The Hawkeyes start their season next weekend against Indiana, getting an early start on the Big Ten season. It doesn’t get any easier as they take on highly ranked Iowa State in week two. The Hawkeyes are ranked in the top 20 going into the season and that’s generally not a bad place for them to be. When expectations are too high, the Hawkeyes sometimes falter and fail to live up to them. They did finish last season strong and they return a lot of key players and that’s a great place to start. There hasn’t been a lot of movement in the two-deeps since the spring but there are a few notable changes.
Iowa’s offense looked good in their open practice during fall camp and that’s good because usually the offense is behind the defense at that point. Iowa will run the ball well, no surprise there. It’s the passing of Spencer Petras that will make the difference between a good year and a great year. On defense, it’s all up to how the defensive line performs. The back seven for the Hawkeyes is absolutely stacked with playmakers, can the line hold up its end?
Quarterback
Starter: Spencer Petras (Jr)
Backup: Alex Padilla (Soph)
The Hawkeyes will go as far as Spencer Petras can take them. The running game is in good hands with a strong offensive line and a great RB but the passing game has to step up. With some guys moving up at WR and some fresh faces it’s up to Petras to run the offense and get the ball to his playmakers. He has a cannon for an arm but he needs to reign in his power. Petras spent some of the off season working with a QB coach to refine his mechanics and hopefully give him a better feel for the touch throws. His mid-range accuracy has more to do with his tendency to throw everything like a mid-90s fastball. He needs to take a little off and let the receivers catch it. He also needs to work on his deep ball because he has to take the top off the defense to back teams off the line so they can’t stack up against Iowa’s running game. The open practice seemed to point to Petras having worked on just these things and he definitely has command of the offense.
Padilla has solidified his spot as the backup. He doesn’t seem like a threat to Petras after what we saw in the open practice but that doesn’t mean he isn’t a capable player. Padilla just looks a little behind Petras as far as his command of the offense goes. He is also clearly ahead of Deuce Hogan and Joey Labas as the backup. The two young guys are talented but they simply don’t have the time in the offense to run it like Petras or Padilla.
Running Back/Fullback
Starters: Tyler Goodson (Jr) Monte Pottebaum (Jr)
Backups: Ivory Kelly-Martin (Sr) Turner Pallissard (Jr)
In the spring I was quite concerned about Tyler Goodson staying healthy as Iowa didn’t look like they had a lot of depth, now, I just want Goodson to stay healthy because he’s so good. He was First-Team All-Big Ten last year and that should be the least of his accolades this year. He’s a fantastic talent, he should get the bulk of the carries, he’s a terrific fit in the offense and he plays behind what should be a very good offensive line. I fully expect a Shonn Greene like season from Goodson and he’ll be on the short list for the Doak Walker Award. Monte Pottebaum is the starting fullback and he will continue the tradition of Iowa having a tough, hard-nosed lead blocker that no one wants to tangle with. Pottebaum may even get a few plays himself, he has a solid skill set.
I was worried in the spring about Iowa’s RB depth because Ivory Kelly-Martin tore his ACL in December and there was no one with experience to back up Goodson. Well, Kelly-Martin has made a remarkable recovery and looks good in fall camp and is ready to go to start the year. He’s been around for quite some time so he knows the offense and if he’s healthy he’s a very talented RB. It also helps that both Gavin Williams and Leshon Williams look good too. Iowa almost always uses multiple RBs so at least one of the Williams will get some snaps and I would guess both will at some point. The Hawkeyes seem to be in good shape at RB. Turner Pallissard is also a solid backup fullback.
Wide Receivers
Starters: Tyrone Tracy Jr. (Jr) Nico Ragaini (Jr)
Backups: Keegan Johnson (Fr) Charlie Jones (Sr)
Tyrone Tracy Jr has spent the last few years learning each WR position so he could sub in everywhere but now it’s his turn to take the top spot. He’s a playmaker through and through and he should quicky become Petras’ favorite target out wide. He can get deep on the outside, he can come across the middle, he can beat you in the screen game, there isn’t anywhere that he can’t get it done, he’s in for a huge year. Ragaini was a starter last year as the slot receiver and he’ll do most of his work from there again. He’s a security blanket for Petras as he works the middle of the field and gets open inside. He’s sure-handed and while beating anyone deep isn’t really his game, he will make the tough play.
