The Iowa Hawkeye football season is upon us and while there are still questions to be answered, there is reason for optimism with this team. Iowa is going to have their growing pains this season as this is a young group overall. That said, the offense looks stacked on both the offensive line and the skill position groups; RB, WR, and TE all look deep and talented. The QB question remains and may not be decided until Iowa has played a few games, and the bullets are flying for real.
The defense is mostly theoretical when it comes to the front seven, there’s not much proven talent there, but Phil Parker gets the benefit of the doubt. This defense may not be a top ten unit in college football this season but if the offense makes the strides I believe they can, the defense doesn’t need to be as dominant. The secondary should be really good with some experienced players like Zach Lutmer and DeShaun Lee, and a very talented group of underclassmen ready to step in.
College football seems to be in a constant state of change and one of those changes is the 5 years to play 5 rule, meaning there is no such thing as a redshirt anymore. Iowa has changed their roster, and they no longer list guys as freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, they list them as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and in Mike Myslinski’s case, 6th, meaning what year they are in. On this depth chart I’m going to use those markers (1-6) to denote the players year but my brain may not process that as I write about guys and in context, calling someone a redshirt freshman should tell you that they are a 2nd year player but didn’t play much if at all last season. It’s going to take time for everyone to get used to this and my suggestion would be for everyone to go to freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, and fifth-year as the common way to describe players. It would still give the illusion that these guys are students in some sense instead of referring to what year they are professionally in college. If you’re a college football fan or just an Iowa football fan, bear with me as we navigate the constant changes to the sport.
It’s time to talk Iowa football and take a look at this year’s team. Let’s Go Hawks.
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Starter: Jeremy Hecklinski (3) or Hank Brown (4)
Backup: Hecklinski or Brown or Jimmy Sullivan (2)
Depth: Ryan Fitzpatrick (2), Tradon Bessinger (1)
The coaches haven’t made a final decision on who the starter is going to be and even if when they name a starter for the first game against Northern Illinois, I highly doubt that’s the end of the competition. Hecklinski looked great at the open Kid’s Day practice, but it was only one practice and they have been neck-and-neck throughout camp. My head tells me Kirk would go with Hank Brown, but my gut says Tim Lester wants to give Hecklinski a chance against live competition. I think Hecklinski starts but even if he’s flawless against NIU, Brown will get to play in that game. Brown didn’t look good at the Kid’s Day practice but again, it was one practice on one particular day, they coaches aren’t going to give up on him that easily.
Jimmy Sullivan was the second-best looking QB on Kid’s Day and while that may have been because he was playing against backups on defense, he was also mostly playing with backups on his side too. I’m not sure Sullivan can actually push for the backup QB spot this season, there may just not be enough reps in practice for him to impress the coaches that much. He did look like he had a solid command of the offense that one day and if there is some catastrophe and he does have to play, I do think Lester could get a solid performance out of him.
Ryan Fitzpatrick is a good player and gives Iowa nice depth. Tradon Bessinger is the future of the position and he looks the part. He’s big, he’s athletic, and he has a cannon for an arm. Hopefully Iowa doesn’t need a fourth or fifth QB this season, however, there’s no redshirting issues to deal with so if Bessinger needs to play, they can play him. Between the two top guys, Sullivan and Bessinger, it seems like Iowa has solid options for this season and for years to come, now they just have to hold on to them.
Running Backs
Starters: Kamari Moulton (4), LJ Phillips Jr. (4)
Backups: Nathan McNeil (2), Xavier Williams (3)
Depth: Braeden Jackson (2), O’Lontae Dean (2), Brevin Doll (3)
Kamari Moulton will most likely get the start against NIU and the first carries of the game but I’m listing Phillips as the co-starter because he’s just that good. Ferentz is going to defer to Moulton because he’s earned that starting nod over the last two seasons, but Phillips is going to get plenty of carries. He’s a bowling ball rolling downhill in this offense and he won’t be stopped. He has more pop than Moulton does and that’s something this offense could use, some big plays from the running game. Phillps has speed but he also loves contact and isn’t going down easily. I would say this will be a fun duo but it’s not just a duo.
