The 2022 Iowa Hawkeyes are going to be an interesting bunch. The offense is the great unknown. They were quite terrible last year and there isn’t a bunch of changes that make me confident they can be better. It’s been a tough training camp with injuries especially at WR and some key ones on the offensive line. The line will be young again but most of them got some experience last season, well, some of them did anyway. Kirk Ferentz’s overall offensive philosophy has always been conservative, don’t turn the ball over, don’t put your defense in a bad position and win close games. I think that philosophy is wrong when you have defense like this one. Take chances, who cares if you screw up, this defense will stop anyone, anytime, anywhere. The defense has a chance to be one of the best in the country, legitimately, top five in the nation.
Iowa released its two-deeps for the first game against South Dakota St. but those rarely reflect reality. I’m skipping a look at the official two-deeps for a look at a more realistic look at the roster. The offense is going to be a work in progress with a bunch of injuries keeping guys out and the offensive line is in flux. I love this defense. The offense might give me an ulcer. Welcome to being an Iowa Hawkeye football fan for 2022. Here’s a look at what might be this year for the Hawkeyes.
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Starter: Spencer Petras (SR)
Backup: Alex Padilla (JR)
When Kirk Ferentz talked about the QB job being an open competition what he really meant was someone was going to have to take the job from Petras and Padilla just hasn’t been able to do that. I had high hopes for Petras last year but I have much lower expectations this season, that said, I saw nothing out of Padilla that makes me think he’s a serious upgrade and clearly the coaching staff feels the same way. Joe Labas, the third-string redshirt freshman didn’t seem to make any headway either, he’s not really even in competition for the backup job. This offense isn’t going to be pass heavy with a QB that doesn’t inspire confidence and WR corps that looks like the walking dead.
Wide Receivers
Starters: Keagan Johnson (SO), Arland Bruce (SO), Nico Ragaini (SR) (when healthy)
Backups: Alec Wick (RS Fr), Brody Brecht (RS Fr), Jacob Bostick (FR)
This unit is in dire straits at the moment. Keagan Johnson has been out of action with an unknown ailment for quite some time and it’s a mystery if he’ll be a go in week one. He’s the most talented WR the Hawkeyes have and they need him badly. Nico Ragaini is the most experienced guy they have and he’s also out with an injury to start the year. He should be back but he’s going to miss several weeks. The team also lost Jackson Ritter to a season ending knee injury, he played as a walk-on last season. Diante Vines was reportedly having a good camp with all the guys out and was looking to finally make a move for playing time, then he got hurt (broken wrist), he could miss half the year. Brody Brecht is a talented redshirt freshman who has also missed almost all of camp with an injury after missing much of last year with an injury. He needs the practice and he just hasn’t had it at this point. I think that covers the major injuries. Let’s look at who’s left.
The most important WR is Arland Bruce IV. He’s a playmaker and those are in short supply with this unit. He’s going to be the focal point of the group until Johnson gets back. He can play inside or out and they are going to have to look for favorable matchups for him in space, he can be dynamic. Alec Wick is a walk-on redshirt freshman and he’s going to get plenty of snaps to start the year. He’s been steady and healthy, two things this team needs. Brody Brecht just returned to practice and the team is hoping he can pick things up quickly and give them some quality snaps as the big, outside receiver. Jacob Bostick is a true freshman they were probably hoping to redshirt but he and Bruce are the only scholarship WRs to be healthy throughout camp, he’s at least going to play the first few games until they get some guys back.
Running Back/Fullback
Starters: Gavin Williams (SO), Monte Pottebaum (SR)
Backups: Leshon Williams (SO), Kaleb Johnson (FR), Jaziun Patterson (FR), Turner Pallissard (SR)
The running game is going to take on an outsized importance especially early in the year when with so much uncertainty at the WR position. Gavin Williams started the bowl game last season and Leshon Williams played quite a bit too. They both looked good running hard and getting up field behind an improved offensive line. Gavin Williams has missed some time during training camp allowing Leshon Williams to step up and that also allowed Kaleb Johnson, a true freshman, to really show out. Johnson is a special talent and he will play this season. That’s three running backs who will get carries. Jaziun Patterson is another talented freshman who could also get some playing time. If all three guys ahead of him are healthy, his opportunities might be limited.
