2018 Recruiting Class

[Eternal Return]

Forget about rankings (they were 40th in nation). Just looking at who has contributed so far and guys poised to do so, this is turning out to be a key class in terms of difference makers. They'll all be true juniors or RS sophomores for the 2020 season.

Guys who have already contributed:
--Julius Brents CB
--John Waggoner DE
--Daviyon Nixon DT
--Tyrone Tracy WR
--D.J. Johnson CB/Cash
--Dillon Doyle LB
--Tyler Linderbaum C
--Nico Ragaini WR
--Kaevon Merriweather FS
--Mekhi Sargent RB
--Riley Moss CB
--Terry Roberts
--Seth Benson

Guys poised to contribute this season (either starters or two deeps/depth):
--Spencer Petras QB
--Noah Shannon DT
--Jeff Jenkins OL
--Cody ince OG
--Jack Plumb OT


Question marks:
--Dallas Craddieth S (highly rated recruit)
--Calvin Lockett WR

Compared to past classes, this one is really deep with early contributors and guys poised to contribute as upperclassmen (some this year, some perhaps in 2021). Damn, it's a long time until next season. Kind of interesting to look at what's coming, though. If other classes can contribute just half this much Iowa should be in good shape in 2020. If they contribute more than half of this class? Iowa could have a special season.

EDIT: Added Terry Roberts and Seth Benson to contributors (special teams) and deleted McDonald because he is no longer with the team.

 

[Hawk94Mn]

These guys will be upperclassmen next year coupled with the 2019 and 2020 classes. Both of which have been big successes. The 2017 class was obviously very good too, but we lost 3 of the big boys.

I believe everything changed after the 2016 class, recruiting wise. The new facility had a proof of concept and the nfl pedigree was already there. Iowa might have a top 15 to 20 D and top 30 O. The defense might have a chance to be even better than that if a couple positions find quality replacements.

 

[Zildjian6868]

I would change Roberts to contributed. He has been playing a lot on special teams. Also I do not believe McDonald is with the team anymore

 

[Eternal Return]

I would change Roberts to contributed. He has been playing a lot on special teams. Also I do not believe McDonald is with the team anymore

Thanks for the info. I didn't realize that Roberts was involved in ST and certainly didn't realize McDonald left the team.

 

[Eternal Return]

These guys will be upperclassmen next year coupled with the 2019 and 2020 classes. Both of which have been big successes. The 2017 class was obviously very good too, but we lost 3 of the big boys.

I believe everything changed after the 2016 class, recruiting wise. The new facility had a proof of concept and the nfl pedigree was already there. Iowa might have a top 15 to 20 D and top 30 O. The defense might have a chance to be even better than that if a couple positions find quality replacements.

I agree, I think there was a shift in recruiting philosophy and effectiveness starting that year. I think it's improved since then, too. The results are showing.

EDIT: I would hold off on top 30 Off if for no other reason than Iowa's tempo affects the number of offensive possessions in a game. If there were stats on yards or points per possession, maybe Iowa could make top 30, though.

 

[TheHawkeyeDudeAbides]

Eternal Return, you are so right.

If Iowa can get back to having a 1000+ yard primary running back and 2000 yards rushing from its top 3 back committee while the new QB gets around 3000 passing yards and the offense generates 47 or more TDs, Iowa should be probably have at least a 9 win season. The defense should be strong enough. Staying below 240 points allowed for conference season means winning season highly probable. Iowa's offense does not have to be top 30 to win.

The Defense needs to get back to 2018 level of interceptions. Only 12 interceptions by defense in 2019 compared to 20 in 2018 and 21 in 2017 (19 in 2015). Injuries and new personnel (inexperience) likely cut that number down a notch. 18 or better typically means a great year (2 a game usually spells a win). Fumbles are harder to claim as its either a running back with the exchange or carrying the ball wrong or the pressure forced on a quarterback (sack/ knock ball loose).

 

[StallmanCurse]

I agree, I think there was a shift in recruiting philosophy and effectiveness starting that year. I think it's improved since then, too. The results are showing.

EDIT: I would hold off on top 30 Off if for no other reason than Iowa's tempo affects the number of offensive possessions in a game. If there were stats on yards or points per possession, maybe Iowa could make top 30, though.

^ All of this. People need to stop thinking about total yards and start thinking about offensive efficiency.

Iowa finished 73rd in Offensive Points Per Drive in 2019: Link
...and was 60th in Offense Efficiency: Link

First link also shows Iowa was 25th in Net Points per Drive (Offensive PPD - Defensive PPD)

 

[cidhawkeye]

^ All of this. People need to stop thinking about total yards and start thinking about offensive efficiency.

Iowa finished 73rd in Offensive Points Per Drive in 2019: Link
...and was 60th in Offense Efficiency: Link

First link also shows Iowa was 25th in Net Points per Drive (Offensive PPD - Defensive PPD)

Interesting site, 110th in points from short field position

 

[nu2u]

Forget about rankings (they were 40th in nation). Just looking at who has contributed so far and guys poised to do so, this is turning out to be a key class in terms of difference makers. They'll all be true juniors or RS sophomores for the 2020 season.

Guys who have already contributed:
--Julius Brents CB
--John Waggoner DE
--Daviyon Nixon DT
--Tyrone Tracy WR
--D.J. Johnson CB/Cash
--Dillon Doyle LB
--Tyler Linderbaum C
--Nico Ragaini WR
--Kaevon Merriweather FS
--Mekhi Sargent RB
--Riley Moss CB

Guys poised to contribute this season (either starters or two deeps/depth):
--Spencer Petras QB
--Noah Shannon DT
--Jeff Jenkins OL
--Cody ince OG
--Jack Plumb OT


Question marks:
--Dallas Craddieth S (highly rated recruit)
--Terry Roberts DB
--Calvin Lockett WR
--Seth Benson LB
--Jayden McDonald LB (highly rated recruit)

Compared to past classes, this one is really deep with early contributors and guys poised to contribute as upperclassmen (some this year, some perhaps in 2021). Damn, it's a long time until next season. Kind of interesting to look at what's coming, though. If other classes can contribute just half this much Iowa should be in good shape in 2020. If they contribute more than half of this class? Iowa could have a special season.

I would move Seth Benson from "question mark" to "contributor" status. He has already contributed on special teams and has seen significant game action. Benson was listed in the two deeps last year. He has a pretty good shot at more playing time in 2020 IMO and my prediction is that he is the favorite to start if Nick Niemann moves to MLB.

 

[iahawkeyes17]

Thanks for the info. I didn't realize that Roberts was involved in ST and certainly didn't realize McDonald left the team.

Roberts helped guide the ISU player into his own man on this epic special teams play.

He also saw little time on nickel packages this year.

 

[pink shizzle]

Jeff Jenkins is done.

Ince and Shannon contributed this season. Ince more than Shannon, I believe.