True freshman Keegan Johnson is a special talent. Kirk Ferentz and the Iowa coaching staff have rarely ever seen a true freshman step up at a skill position and make the two-deeps going into the season. Johnson enrolled early, practiced during the spring, and has proven simply too good to keep off the field. He gives Iowa a nice outside receiver to pair with Tracy so Ragaini can play the slot. He has the size, speed and wide receiver skill to be a special player and we will see that this season. Charlie Jones transferred to Iowa a couple of years ago and so far, he’s made his name as a punt returner, an excellent punt returner actually. This year he hopes to get some real playing time as a WR and he has speed and elusiveness that any team can use.
Senior Max Cooper returns to try to finally stay healthy and contribute, whether that’s at WR or on special teams. The other true freshman WR who can get some playing time is Arland Bruce IV, who also enrolled early for the spring. Bruce is more of a gadget guy for now but he can work his way up the WR depth chart. Diante Vines, Desmond Hutson and Quavon Matthews will all try to make their way on to the field. Jackson Ritter is a walk-on who might play and it is unlikely true freshman Brody Brecht plays unless there are a number of injuries.
Tight Ends
Starter: Sam LaPorta (Jr)
Backups: Luke Lachey (RS Fr) Josiah Miamen (Soph)
Sam LaPorta had a bit of a breakout season last year but I expect him to really show out this year. With a more consistent QB and a balanced passing attack, LaPorta can have a huge year. He has all the talent necessary to be Iowa’s next great TE. With a great running game, some very good WRs and even some extra help at TE, things should open up for LaPorta. Now Petras just has to learn not to throw it 95 mph when LaPorta is only seven yards away.
Luke Lachey certainly looks the part of a superior TE physically. He’s 6’6 250ish lbs. and quite athletic. He is still raw from a technique standpoint and he hasn’t played against college competition but he has the physical skills to be quite good. Josiah Miamen had a rocky time this last year with some off-the-field troubles but he seems to have gotten back in good graces of the coaches and looks like a nice TE prospect in camp. He isn’t going to let Lachey just have the backup job, he’s going to make him earn it. Miamen a good athlete who can be a solid pass catching TE. Elijah Yelverton is the fourth guy trying to prove he can help at the position too. The rest of the roster is made up of walk-ons who are trying to show they can play.
Offensive Line
Starters: LT Jack Plumb (Jr), LG Cody Ince (Jr), C Tyler Linderbaum (Jr), RG Justin Britt (Soph), RT Nick DeJong (Soph)
Backups: LT Mason Richman (RS Fr), LG Tyler Elsbury (RS Fr), C Matt Fagan (Jr), RG Josh Volk (RS Fr), RT Connor Colby (Fr)
Tyler Linderbaum is the star of this unit. He is a pre-season All-American and likely high round NFL draft pick. He’s one of the most talented offensive linemen in college football and Iowa is lucky to have him. Kyler Schott was supposed to be the other certain starter and the only senior starter but he injured his ankle in a hay bale accident (as only an Iowa lineman might do) so he’s out to start the season. Cody Ince starts at LG after playing a few positions last season and being listed as a RT at one point. He’s best suited inside and should be good next to Linderbaum. Justin Britt is listed as the starting RG with Schott out and if he’s healthy to start the year and playing his best, Schott might find it hard to get his job back. Nick DeJong has won the RT job, he’s a former walk-on who earned a scholarship and now a starting job, another good Iowa story. Jack Plumb has been listed as the starting LT since spring practice and while it looks like he’s holding onto the job for now, he has competition in the form of Mason Richman. Richman is an athletic redshirt freshman the coaches seem to love and they are looking to get him on the field.
