. He was banged up a bit last season and like many of the linemen he struggled in the Rose Bowl but he’s fairly new to the position so he just needs some time to grow. He should hold down this spot for the next few years and he’ll only get better with experience.
Backups
Left Tackle: Brett Waechter (RS Fr)
Waechter spent last season redshirting and rehabbing from a previous shoulder injury and yet he came out of spring ball listed in the two-deeps as the backup to a senior at LT. That’s a pretty good sign for a youngster and I think his future is bright. Like I said I think if there is an injury to Croston Ferentz’s first instinct will be to slide Boone Myers back outside to LT but Waechter could very well be the next man in even if it is at LG. In the past Ferentz has had a habit of breaking in his young OTs at OG to get their feet wet and Waechter has obviously shown the coaches he has something to work with.
Center: Steve Ferentz (Sr) Lucas LeGrand (So)
If by some chance the Hawkeyes lose both James Daniels and Sean Welsh things could get a little dicey at center. Steve Ferentz is a fifth-year senior walk-on who hasn’t played a meaningful snap in the last four years and is still a bit undersized. Yes, both his older brothers played center while undersized but they were very good technicians and Steve isn’t on that level. Lucas LeGrand has practiced at center but it isn’t his natural spot so it could be up to one of the younger interior guys to pick it up. The truth is the team is counting on Welsh and/or Daniels to hold down the spot for the next three years (Daniels still has 3 years of eligibility).
Guards: Ryan Ward (Sr), Mitch Keppy (Sr), Keegan Render (So), Ross Reynolds (So)
Two seniors that have never really played and two sophomores trying to hold off the youngsters could rotate in at any of the guard positions because none of them have ever been in the lineup. Ward was listed in the two deeps but was replaced by LeGrand and Render is listed in the two-deeps and he could be the first man in at OG if there is an injury. Training camp will sort out the pecking order and if there is an injury there will likely be some shuffling because of the versatility of Welsh, Daniels and Myers. It is time for Render, Reynolds and LeGrand to step up or get passed by because the redshirt freshmen class has some talent coming up fast. Ferentz could get a look at guard too but all of these guys need to take the next step in development or they will be relegated to the backup spots for good.
Right Tackle: Dalton Ferguson (So)
Ferguson is on the Cole Croston/Boone Myers plan as a walk-on who is trying to earn himself a scholarship. For now, he’s listed as Boettger’s backup at RT and he could be in play on the inside if need be. The biggest obstacle to playing time for him is that the Hawkeyes are doing a better job at recruiting OTs for the future than they had for a few years so his path to a starting job and scholarship might be a bit tougher than Croston and Myers faced. Don’t get me wrong Croston and Myers earned their starting spots and their scholarships but the Hawkeye OT recruiting, or lack thereof, opened up the opportunity for them to step forward.
The Future: Jacob Newborg (RS Fr), Levi Paulsen (RS Fr), Landon Paulsen (RS Fr), Alaric Jackson (Fr), Spencer Williams (Fr), Cole Banwart (Fr)
Newborg is a guy that could make a move at guard but it wouldn’t be the worst idea if he learned how to snap the ball too. He has the physicality to be a player and there is room to move on the depth chart. The Paulsen twins, Levi and Landon, are the same size 6’5 305 lbs. as each other, they both have beards and they were numbers 66 and 68 so there is zero chance I will ever be able to tell them apart. There is a chance they could both eventually end up lining up next to each other on one side of the line or they could flank James Daniels at center someday as the two starting guards. When I mentioned the Dalton Ferguson may find himself with a tougher road to the OT job because Iowa’s OT recruiting had picked up I was specifically thinking of incoming freshman Alaric Jackson (there are a couple of 2017 commits that might make it tough too). Unlike guys like Waechter and the Paulsen’s that could play OT or OG Jackson is built to be a tackle. At 6’7 he has length the Hawkeyes don’t normally find and while he still needs to physically mature he might be ready to play in a year. Spencer Williams and Cole Banwart are good, tough future interior lineman and could be molded into future starters.
