Before I get going let me just say I have been very critical of the OL group over the past 5 seasons or so as well as OL recruiting and development. I think this years group could be one of the better units that KF has had at Iowa. Now KF has had a lot of really good individual stud linemen in his time but he hasnt had a lot of just all-around great OL lineups that were solid to great all the way down the line from LT to RT. I think this years group though lacking star power will be one of the more solid groups from LT to RT and here is why.
LT- Cole Croston - Last season Cole wasnt your stud LT that Iowa typically has but he was all-around solid. A lot of coaches and writers credit him as an above average run-blocker and a solid pass-blocker that has some limitations. I see a lot of pre-season talk this year of him being 3rd team All-BIG. Cole is a perfect example of a not great but solid all-around LT.
LG- Boone Myers - Many Hawk fans see Myers and get headaches thinking about all the DE's that have blown by him. However Myers rates very well as a run blocker and his pass blocking limitations come from his foot work and athleticism that stems from indirect pass blocking on the edge. Now by moving to guard his limitations of foot work and athleticism can be hidden by a more direct blocking scheme. Also Boone's run blocking style is a perfect fit for the zone blocking scheme at OG. Because OG plays more to his strengths and hides more of his limitations I think he will become a very solid BIG guard.
C - Sean Welsh - Welsh quietly was Iowa's 2nd best linemen last year and it is showing this year as he is finding his name on a lot of preseaon All-BIG lists. This is his year to stand out. He was just solid in all aspects last season.
RG - James Daniels - Next to Myers I think he makes the biggest jump from last year. I can't remember an OL'men at Iowa that looked as polished as him as a TRFR. He had instincts last year that you don't usually see in TRFR linemen. He had some growing pains last season but they were pains that can be corrected after a full season. Many of his pains came from not having a full grasp on the blocking schemes otherwise his technique and skill were there.
RT- Ike Boettger - Honestly I don't know a lot about him because we didnt get a large sample size from him last year. I do remember he was improving each game and learning from his rookie mistakes. With his huge frame and the fact he was showing signs last season of growing at a steady pace I wouldnt be surprised by the end of the season if he rates out as an above avg RT.
Like I said this group lacks true stud/star power but all of these guys have the skill to rate out as above avg in the B1G and I think all of them could by the end of the season rate somewhere in the top 5 at their positions. Kirk hasn't had a lot of OL groups in his time that were solid straight through, typically we have had 1 or 2 true weak spots in the line and sometimes some guys are forced in too early in their careers. This balanced line will help Iowa spread the field more and keep good D's more honest. Because of the lack of star power on the line they will likely rarely get mentioned by the media but I think they will be a top 3 unit in the B1G and a top 25 overall unit nationally.
LT- Cole Croston - Last season Cole wasnt your stud LT that Iowa typically has but he was all-around solid. A lot of coaches and writers credit him as an above average run-blocker and a solid pass-blocker that has some limitations. I see a lot of pre-season talk this year of him being 3rd team All-BIG. Cole is a perfect example of a not great but solid all-around LT.
LG- Boone Myers - Many Hawk fans see Myers and get headaches thinking about all the DE's that have blown by him. However Myers rates very well as a run blocker and his pass blocking limitations come from his foot work and athleticism that stems from indirect pass blocking on the edge. Now by moving to guard his limitations of foot work and athleticism can be hidden by a more direct blocking scheme. Also Boone's run blocking style is a perfect fit for the zone blocking scheme at OG. Because OG plays more to his strengths and hides more of his limitations I think he will become a very solid BIG guard.
C - Sean Welsh - Welsh quietly was Iowa's 2nd best linemen last year and it is showing this year as he is finding his name on a lot of preseaon All-BIG lists. This is his year to stand out. He was just solid in all aspects last season.
RG - James Daniels - Next to Myers I think he makes the biggest jump from last year. I can't remember an OL'men at Iowa that looked as polished as him as a TRFR. He had instincts last year that you don't usually see in TRFR linemen. He had some growing pains last season but they were pains that can be corrected after a full season. Many of his pains came from not having a full grasp on the blocking schemes otherwise his technique and skill were there.
RT- Ike Boettger - Honestly I don't know a lot about him because we didnt get a large sample size from him last year. I do remember he was improving each game and learning from his rookie mistakes. With his huge frame and the fact he was showing signs last season of growing at a steady pace I wouldnt be surprised by the end of the season if he rates out as an above avg RT.
Like I said this group lacks true stud/star power but all of these guys have the skill to rate out as above avg in the B1G and I think all of them could by the end of the season rate somewhere in the top 5 at their positions. Kirk hasn't had a lot of OL groups in his time that were solid straight through, typically we have had 1 or 2 true weak spots in the line and sometimes some guys are forced in too early in their careers. This balanced line will help Iowa spread the field more and keep good D's more honest. Because of the lack of star power on the line they will likely rarely get mentioned by the media but I think they will be a top 3 unit in the B1G and a top 25 overall unit nationally.