Nathan McNeil isn’t built like the other RBs at Iowa who mostly look like power backs, he’s more linear and looks like more of a slasher. His different running style is a nice changeup from Moulton or Phillips and McNeil is going to be used in this offense. Xavier Williams looked good early last year before he had an injury that hindered him a bit. He’s the definition of a power back given his size but if he’s fully healthy, he has more speed than a guy his size should really have. Iowa has four guys at RB they can comfortably start and at least three of them should get touches in any given game. Who that is will be determined by the matchups.
Braeden Jackson was a redshirt walk-on last season who really impressed the coaches and while Iowa doesn’t want to go five deep at RB, they could use him if they need too. Brevin Doll has actually been playing in practice so that’s a good sign, he’s finally not hurt. O’Lontae Dean is the definition of depth here, he’s not likely to play unless it’s on special teams.
Wide Receiver
Starters: Reece Vander Zee (3), Tony Diaz (3), Evan James (2)
Backups: Dayton Howard (4), KJ Parker (3), Jarriett Buie (3)
Depth: Brody Schaeffer (1), Xavier Stinson (1), Diondre Smith (1)
This is the one position on offense that Iowa has seriously upgraded over the last several years. The additions of transfers Tony Diaz and Evan James to complement a healthy Reece Vander Zee gives Iowa three dynamic playmakers at WR, that’s unheard of for the Hawkeyes. Vander Zee is the big, outside WR at 6’4 220 lbs., everybody wants to have. He’s still learning how to play the WR position and as he gets more experience he’s only going to get better. Diaz is the do-everything type that Tim Lester has been wanting for this offense. He’s a playmaker in every sense of the word and will give up his body to make a catch. He needs to pull back on the recklessness a bit in order to stay on the field. Evan James was fantastic at the open practice, and he’s got real speed you just can’t teach. He’s not a big guy, but his ability to separate is impressive. If Iowa gets good QB play, these three raise the level of Iowa’s offense considerably.
In any other year, Dayton Howard would likely be starting for the Hawkeyes. I really think he can be an excellent player. He has elite size at 6’5 215 lbs. and he has an incredible catch radius given his length. He’s only getting better as he refines his route running and understanding of the position. He’ll get snaps as they rotate guys at the position. KJ Parker has teased Iowa fans for years, being a guy who’s been talked about in practice but just hasn’t shown it in games. Maybe this is his year. Jarriett Buie was injured last year and is kind of the forgotten man, but he’s looked good during camp according to the coaches and he provides excellent depth.
The three true freshmen will wait their turn. Xavier Stinson has the size, speed, and athleticism Iowa doesn’t normally get at WR. Brody Schaeffer looked good in camp and may be ready to contribute early if needed. Diondre Smith is a smaller player who probably needs some time at Iowa to physically mature, luckily Iowa has the ability to give him that time.
Tight End
Starter: DJ Vonnahme (3)
Backups: Addison Ostrenga (5), Zach Ortworth (4)
Depth: Dylan Stecker (2), Michael Burt (3), Thomas Meyer (2), Mason Woods (2), Eli Johnson (2), Luke Brewer (1)
DJ Vonnahme emerged last season after Addison Ostrenga was lost for the season and Zach Ortworth got banged up too. He’s now the unquestioned starter and he’s shown so much growth he’s a top TE prospect for the NFL. He was a walk-on three years ago and wasn’t even a TE in high school, so he’s come a long way in a short period of time. He’s going to be featured in the passing game and that’s a good thing because he’s a matchup nightmare. Ostrenga is back and ready to contribute in his fifth year, he’s an all-around TE so he’ll be used plenty. Ortworth is going to have to fight off some emerging young talent. He’s a good player but not as dynamic as some of the up and comers.
One guy who seems to be emerging in camp is Dylan Stecker. He’s a walk-on who started out as a big WR but moved to TE this year and is showing his pass catching skills. Mason Woods is the other guy who is showing his pass catching skills and ability to be a weapon on offense. Thomas Meyer has impressed the coaches and will be more well-rounded than Stecker and Woods right now because he has the size to be a blocker. Michael Burt is another guy who has better size and could be a blocking TE for now too. Eli Johnson and freshman Luke Brewer are even more depth. Iowa has an embarrassment of riches at TE.
