3 draft eligible Hawks in NFL site's top 150

[deanhawk88]

#40 Noah Fant Jr
#46 Alaric Jackson RSSoph
#117 Anthony Nelson RSJr
Hopefully these potential early exits translate to continued improvement in recruiting. Kinda sucks to lose as many as 3(4/5 if Stanley/Hooker blow up), the 2019 could be one of Kirk's best if they all stayed. Wirfs and AJ the following year. Having 6 plus early NFL drafts in 3 years has got to be an added tool in the recruiting arsenal, hope it pays off to offset this.

 

[Harbinger273]

What sight did you find this on? Alaric is fairly high on the list I see. I'm hoping we don't lose any more than Fant as early entries into the draft. Seems like the rest would be better served at this point to stay on for 2019, but better to evaluate after 2018.
I don't know what to think of the recruiting side of things with the early entry draftees at this point. I was thinking yesterday about our draft picks not necessarily leading to a higher recruiting profile for the program. Seems like we still get passed over quite regularly for more big time programs. Its been this way for a long time. I guess it all adds up to why we have the approach we do in recruiting.

 

[ICTrojans99]

Fant will be the only guy that leaves early. We probably lose both tackles and possibly AJ after 19. Hooker and Nelson are good but not great athletically so I that will be enough to keep them here for their senior years. I really think 19 could be a 02/09 type of team if everybody minus Fant stays and are healthy. I think Hock & Beyer will be a great combo so not gonna be much if any drop off at TE. I think Beyers testing numbers will be real close to Fants by the time he's done if he can block were set till 2021.

 

[rustynailhawk]

Throwing it out there, I think Nate leaves early after a stellar 11-1 year.

 

[ICWestfan]

Throwing it out there, I think Nate leaves early after a stellar 11-1 year.

I don't think record will matter so much as metrics. If he blows up (as mentioned) with a high completion. YPC, YPA, TD:Int rate etc he may bolt. And if his NFL rating explodes also.

 

[Big Hawk D-Port]

Throwing it out there, I think Nate leaves early after a stellar 11-1 year.

This seems to be a good time to remind everyone that Nate went 8/24 for 41 yards and an INT vs Wisconsin.

 

[Harbinger273]

This seems to be a good time to remind everyone that Nate went 8/24 for 41 yards and an INT vs Wisconsin.

Thanks Debbie. Hope your day goes well. I sure he's not dwelling on that performance the way you are. He'll be better for it.

 

[bojihawk44]

This seems to be a good time to remind everyone that Nate went 8/24 for 41 yards and an INT vs Wisconsin.

You people suck. Jesus tapdancing christ.

 

[Big Hawk D-Port]

Thanks Debbie. Hope your day goes well. I sure he's not dwelling on that performance the way you are. He'll be better for it.

All I’m saying is that Iowa’s not going 11-1 next year and Nate’s not going to enter the draft early.

 

[anon_2zMXH429BhxV1Npk]

This seems to be a good time to remind everyone that Nate went 8/24 for 41 yards and an INT vs Wisconsin.

This seems to be a good time to remind everyone that Nate went 20/31 for 226 yards and 5 TDs with no INTs vs Ohio State.

All I'm saying is that based on 1 game in 2017 Iowa for sure is winning between 0 and 14 games next year and Nate will definitely be eligible to enter the draft as early.

See, I can play your idiotic game too?

 

[deanhawk88]

Anthony Nelson has got to be the most under valued/rated player by Hawk fans. He's been fantastic, yet so little appreciation. Who's the best defensive player over Anthony Nelson? He's a potential 1st, more likely 2nd, team All B1G. If he improves much more, this late 4th rd ranking will go up, so this is possible and it's his 4th year.
I kinda wondered what Iowa could possible have to offer the 2 Iowa Western DE they offered...well, here's one thing. AJ and Graves would be sick in 2019! Even Malcolm Lee would have a good chance to beat out anyone not named AJ.

 

[Johnsoda123]

Anthony Nelson has got to be the most under valued/rated player by Hawk fans. He's been fantastic, yet so little appreciation. Who's the best defensive player over Anthony Nelson? He's a potential 1st, more likely 2nd, team All B1G. If he improves much more, this late 4th rd ranking will go up, so this is possible and it's his 4th year.
I kinda wondered what Iowa could possible have to offer the 2 Iowa Western DE they offered...well, here's one thing. AJ and Graves would be sick in 2019! Even Malcolm Lee would have a good chance to beat out anyone not named AJ.

