2018 OL 'Shakedown'

[Muskie5]

The OL for next year is the biggest key to our success outside of how the new LB's perform. Outside of Daniels (Julian Vandervelde says he got hosed for all-conference) there really isn't anyone I see as a 'Star' next year, but I think we have some of the best depth we've had in a while. All these people have started or played meaningful minutes; Jackson has started, Render has started, Reynolds has started, Daniels has started, Paulson has started, LeGrand has started, Wirfs has started, and Ferguson played a lot of meaningful minutes and has been listed 2nd string at both the RG and RT at one time or another. That makes for some great competition and I think there will be if LeGrand and Ferguson get back to 100%. Ferguson was listed 2nd team behind Welsh when he got hurt and LeGrand was listed 2nd team behind Boettger when he got hurt. Then we have highly regarded Kallenberger and we're hearing great things about Banwart. I think the OL will be fluid until about 2 wks. before the first game next year, but here is how I see the depth chart reading come next fall knowing how KF fills out the depth chart for the OL (he plays the best 5 and the next man in isn't always from the position he's listed at, but he organizes them by their 'best' position):

LT- Jackson/Kallenberger
LG- Render/Reynolds
C- Daniels/Banwart
RG- Ferguson/Paulson
RT- Wirfs/LeGrand

Now, some of you are probably going, "Ferguson starting at RG? He's nuts!" But, hear me out. Ferguson was ahead of both Reynolds and Paulson before he got hurt and I believe if he gets healthy, he will get the nod. Even if I'm wrong, I think we put 2 pretty solid guards on the field with a VERY experienced center and 2 promising (but still young) tackles who had to learn on the fly this year. They showed flashes this year of their potential when they actually understood what they were doing, especially in run blocking. Render, Reynolds, Daniels, Ferguson, and LeGrand are all Seniors next year so there is a LOT of program experience to call on. I think Kallenberger and LeGrand are competent back-ups at OT, but we need to keep Jackson and Wirfs healthy. We have the depth to handle an injury inside, imo. I'm going to copy and save this to see how close I am come fall.

 

[Muskie5]

Since KF always puts his best 5 linemen on the field, and the fact that we will have holes at OG I believe Wirfs may bump inside in 2019 if Kallenberger develops like I think he will. They've done it before so it wouldn't be unprecedented.
2019
LT - Jackson/Kirkpatrick
LG- Wirfs/La. Paulson
C- Banwart/Spencer
RG- Le. Paulson/Jenkins
RT- Kallenberger/Ince

That's pretty much all we have for 2019 (besides Schott [walkon]. Plumb [project] and the incoming freshmen) so you can see why there might be a necessity to move Wirfs inside. Are you going to leave Kallenberger on the bench and move Spencer to guard? If Kallenberger gets as good as I think he will, that shapes up as a pretty damn good line. They're saying Banwart is going to be a stud at center, Jackson and Wirfs will be JRs and should absolutely dominate the left side of the line and Paulson will be a SR and should be pretty salty by then lining up along side 'killer Kallenberger'.

 

[megahawk]

I know this is off topic, but did Kallenberger's brother redshirt this year. He was a DL JUCO transfer.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

Good write up Muskie. I would say don't sleep on A Jackson being a star next year. I think Brian is going to tweak the lineplay a little bit with more gap scheme and A Jackson is a BADDDDD MAN 1 on 1.

 

[Muskie5]

I know this is off topic, but did Kallenberger's brother redshirt this year. He was a DL JUCO transfer.

That's a good question. Anyone know???

 

[dbrocket]

I'm honestly (slightly) worried about OG the next two years. I haven't been impressed with Render or Reynolds this year and the Paulsons haven't beat them out. It'll be interesting to see if LeGrand and/or Ferguson can make a move on the guard spots.

I also don't think Wirfs moves inside. He's just too much of an athletic freak, too natural at tackle, and Kallenberger might take 2 years to be ready. I think he came in at 260? So, he'd have to add 30+ lbs, then get used to the weight, in my mind. But, you know, we'll see.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

If they can somehow get Kallenburger ready to play can you imagine having both tackles and a guard play together for 3 years straight? All good things fellas. Not to mention that would be perfect for letting Plump build into an awesome LT.