Offensive Line
Starters: LT Trevor Lauck (4), LG Leighton Jones (4), C Cael Winter (4), RG Kade Pieper (4), RT Jack Dotzler (5)
Backups: OT Cannon Leonard (4), OT Will Nolan (3), G/C Mike Myslinski (6), G/T Lucas Allgeyer (2), OG Trent Wilson
Depth: G/C Josh Janowski (3), OT Bodey McCaslin, G George Nahas (4)
Iowa’s offensive line lost three guys to the NFL draft and all three were multiple year starters. I’m not sure Iowa’s line can be better than last year’s Joe Moore Award winning line, but you can’t convince me they are going to be worse. LT Trevor Lauck emerged in the second half of the season last year as a force, he’s only going to get better. The team was ready to move Kade Pieper from RG, where he could be an All-American, to replace Logan Jones at center but Cael Winter has been excellent for them at center, so Pieper looks to be staying put. Leighton Jones played LG last year when Beau Stephens was hurt and no offense to Stephens, but no one noticed a drop off when Jones was in. Dotzler only lost the LT job last year because Lauck was so good and he filled in at RT for Gennings Dunker last season when Dunker got banged up. He may not be the mauling bear Dunker was, but Dotzler is a fifth-year player who has plenty of snaps under his belt and he should be fine at RT. If this line stays healthy, they have two potential All-Americans (Lauck and Pieper), one fifth-year guy (Dotzler) and fourth-year guy (Jones) who have playing experience. And they have a center who may be a walk-on, but he’s impressed the coaching staff enough that they aren’t moving Kade Pieper, a guy who will likely be a center in the NFL, to center. Pieper is on the pre-season watch list for the Rimington Award that goes to the nation’s top center and he’s not even going to be the center because Winter looks that good.
The backups are unproven, but they are mostly guys who have been in Iowa’s system for few years and have talent. OT Cannon Leonard is a giant man at 6’8 and it has taken him some time to add the weight and strength to his frame to hold up but he’s really filled out and the coaches like him. OT Will Nolan was a highly regarded recruit who had an injury that set him back but now he’s healthy and looks like he could play if needed. Mike Myslinski is in his sixth year and could be a center or guard whenever the Hawkeyes need him, he’s probably the top backup at all three interior positions. Lucas Allgeyer was true freshman last season who made the two-deeps early at RG, he fought for the starting job this year, and he may be in the competition for an OT job next year. Trent Wilson played at James Madison last year and is the only offensive line transfer the Hawkeyes took this year, he’s obviously a guy they like.
Josh Janowski is just coming back from winning his fight against cancer and everyone is pulling for him to become a contributor. He may have to wait a year to really compete for an interior spot but I’m not counting him out. Bodey McCaslin would likely be higher in the pecking order but Iowa has some real depth at OT behind the starters with Leonard, Nolan, and Allgeyer. He needs to just keep grinding to get his shot. I’m not sure George Nahas ever plays but right now, he’s Iowa’s 13th offensive lineman who isn’t a freshman. I didn’t list the true freshmen because Iowa shouldn’t need them this year, but Carson Nielsen, Colin Withers, Owen Linder, Hudson Parliament, and Gene Riordan make one hell of a group of freshmen offensive lineman. The position is in great shape moving forward.
The offense has superior depth at RB, TE, WR, and o-line, it all comes down to the QB. Tim Lester has spent three years putting this offensive scheme in with the Hawkeyes and he’s the one who wanted to roll with this QB competition and let the winner be the starter. He wants a guy who understands the system better than a one-year starter and I think that’s a wise decision. Hecklinski feels like the higher ceiling guy while Brown feels like the safe choice. Lester doesn’t strike me as the safe choice guy. I think he’ll live with Hecklinski making a few mistakes if it means opening up this offense. The explosive plays need to come in the passing game this year and Hecklinski is the guy more willing to take the shots. Either way, whoever ends up at QB, they can’t blame a bad offense on their supporting cast, this is the deepest and most talented group of skill position players Iowa has had in a long time. Add in an offensive line that shouldn’t miss a beat, and the Hawkeyes can be very good on offense.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
Starters: DE Kenneth Merriweather (4), DE Iose Epenesa (2), DT Bryce Hawthorne (4), DT Will Hubert (5)
Backups: DE Drew Campbell (3), DE Kahmari Brown (3), DT Devan Kennedy (3), DT Luke Gaffney (5)
Depth: DE Joseph Anderson (3), DE Chima Chineke (3), DT Brice Stevenson (4), DT Emmanuel Olagbaju (4), DT Brad Fitzgibbon (2), DL Lance Ingold (3), Maddux Borcherding-Johnson (4)
This is the biggest issue Iowa is going to have all season. While QB is the most important position, it feels like Iowa has two solid choices, the defensive line feels like a real mystery. Iose Epenesa has the bloodlines to be excellent but he’s still just a second-year player, becoming a starter for the first time. It is likely he will eventually be a good player, it’s uncertain that will be this season. Kenneth Merriweather has waited his turn at DE and hopefully has a breakout fourth year as a starter for the Hawkeyes. He’s quietly a leader for this front. Bryce Hawthorne has the most snaps of anyone returning on the line and he’s going to be counted on to be a force in the middle. Will Hubert is a fifth-year walk-on who has stuck it out and is going to get every opportunity to hold down a starting DT spot. If he can hold up, that would go a long way to helping the Iowa defense.