Richman is the backup LT unless he can unseat Plumb or if he’s needed elsewhere. He’s worked at guard too so he could play almost anywhere if needed. He’s really the sixth lineman for now if they need a guard or tackle. Tyler Elsbury and Josh Volk are redshirt freshmen backups inside at guard. Once Schott returns the inside should be fortified with Ince, Britt and Schott rotating at OG so Elsbury and Volk probably don’t play much. True freshman Connor Colby has earned the backup RT spot and that’s quite impressive for a true freshman. Richman is likely the third tackle if one is needed but Colby is a talented player. Matt Fagan is listed as Linderbaum’s backup at center but if he goes down, I would suspect one of the guards, Schott or Britt perhaps, would step in. Fagan is an undersized walk-on and Iowa usually goes with the best five if they can.
Defensive Line
Starters: DE Zach VanValkenburg (Sr), DE John Waggoner (Jr), DT Yahya Black (RS Fr), DT Noah Shannon (Jr)
Backups: DE Deontae Craig (RS Fr), DE Joe Evans (RS Fr), DT Lukas Van Ness (RS Fr), DT Logan Lee (Soph)
This is the critical group for the Iowa defense. Everything starts up front and this group doesn’t have much experience. VanValkenburg is a sixth-year senior but even he only started last season. He did a very nice job and it’s good for the Hawkeyes he’s back but he’s a strong, steady presence, not a spectacular one. John Waggoner is a fourth-year junior who is finally getting his chance to live up to his four-star billing from his high school days. He needs to bring pressure off the edge and be a playmaker for the Hawkeyes. No one expects him to be AJ Epenesa or Adrian Clayborn but it would be nice if he can get to the QB a bit. Joe Evans has been a designated pass rusher the last two years but he’s added good weight and now the coaches feel he can be a full-time DE. He can get to the QB. Deontae Craig is the youngest guy and he offers a lot of potential as a pass rusher. Redshirt freshman Ethan Hurkett, sophomore Chris Reames and true freshman Max Llewellyn can’t be counted out given the lack of experience at the position.
The DT spot has even less experience. Noah Shannon has the most and he was a part-time rotational player last season, that’s it. He needs to step up, especially against the run. Yahya Black is a big man who brings the size Shannon lacks to the middle. He’s only a redshirt freshman so it’s a bit of a projection to think he’s going to make his mark but he’s an athletic dude for a guy that goes 6’5 290 lbs. The Hawkeyes need him to live up to his potential or they could be in trouble up front. Black and Shannon have missed some practice time which has meant Lukas Van Ness and Logan Lee have gotten plenty of reps. That’s good because Van Ness is also a redshirt freshman like Black and Lee is a sophomore who only played in two games last season. This team is going to need some depth at DT and walk-on Louie Stec, redshirt freshmen Isaiah Bruce and Logan Jones could all earn time. Jones would likely be in the two-deeps but he’s recovering from a knee injury, he’s expected back during the season. Again, given the lack of overall experience you can’t even discount true freshman like Jeremiah Pittman or Jeff Bowie from playing if they can prove useful.
Linebackers
Starters: MLB Jack Campbell (Jr), WLB Seth Benson (Jr), LEO Jestin Jacobs (Soph)
Backups: Jay Higgins (Soph), Kyler Fisher (Soph), Mike Timm (Jr), Logan Klemp (Jr)
The big switch here is Jack Campbell is now listed as the MLB and Seth Benson is the WLB, it was the other way after the spring but this lineup makes perfect sense. Campbell is about to break out as the star LB of the Hawkeyes. He’s a freakishly sized LB at 6’5 243 lbs. and is extremely athletic for a LB that big. Benson played MLB last year when Campbell was hurt and now, he moves to the weakside and he should be good. The really interesting thing here is that Iowa wants to play Dane Belton at the Cash position (more on him later) but Jestin Jacobs might be too good at LB to not play. It looks like Iowa will rotate Jacobs in for Benson at times when they only play two LBs just to get him on the field. Jacobs is a great athlete that just hasn’t been unleashed yet. Iowa’s starting LBs should be impressive.