Wide Receivers
Starters: Matt VandeBerg (Sr) Jerminic Smith (So) Riley McCarron (Sr)
VandeBerg is by far the most accomplished player at WR and he’s Beathard’s security blanket especially on third down. He led the team in catches last year and he’s poised to do it again unless someone really emerges as a major threat. The guy at the top of the list to breakout is Jerminic Smith who stepped in and started when Tevaun Smith was hurt last year and while he flashed major potential against Illinois the rest of his results were less than overwhelming. Smith has deep speed and he’s growing into the position but the Hawkeyes need him to grow up fast because he brings a dimension the offense sorely lacks, the deep ball. Riley McCarron is a former walk-on that should line up in the slot often and while he’s a reliable pass catcher he isn’t scaring anyone. VandeBerg is the only sure thing at the position so it could shake out in a number of different ways so you’ll hear a lot of different names mentioned as possibly making a contribution.
Backups: Jay Scheel (So) Adrian Falconer (So) Jonathan Parker (Jr)
If any of these three guys could become a playmaker it would go a long way in upgrading the Hawkeye offense. Scheel has spent most of his three years on campus fighting injuries but if he can get healthy enough to put his athleticism to use he might just be a reliable target Beathard needs. The updated two deeps released during Big Ten media day had Scheel listed as a co-starter with Jerminic Smith so that’s some good news. Falconer was the other true freshman WR (Jerminic Smith being the first) to get playing time last season. He didn’t see much time but the coaches are hoping what experience he did get will help him adjust quickly and maybe contribute this year. Jonathan Parker is the converted RB with speed to burn but he is only known for two things; 1. The worst kickoff return in history in Iowa’s bowl game against Tennessee and 2. Every time he’s in the game Iowa is running the jet sweep. It would be a huge help to the offense if they could find a way to take advantage of Parker’s elite speed without his presence in the game being a dead giveaway as to the play call. (Late update: Parker has a foot injury and will miss fall camp). There are two walk-on WRs that could contribute in Connor Keane (Jr) and Ronald Nash (So) and truthfully nothing would surprise me but there is quite a bit of competition.
The Future: Emmanuel Ogwo (RS Fr) Ryan Boyle (RS Fr) DeVonte Young (Fr)
Ogwo is a bit on the slim side but he’s got speed that could make him a playmaker. He redshirted last year to get a year of growth under his belt and hopefully it will pay off. The team doesn’t have a ton of speed at WR so he has a skill they need. Ryan Boyle was the talk of the spring game because at the end of spring practice he made the move to WR and tried it out during the game and made a couple of plays. The story is that he is too good of an athlete to waste as the 3rd or 4th string QB and he wants to contribute so they are giving him a shot at WR. I only sort of believe that but I think he could excel as WR and he brings nice size and strength to the position. He probably isn’t going to burn a lot teams deep on the outside but he could be a good power receiver and give Beathard another reliable pass catcher. He’s behind in development because he’s been a QB until this point in his life but I think he’ll pick it up fast and I think he’ll get playing time this year. DeVonte Young is the only incoming freshman WR and I think it’s very likely he redshirts unless he just blows the coaches away. There are not a lot of guys with real playing experience ahead of him but there are a lot of bodies to climb over. Maybe Young makes the leap but I’m not counting on seeing that this year. The 2017 recruiting class should be big for this position in the future.
Kicker
I don’t know much about kicking but I know we may need a good consistent one this year and there should be plenty of competition on hand. Miguel Recinos is listed as the starter and he has a powerful leg it’s just whether or not he can consistently put it through the uprights. The only scholarship kicker on the team at the moment is sophomore Mick Ellis, he competed for the job two years ago and then after losing the competition he redshirted last year. If he doesn’t win the job he may be looking for a new home at some point (backup kickers don’t normally get scholarships). There is some solid walk-on competition in freshmen Keith Duncan and Caleb Shudak and maybe redshirt freshman Josh Proehl. I say this only knowing that no one has a lock on the job and whoever walks out onto the field to kick Iowa’s first FG attempt of the season won’t shock me. It will shock me if someone other than Recinos handles Iowa’s first kickoff of the year, that’s a pretty solid bet, he’s got a big boot.
The Hott Read 