Monte Pottebaum is a very good fullback and in Iowa’s offense, that actually means something. He gives the Hawkeyes an excellent blocker, a guy who can get some carries, and a guy who can catch out of the backfield. He could even give them some reps at TE if they need him. Turner Pallissard is more than capable of playing fullback if they need to move Pottebaum around.
Tight End
Starters: Sam LaPorta (SR), Luke Lachey (SO)
Backups: Addison Ostrenga (FR), Steven Stilianos (JR)
Sam LaPorta has been a mainstay in this offense since his freshman year and he’s only getting better. His role will expand quite a bit with the problems at WR. LaPorta is going to be asked to split out wide a bit more and play the X receiver spot to make up for the WR deficiencies and that’s not a bad thing. He is more than capable of being a weapon outside and luckily some guys are stepping up at TE to allow LaPorta to move around. I’m listing Luke Lachey as a starter because there’s no way they are going to pass up two TE sets with LaPorta and Lachey in favor of using WRs when the WR group is so thin. Lachey is a massive breakout candidate and his development is a big reason they are comfortable moving LaPorta around. Lachey is a massive target over the middle and he can have big year.
Addison Ostrenga is a true freshman that seems to get praise every time people talk about him. It’s not unheard of for a freshman to play and it’s good to know the future of the TE position looks to be in good hands. Stilianos is a transfer from a smaller school who’s still getting up to speed on the offense but he’s an older player with good size and they can find a role for him.
Offensive Line
Starters: LT Mason Richman (SO), LG Tyler Elsbury (SO), C Logan Jones (SO), RG Gennings Dunker (RS Fr), Connor Colby (SO) (This is the group I would like to see get playing time together)
Backups: Jack Plumb (SR), Beau Stephens (RS Fr), Michael Myslinski (RS Fr), Nick DeJong (JR), Matt Fagan
Have you ever tried to nail Jell-O to a wall? That’s what it’s been like trying to piece together who’s starting where on this offensive line. Mason Richman was out for a bit during camp but he’s supposed to be back practicing and if he’s healthy, he’s the starting LT. His injury (and possibly some other players ailments) apparently led to Connor Colby moving from RG to RT in practice out of necessity. My guess is his talent could keep him at RT. Colby started as a true freshman at RG and he’s so talented. I think his move to tackle will stick. Logan Jones was a DT last year, now he’s the starting center. Iowa’s pulled off that transition before, let’s hope this one works out just as well. The guard positions are harder to decern. Tyler Elsbury has looked good and I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt. Gennings Dunker has emerged as a beast inside and that gives the coaches more confidence in leaving Colby outside with Dunker able to hold down the RG spot. Dunker isn’t listed on the official two-deeps at all and that seemed to come as news to Kirk Ferentz in his weekly press conference. Hence the reason I put little stock in what the two-deeps say.