I'm anxious to see Golston play. KF has said he needs to see the field. Waggoner is probably as fundamentally sound as AJ was at similar points in their development. I personally think Hooker is going to be the big play guy on this team. He doesn't hit like Sanders but has the instincts.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

I'm anxious to see Golston play. KF has said he needs to see the field. Waggoner is probably as fundamentally sound as AJ was at similar points in their development. I personally think Hooker is going to be the big play guy on this team. He doesn't hit like Sanders but has the instincts.

At a comparable time in his career - Hooker is better against the pass than Sanders (and it's not really close). However, in almost every other facet ... Sanders was unbelievable. Against the run ... when executing the rare blitz ... on special teams ... Bob was a difference maker almost every time he stepped on the field. I honestly believe that is another reason why opposing teams passed on us so often in '02 .... because that was one of the few things that could be done to neutralize his play (to an extent). Huge credit to Sanders that he improved his coverage skills a ton going from '01 to '02 .... and even more from '02 to '03.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

#40 Noah Fant Jr
#46 Alaric Jackson RSSoph
#117 Anthony Nelson RSJr
Hopefully these potential early exits translate to continued improvement in recruiting. Kinda sucks to lose as many as 3(4/5 if Stanley/Hooker blow up), the 2019 could be one of Kirk's best if they all stayed. Wirfs and AJ the following year. Having 6 plus early NFL drafts in 3 years has got to be an added tool in the recruiting arsenal, hope it pays off to offset this.

I think that it's way too early for the hype train to be leaving the station concerning Alaric. However, I could see him leaving early after the '19 season.

 

[INXS83]

Throwing it out there, I think Nate leaves early after a stellar 11-1 year.

Maybe if they're 14-1.

Last I heard, Nate's not even being considered as one of the top QB's in the B1G this fall.

 

[INXS83]

I think that it's way too early for the hype train to be leaving the station concerning Alaric. However, I could see him leaving early after the '19 season.

Agreed. It's funny that Alaric is listed and not Wirfs. Both started as FR (yes, AJ was a RS) but Wirfs is considered to have more upside. Both are still very young and should get a lot of buzz heading into the '19 season.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Anthony Nelson has got to be the most under valued/rated player by Hawk fans. He's been fantastic, yet so little appreciation. Who's the best defensive player over Anthony Nelson? He's a potential 1st, more likely 2nd, team All B1G. If he improves much more, this late 4th rd ranking will go up, so this is possible and it's his 4th year.
I kinda wondered what Iowa could possible have to offer the 2 Iowa Western DE they offered...well, here's one thing. AJ and Graves would be sick in 2019! Even Malcolm Lee would have a good chance to beat out anyone not named AJ.

The log-jam at DE is going to be thinned out quite a bit after the '18 season ... given the graduation of Hesse and Brincks. While I think that Anthony will have a great season in '18 and that he'll have a decision to make .... I ultimately believe that he'll return for the '19 season. Thus, the DE spot could thin out even more after the '19 season ... because then Anthony will be graduating ... and AJ will likely be finding himself having a decision to make.

Thus, despite my excitement about Golston and Waggoner ... following the '19 season, I expect that we'll be having all new starters in '20 at DE. Furthermore, given Reese Morgan's desire to rotate guys ... we'll be needing 2 more quality guys be competing for the starting spots (and at least contributing in a rotation).

 

[Roy-munson]

Agreed. It's funny that Alaric is listed and not Wirfs. Both started as FR (yes, AJ was a RS) but Wirfs is considered to have more upside. Both are still very young and should get a lot of buzz heading into the '19 season.

Wirfs isn’t draft elegible

 

[deanhawk88]

"I expect scouts who were checking out 2018 second-round pick James Daniels' film this year also noticed the Hawkeyes' massive but nimble left tackle. His length and quick-set makes it tough to beat him around the corner, and he's effective moving in the Hawkeyes' zone scheme."

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...ege-football-players-to-watch-in-2018-nos-150

Hopefully staying 4 years and getting a degree are important enough for him to stay but at an athletic 6-7 320 and only actually playing 3 years of football in his life, his ceiling is high and his measurables, salty.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Agreed. It's funny that Alaric is listed and not Wirfs. Both started as FR (yes, AJ was a RS) but Wirfs is considered to have more upside. Both are still very young and should get a lot of buzz heading into the '19 season.