The interesting guy among the backup group is Drew Campbell. He missed last season with an injury but has started to emerge as a guy who can play inside and outside. He’s not big so he would be a smaller DT, but Iowa has used guys like him before on the interior. It would be huge if he can give them quality snaps both inside and out. Kahmari Brown is a transfer DE who comes in as an elite athlete who could really be a force off the edge. DT Devan Kennedy is a guy still growing into his DT body, but Iowa will need him on the interior this season. By all accounts, it looks like he’s ready to play and give the Hawkeyes some size inside. Luke Gaffney is another fifth-year walk-on who will need to contribute because of the lack of depth and experience the Hawkeyes have at DT.
Kirk Ferentz talked about using a heavier rotation this season of up to ten guys, defensive line coach Kelvin Bell seems to think more like eight. If two others are going to contribute my money would be on DE Joseph Anderson as a guy off he edge and transfer DT Brice Stevenson as a big body on the interior. It feels like Chineke, Olagbaju, Fitzgibbon, and Ingold need more time to adjust to the Big Ten and Borcherding-Johnson feels like he’s never going to get there. The freshmen aren’t going to be ready to contribute either, so I left them out.
Linebackers
Starters: MLB Cam Buffington (3), WLB Jayden Montgomery (5)
Backups: Nolan DeLong (4), Landyn Van Kekerix (5), Derek Weisskopf (3)
Depth: Preston Ries (3), Burke Gautcher (2), Carson Cooney (2)
Freshmen: Julian Manson, Billy Weivoda, Kasen Thomas
The Hawkeyes usually only start two LBs since they use their CASH spot which is basically a big nickel played by a defensive back. Cam Buffington is taking over the MLB spot and Jayden Montgomery is sliding over to the weakside. Montgomery played okay in the middle last year, and he’s a good leader, but he lacks the physical traits to be a standout. Buffington has all the measurables you want and is finally ready to step into his rightful place. Due to his size, he’s giving Jack Campbell vibes but that’s a lot to put on first-year starter. I think Buffington will be great but there will be growing pains. Montgomery will be in there for his leadership and understanding of the defense. He should ease the burden on Buffington to call everything perfectly. Montgomery may lose snaps though as Buffington gets more comfortable because there’s a boatload of talent at LB.
Seth Wallace has been coaching LBs at Iowa for a long time and he’s seen a lot of great talent, and he recently said this was the deepest group of LBs he’s ever had, he’s not lying. Nolan DeLong was a walk-on who just wouldn’t go away and now he looks like Buffington’s backup; he’s a good player. Landyn Van Kekerix has been a special team’s staple for several years now and in his fifth-year, he’s looking for some playing time. He could push Montgomery off the field. Derek Weisskopf is perhaps the guy who steps in at strongside LB when Iowa uses three LBs. Maybe it’s him, maybe it’s Van Kekerix, Iowa can’t go wrong with either.
Here’s where the depth really comes into play. Preston Ries was a highly thought of guy who has been banged up from time to time otherwise he might be pushing for a starter spot. He’s a good athlete who is going to make plays if he gets in the game. Burke Gautcher and Carson Cooney are two guys looking to make an impression on special teams so they can eventually get a shot to start. The problem for both Gautcher and Cooney is that Buffington, Weisskopf, and Ries are one year ahead of them and the incoming freshmen, one year behind them are really talented. Julian Manson, Billy Weivoda, and Kasen Thomas don’t look like guys who are going to wait their turn, they may be too good for that.