Plumb is a senior who has started at both LT and RT and if Richman isn’t ready week one, Plumb gets the start at LT. Unfortunately for him, I think Colby will prove to be a better RT and that means if Richman is back, Plumb is the swing tackle. Nick DeJong is the other backup tackle who could also man a guard spot if needed. He struggled last year at RT and has fallen behind some younger guys at this point but he’s an experienced backup if needed. Beau Stephens and Michael Myslinski could very well end up starters at some point. Stephens could start instead of Elsbury at LG, I’m going with Elsbury out of gut instinct. Myslinski seems to have lost the starting center job to Jones but if Jones struggles, they could go with Myslinski at some point. I don’t think Jones will struggle that much but he is young and inexperienced (so is Myslinski for that matter). Matt Fagan is a senior walk-on who gives them some depth inside but he’s been passed up by a lot of younger guys so he’s really just a depth piece at this point. It would be nice if the Hawkeyes could find five guys, settle on them as starters, and have a consistent offensive line. This is one seriously young group with only Plumb, DeJong, and Fagan as upper classmen. These guys are really talented but it could be a development year up front.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
Starters: DE John Waggoner (SR), DT Noah Shannon (SR), Logan Lee (JR), Lukas Van Ness (SO)
Backups: DE Joe Evans (SR), DE Deontae Craig (SO), DE Ethan Hurkett (SO), DT Yahya Black (SO), DT Aaron Graves (FR)
This is the best and deepest position on the team. I’ve listed nine guys for four spots but there are legitimately four other guys who could see action but let’s look at the starters. John Waggoner is the rock at DE, he’s not flashy but he’s consistent and tough. I’m actually hoping for one of those breakout senior years we have seen from guys before. He’s been a solid starter, now maybe he gets a little bit more of the spotlight. However, that’s going to be hard to do with Lukas Van Ness at the other end. Van Ness tied for the team lead last year in sacks as a backup DT, now it looks like he could move to end full-time. Joe Evans (I’ll get to him in a minute) missed some action in camp and opened the door for Van Ness at end. This could be a Connor Colby type of situation; he moved out of necessity but stays because he’s just too good. Van Ness has a chance to not only be a breakout star for Iowa, he could be a national breakout star. Evans is listed as the starter officially but I just can’t see Van Ness being a backup DT (as he’s listed) with his potential.
The DT spot is in great hands too. Noah Shannon has been a steady player who is also ready to be more dominant inside. Logan Lee has also come on strong since he came back from an injury last year and is only getting better. These two have to be at their very best because Yahya Black is coming hard for his playing time after being a starter early last season. Black has the size that Shannon and Lee don’t really possess and you will see these three rotate plenty at tackle.
Joe Evans was supposed to finally be a starter at DE but he may have lost that spot due to no fault of his own. Iowa will rotate DEs and Evans will play plenty but Van Ness is too good to keep off the field. Ethan Hurkett has also looked good during camp and the coaches like Deontae Craig too. He was a backup last year when he was healthy. That’s five DEs, luckily Van Ness can play inside too (I don’t think he comes off the field that much). True freshmen rarely play on the defensive line but Aaron Graves is a rare true freshman. Kirk Ferentz has talked openly about Graves looking like he belongs so they are going to use him. He doesn’t have to be a superstar for this group right now, but he has future superstar written all over him. I mentioned there is even more depth. DT Louie Stec, DE Max Llewellyn, DT Jeremiah Pittman, and DE Chris Reames have all been mentioned at times as having good camps. By my count, that’s 13 defensive linemen that could conceivably get snaps, that’s insane depth.
Linebackers
Starters: MLB Jack Campbell (SR), WLB Seth Benson (SR), LEO Jestin Jacobs (JR), CASH Cooper DeJean (SO)S
Backups: Jay Higgins (JR), Kyler Fisher (JR), Karson Sharar (RS Fr)
This LB corps is being mentioned as one of the best ever at Iowa and that’s saying something. Jack Campbell is a preseason All-American, top pick for Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and that might be underselling how good he is. He’s big, he’s fast, he’s athletic, he’s a leader, and he sets the tone for this defense. He’s joined by his running mate Seth Benson, the most overlooked defender in the country. He’s Scottie Pippen to Campbell’s Michael Jordan. Benson is a stud and he doesn’t get the attention he deserves, except from opposing offenses, they know how good he is. Iowa instituted the CASH position a few years ago to help combat the spread offenses they were seeing and it’s been a big success, this year you will see less of it. It’s not because it’s not effective or they don’t have the talent to run it, it’s because Jestin Jacobs is too good to keep off the field. He’s a fast, super athletic LB who can do everything you want a LB to do, it’s an embarrassment of riches for Phil Parker’s defense. Cooper DeJean is one of the best athletes you’re going to see in college football this year. He’s ready to step into the CASH role when they use it but when he isn’t playing there, he’ll be a CB, a safety, a kick returner and if things get much worse at WR…don’t say I didn’t warn you (I’m kidding but maybe I shouldn’t be).