Given the fact that Iowa will only play two LBs some of the time and they already have three they can rotate, the backups probably won’t get much playing time. Jay Higgins is likely the fourth LB and with the ability to rotate the first three around and with the Cash position they probably don’t play more than the top four LBs barring injury. Fisher, Timm and Klemp contribute on special teams but for now, their use at LB will be limited.
Defensive Backs
Starters: CB Matt Hankins (Sr), CB Riley Moss (Sr), S Kaevon Merriweather (Jr), S Jack Koerner (Sr), CASH Dane Belton (Jr)
Backups: CB Terry Roberts (Jr), CB Jermari Harris (Soph), S Sebastian Castro (Soph), S Quinn Schulte (Soph)
Matt Hankins gave the Hawkeyes a nice present by coming back for his fifth season and now he just needs to become the playmaker they wanted him to be. He’s always been solid but he needs to take another step to be really good. Riley Moss really stepped-up last season and made some plays for the defense. He’s a good CB with size and intelligence and he never backs down. He also has a short memory, if he makes a bad play, he doesn’t let it affect his next play. Great trait for a CB. Kaevon Merriweather had a good year after he moved to the strong safety spot and let his athleticism shine. Koerner is the heady player in the middle, calling out the secondary defense and putting guys where they need to be. He makes plays, he tackles well and he’s rarely caught out of position. Dane Belton is the Cash. It’s the nickel back/linebacker hybrid invented for Amani Hooker a few years ago and Belton is looking to perfect it. He can run, he can hit, he can cover and that makes him Phil Parker’s chess piece to move around. When the Hawks face a team where they need three LBs, or in the case of this year they just want to play three, Belton takes over at the SS spot.
The backups are led by special team’s ace Terry Roberts. Roberts would be the starter if Hankins hadn’t returned but for now, he’s just a very good third CB. We haven’t seen much of Jermari Harris and we probably won’t unless there’s an injury or two. With Belton able to cover the slot or a TE the team uses him in nickel so extra CBs are a luxury, not a necessity. Sebastian Castro is the backup SS behind Merriweather and he’s also Belton’s backup at the Cash. Generally, if the team isn’t using Belton at that position, it’s because they are playing three LBs but if Belton were injured and someone has to step in, it would be Castro. Quinn Schulte is another in a long line of walk-on safeties for the Hawkeyes. He will have some young competition coming for his spot but for now, he’s the backup to Koerner.
The depth starts with UNI transfer Xavior Williams who came to Iowa to raise his profile and found a stacked secondary that’s hard to crack. He could play corner, he could be a safety, and theoretically he could even be the Cash. For now, he’s a senior looking for some snaps, somewhere. Dallas Craddieth was a highly regarded recruit who can’t seem to get anywhere on the safety depth chart and gets passed up by younger guys. Speaking of younger guys, sophomore Reggie Bracy is fighting to get playing time too. Also, true freshman, athletic phenom Cooper DeJean has arrived and everyone should pay attention to him moving forward. At CB, it’s redshirt freshmen AJ Lawson and Branden Deasfernandes waiting in the wings, Hankins and Moss are seniors so their turn is coming but probably not this year.
Special Teams
Punter: Tory Taylor: He could win the Ray Guy award as the best punter in the country, nice to have him aboard.
Kicker: Caleb Shudak: He returns for his sixth season and finally gets to be the place kicker. He’s been the kickoff guy because he has elite leg strength, now he just has to prove he has the accuracy.
Punt Returner: Charlie Jones: He’s elite. He’s a weapon as punt returner. He should scare the crap out of every team punting to him.
Kick Returner: Jones is listed as the guy but I’m not buying it. I think someone else steps in. Maybe Arland Bruce IV, Keegan Johnson, Max Cooper, or one of the Williams (Gavin or Leshon). Perhaps it’s Tyrone Tracy Jr, Iowa isn’t against using a starting WR (Ihmir Smith-Marsette did it for years) or maybe it’s Cooper DeJean (hey, I can dream can’t I? Get the kid on the field).
The Hott Read 