Defensive Backs
Starters: CB DeShaun Lee (5), CB Jaylen Watson (3), SS Tyler Brown (3), FS Zach Lutmer (4), CASH Jacob Wallace (2)
Backups: CB Rashad Godfrey Jr. (3), CB Darion Jones (1), SS Anthony Hawkins (3), FS/CASH Marcello Vitti (1)
Depth: DB Alex Mota (4), S Cody Haddad (2), S Ty Hudkins (3), S Xavier Styles (3), CB Ronnie Hill (1), S Kyler Gerardy (3)
The secondary may need to be the saving grace of the Hawkeye defense this year and if so, Phil Parker is set up well to do that. This group is deep, talented, and the variations Parker can use with his personnel feels unlimited. DeShaun Lee is a fifth-year CB who should have his best season. Jaylen Watson seems to have won the starting spot opposite him and it’s been a battle; there is depth behind him. SS Tyler Brown is nursing an injury and may not play in week one, but he shouldn’t be out too long so I’m still listing him as the starter. Once he’s healthy, he’ll be in there. He’s a transfer from James Madison and he’s been impressive when healthy. Zach Lutmer moves to free safety because Iowa has guys for the other spots and Lutmer can fill in any of the five defensive back roles. He’s the key to the defense and Parker will find ways to get him involved. Lutmer was the CASH last year, but Jacob Wallace is expected to be the CASH, Wallace can also play CB. They can mix and match guys as they see fit.
The backup CBs are Rashad Godfrey Jr., who pushed Watson for the starting spot, and he can also play CASH and Darion Jones. Jones is an incoming freshman who has risen up the depth chart quickly and he’s going to play this year. He’s one of the most talented freshman CBs Parker has had, and Parker doesn’t shy away from playing true freshman if they are ready. Fellow freshman Marcello Vitti is the backup at both FS and one of the guys who can play CASH. Between Lutmer, Wallace, Godfrey, and Vitti, Parker could put those four on the field and the offense wouldn’t know who’s doing what. S Anthony Hawkins has stepped up into the SS spot while Brown has been out, and he’ll likely start the first game. He’s a tall, rangy safety so he gives the Hawkeyes a different look at that position.
Iowa brought in transfer safeties Cody Haddad and Xavier Styles and both guys are developmental pieces they like. Ty Hudkins was a transfer last year who missed the whole season with an injury, and he’s there if needed. Alex Mota has never really found his spot, but he can help on special teams, as can walk-on Kyler Gerardy. Hopefully Iowa has enough QB depth that they don’t have to move Gerardy to QB as an emergency backup.
This defense is going to be a work in progress, but Phil Parker is one of the smartest defensive coordinators around and he teaches his guys the fundamentals. It isn’t the sexiest group up front, but they do have some depth and that gives them the chance to find a player where they weren’t expecting one, like Drew Campbell. The versatility in the secondary means they can disguise their defensive looks and move pieces around to confuse offenses, that’s always a good way to play. Buffington is going to be an upgrade at MLB over Jaden Harrell and Jayden Montgomery last year. Montgomery will start the year next to him, but I think the more talented guys will eventually supplant him. DeLong, Van Kekerix, Weisskopf, or Ries will be just too good to keep off the field.
Special Teams
Kickers: Eli Ozick (4) and Caden Buhr (2)
This competition may go into the season too if the open practice is any indication. Ozick was thought to be the leader but he had a rough day. Iowa may need to be willing to go for it on fourth down a little more this year if they can’t count on their kickers.
Punters: Tanner Philpott (3) and Boston Everitt (2)
Neither Punter looked particularly great but each had their moments. Philpott has actually played American football before so he probably has the edge but nothing is certain here.
The Hawkeyes start the year with three games they should win. Say what you will about the Iowa St. rivalry game but it’s at Kinnick this season and that team is in flux. A new coaching staff with a nearly complete turnover of their roster bodes well for the Hawkeyes. Then they start Big Ten play with a brutal stretch. At Michigan, Ohio St. comes to Kinnick, and then on the road at Washington for a Friday night game. All three will be tough games and Iowa need to win at least one of them. One of the more fascinating things about this schedule is that after starting with three home games, Iowa doesn’t have back-to-back home games the rest of the season. Rivalry games against Minnesota and Illinois are on the road but Wisconsin and Nebraska come to Kinnick. The schedule is manageable after the Michigan/Ohio St./Washington stretch. If they can get the QB thing and the defensive line thing figured out before the Michigan game, that would really help this team going into the Big Ten slate.
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