Jay Higgins and Kyler Fisher are guys who would start for a lot of teams in college football this season, the just have the unfortunate luck to play on a team that is absolutely stacked at LB. They will both be major players on special teams and when Campbell, Benson, and Jacobs need a breather, they will step in just fine. I mention Karson Sharar because he’s received a lot of praise as a young LB who looks poised to step in when it’s his turn. He probably won’t get a ton of snaps on defense this year, but remember his name.
Defensive Backs
Starters: CB Riley Moss (SR), CB Terry Roberts (SR), SS Kaevon Merriweather (SR), FS Quinn Schulte (JR)
Backups: CB Cooper DeJean (SO), CB TJ Hall (FR), CB Jermari Harris (JR), S Xavier Nwankpa (FR), S Sebastian Castro (JR), S Reggie Bracy (JR)
The Iowa defense is stacked and the secondary is no exception. Riley Moss was the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year last season and yet he returned for his fifth year. He’s a preseason All-American like his teammate Jack Campbell and he leads this unit. Terry Roberts will get the start in week one with Jermari Harris suspended for an offseason OWI but don’t expect Roberts to just hand the job back to Harris after that. Harris has also missed time in camp with an injury so it’s Roberts’ job until further notice. Kaevon Merriweather returns for his senior year as the strong safety, he’s a great athlete who has only gotten better over the years. FS Quinn Schulte is the former walk-on who Phil Parker turned into a starter on the back end of the defense. It’s a pretty typical Phil Parker success story, he finds underappreciated high school athletes, brings them in as defensive backs, and develops them into Big Ten starters. Schulte has earned this spot for sure; he’s holding off guys like Cooper DeJean, five-star true freshman Xavier Nwankpa, Reggie Bracy, and Sebastian Castro, all guys who could be starting safeties.
DeJean is listed as the backup at one CB spot, he could start there if he wasn’t starting at CASH. He could also potentially start at SS, FS, DE, QB, WR, FB…wherever they need him, just keep him on the field. Jermari Harris would likely have been the starting CB opposite Moss but he had an OWI in the offseason, he got hurt in camp, and he has to make his way back up the depth chart. He can do it, but it won’t be handed to him. True freshman TJ Hall came in at semester last year and competed during spring practice. He’s a talented youngster the coaches are pretty high on. He’s a backup while Harris is suspended but he could get snaps even when he gets back. Sebastian Castro and Reggie Bracy have put in the time and are still waiting patiently for their opportunity. They are really solid backup options at safety. Xavier Nwankpa is as talented a freshman as Iowa has ever had, he’ll get some playing time but they may still be figuring out is best position. Is it SS, FS, CASH, or otherwise? He can play all over.
Special Teams
Kicker: Drew Stevens (TR Fr) and Aaron Blom (SO) have been battling it out since the spring. They both have gotten better since then and they both could have a role early.
Punter: Tory Taylor is one of the best punters in the country. He also happens to be a good-looking dude with an Australian accent. All I’m saying is it’s Tory Taylor’s world and we are all just living in it.
Returners: This is a bit of a mystery after Charlie Jones transferred to Purdue. Cooper DeJean is up for the job; Riley Moss might be the guy. They would probably give Arland Bruce IV a shot but they can’t risk him with the rest of the WRs so banged up. DeJean and Moss are the leaders but just for fun some other names to consider; WR Alec Wick, WR Kaden Wetjen, RB Leshon Williams, RB Jaziun Patterson, RB Deavin Hilson, DB Xavier Nwankpa, CB Terry Roberts, CB AJ Lawson or who knows, maybe someone else.
The Hott Read 