 

[DogBoyRy]

Since KF always puts his best 5 linemen on the field, and the fact that we will have holes at OG I believe Wirfs may bump inside in 2019 if Kallenberger develops like I think he will. They've done it before so it wouldn't be unprecedented.
2019
LT - Jackson/Kirkpatrick
LG- Wirfs/La. Paulson
C- Banwart/Spencer
RG- Le. Paulson/Jenkins
RT- Kallenberger/Ince

That's pretty much all we have for 2019 (besides Schott [walkon]. Plumb [project] and the incoming freshmen) so you can see why there might be a necessity to move Wirfs inside. Are you going to leave Kallenberger on the bench and move Spencer to guard? If Kallenberger gets as good as I think he will, that shapes up as a pretty damn good line. They're saying Banwart is going to be a stud at center, Jackson and Wirfs will be JRs and should absolutely dominate the left side of the line and Paulson will be a SR and should be pretty salty by then lining up along side 'killer Kallenberger'.

I see wirfs moving inside but i’m hearing kallenburg is not close to contributing.
At least a year away.

 

[SLarew]

That's a good question. Anyone know???

He didn’t play in 2017. Whether that will be considered a redshirt or not depends on if he earns playing time
Several walkons didn’t play and some of them will leave team rather than continue. Happens every year

 

[StallmanCurse]

Muskie was referring to Kallenberger starting in 2019, not 2018, so that falls in line with him not being ready next year. That said, I think there's more examples of Iowa starting a T out at G and moving him out later, rather than moving an experienced T to G and bringing in a new guy at T. Who knows, it's a quite a ways out.

Re: 2018, I think Ferguson ends up being next man in at G or T. I expect him to split reps at G/T in practice, allowing Reynolds to receive greater first team G reps. I wonder if they'll continue to rotate one of the G spots. If Banwart is taking over at C, I wonder if Williams or a Paulsen rotates in a G a bit to build some experience for 2019.

 

[DogBoyRy]

Muskie was referring to Kallenberger starting in 2019, not 2018, so that falls in line with him not being ready next year. That said, I think there's more examples of Iowa starting a T out at G and moving him out later, rather than moving an experienced T to G and bringing in a new guy at T. Who knows, it's a quite a ways out.

Re: 2018, I think Ferguson ends up being next man in at G or T. I expect him to split reps at G/T in practice, allowing Reynolds to receive greater first team G reps. I wonder if they'll continue to rotate one of the G spots. If Banwart is taking over at C, I wonder if Williams or a Paulsen rotates in a G a bit to build some experience for 2019.

2019 also a stretch for kburger helping.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

2019 also a stretch for kburger helping.

Are you speculating here or do you have some info?

 

[Muskie5]

2019 also a stretch for kburger helping.

Wirfs starts as a true freshman, but you don't think 4* Kallenberger won't be able to help his RSsoph year? That's some interesting (and failed) logic. Do you have some information or insight we're not aware of?

 

[DogBoyRy]

Wirfs starts as a true freshman, but you don't think 4* Kallenberger won't be able to help his RSsoph year? That's some interesting (and failed) logic. Do you have some information or insight we're not aware of?

Dline players dad.
That work?

 

[Muskie5]

Dline players dad.
That work?

We're not talking about Kallenberger the Dlineman, we're talking about his brother the Olineman.

 

[dbrocket]

I think he means the OL Kallenberger. DL tend to know who the good OL are. I guess I could see him playing as a RS SO, but it may take 2 years to add the weight and another to carry it well. So, just don't be surprised if he's not really ready until RS JR.

But, mostly I don't think Wirfs moves inside because I think he and Jackson become all-B1G tackles over the next 2 years. I won't be surprised if they're 2nd team or honorable mention next season. I think they're THAT talented, and it's clear they're picking things up quickly.

 

[DogBoyRy]

We're not talking about Kallenberger the Dlineman, we're talking about his brother the Olineman.

Got it, that's who I was writing about. . The dline practices against the oline - right?

 

[StallmanCurse]

I think he means the OL Kallenberger. DL tend to know who the good OL are.

That's how I read it, as well. A DL's dad, not Kallenberger's dad.

Still, I don't think it's unreasonable to suggest Kallenberger to contribute in 2019. Puts on weight this year, refines technique next year, possibly ready to go in 2019 (Maybe not start, but contribute). All depends on him learning the technique, which is a crapshoot to predict.

 

[Muskie5]

Got it, that's who I was writing about. . The dline practices against the oline - right?

Just wanted to make sure we were on the same page. I'm hearing from Kulick that he's going to be a beast on the Oline and your son says he is not. Any particulars?

 

[DogBoyRy]

Just wanted to make sure we were on the same page. I'm hearing from Kulick that he's going to be a beast on the Oline and your son says he is not. Any particulars?

Not my son. Friends son who is on the dline.

 

[dbrocket]

I just want everyone to remember that Andrew Donnal was a 4* OT and Brandon Scherff was a 3* guy. Sometimes, the recruiting rankings miss the obvious - especially at OL. Scherff was an athletic freak from day 1, special. Donnal was very good, but not great. We won't know for 2-3 years, but I can see the Wirfs/Kallenberger thing looking like that.

 

[m.stoops2013]

Said it b4, a. Jackson will be a day 1 nfl pick when its all done.

 

[bigfridaynite]

I just want everyone to remember that Andrew Donnal was a 4* OT and Brandon Scherff was a 3* guy. Sometimes, the recruiting rankings miss the obvious - especially at OL. Scherff was an athletic freak from day 1, special. Donnal was very good, but not great. We won't know for 2-3 years, but I can see the Wirfs/Kallenberger thing looking like that.

I just came to this thread to post this anyway Jackson and Wirfs will probably be NFL gaurds but will stay at Tackles because of their talent at Iowa.

 

[Muskie5]

I just want everyone to remember that Andrew Donnal was a 4* OT and Brandon Scherff was a 3* guy. Sometimes, the recruiting rankings miss the obvious - especially at OL. Scherff was an athletic freak from day 1, special. Donnal was very good, but not great. We won't know for 2-3 years, but I can see the Wirfs/Kallenberger thing looking like that.

True about the rankings, and people forget that Donnal played RG most of the time his junior year and Scherff started off at LG his RSFreshman year. There are many more examples of Oline moving around to get the best 5 on the field (which is their philosophy) including just recently with Myers and Croston. I'm just making my prediction, because I think Kallenberger fits the Iowa 'profile' of a RT and I think Wirfs projects more as a guard in the NFL.

 

[dbrocket]

I think he projects as an elite college tackle. Not sure where he ends up in the NFL. It'll be great if Kallenberger is also at that level, but I'd have to see something, at the college level, as I have with Jackson and Wirfs. Eithet way, I think Wirfs plays well enough that we'd have to be totally desperate at guard to move him inside.

 

[Muskie5]

I think he projects as an elite college tackle. Not sure where he ends up in the NFL. It'll be great if Kallenberger is also at that level, but I'd have to see something, at the college level, as I have with Jackson and Wirfs. Eithet way, I think Wirfs plays well enough that we'd have to be totally desperate at guard to move him inside.

Who's going to start at LG in 2019? Landan Paulson? I'm not sure why your so sold on Wirfs. Because they had to start him out of necessity? He hasn't done anything yet to impress me as he struggled most of the time he started, but his 'body' was more ready than the other Freshmen. I hope Wirfs is an all-american, I just think is is better suited for guard and Kallenberger at OT. It will be fun to see how they develop as the both have huge upsides. A lot can happen between now and then.

 

[RustyFA]

Just wanted to make sure we were on the same page. I'm hearing from Kulick that he's going to be a beast on the Oline and your son says he is not. Any particulars?

Muskie5, love the topic.