I can only fathom that folks are talking about Alaric because of the track-record of Iowa's multi-year starters at LT (who remain healthy). It's an unbroken chain of guys ... each multi-year starting LT we've had who's enjoyed decent health has gotten drafted in the 1st round .... and 2 of them have gotten the Outland trophy. We're talking about Gallery, Bulaga, Reiff, and Scherff. Now Jackson could potentially add his name to this list ...

 

[INXS83]

Wirfs isn’t draft elegible

Thank God. Otherwise, some on here would have him projected in the first round next May.

 

[INXS83]

I can only fathom that folks are talking about Alaric because of the track-record of Iowa's multi-year starters at LT (who remain healthy). It's an unbroken chain of guys ... each multi-year starting LT we've had who's enjoyed decent health has gotten drafted in the 1st round .... and 2 of them have gotten the Outland trophy. We're talking about Gallery, Bulaga, Reiff, and Scherff. Now Jackson could potentially add his name to this list ...

He's got a lot to prove to be mentioned in the same breath as the names on that list.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

He's got a lot to prove to be mentioned in the same breath as the names on that list.

I absolutely agree ... but he definitely has the raw skill set. The one thing that might be missing is the mean-factor. I've heard that the coaches would like to a see a little more "nasty" out of him.

 

[Johnsoda123]

I can only fathom that folks are talking about Alaric because of the track-record of Iowa's multi-year starters at LT (who remain healthy). It's an unbroken chain of guys ... each multi-year starting LT we've had who's enjoyed decent health has gotten drafted in the 1st round .... and 2 of them have gotten the Outland trophy. We're talking about Gallery, Bulaga, Reiff, and Scherff. Now Jackson could potentially add his name to this list ...

A

I can only fathom that folks are talking about Alaric because of the track-record of Iowa's multi-year starters at LT (who remain healthy). It's an unbroken chain of guys ... each multi-year starting LT we've had who's enjoyed decent health has gotten drafted in the 1st round .... and 2 of them have gotten the Outland trophy. We're talking about Gallery, Bulaga, Reiff, and Scherff. Now Jackson could potentially add his name to this list ...

The depth chart has Wirfs at LT.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

The depth chart has Wirfs at LT.

I don't know how up to date that is. Kirk has addressed the fact that Wirfs is essentially equally good at either LT or RT. Whereas, due to the hand-dominance .... Jackson is much better at LT than he is at RT. I'd be willing to bet that the starters for this fall will be Jackson at LT and Wirfs at RT ... however, who knows?

 

[SLarew]

The depth chart has Wirfs at LT.

I don't know how up to date that is. Kirk has addressed the fact that Wirfs is essentially equally good at either LT or RT. Whereas, due to the hand-dominance .... Jackson is much better at LT than he is at RT. I'd be willing to bet that the starters for this fall will be Jackson at LT and Wirfs at RT ... however, who knows?

Correct. Kirk and Brian may change things but Alaric was at LT at end of Spring practice

 

[Roy-munson]

I can only fathom that folks are talking about Alaric because of the track-record of Iowa's multi-year starters at LT (who remain healthy). It's an unbroken chain of guys ... each multi-year starting LT we've had who's enjoyed decent health has gotten drafted in the 1st round .... and 2 of them have gotten the Outland trophy. We're talking about Gallery, Bulaga, Reiff, and Scherff. Now Jackson could potentially add his name to this list ...

You know who started at lt before bulaga, no other then Marshall yanda.. Pete mcchanon is the loan hold out and heck he even made the nfl

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

You know who started at lt before bulaga, no other then Marshall yanda.. Pete mcchanon is the loan hold out and heck he even made the nfl

McMahon was a walk-on ... and he was a starting RT in '03 and '04 if memory serves. The left tackle in '04 was Lee Gray - he was injured and didn't play in '05 - and the NCAA didn't grant him an extra year to play in '06 (we could have used him though).

Initially, in '05, Mike Jones started at LT ... however, it simply wasn't a good fit. So Gates took over the LT spot, Jones slid inside to the LG spot, and Yanda started most of the year at RT. However, in the following year, Dace Richardson started at LT, however he ended up getting injured ... so Yanda played on the other side and started at LT for the rest of the season. Thus, Yanda WAS a multi-year starter for us at OT ... but he only spent a little less than 1 season at LT. Furthermore, most folks projected him as an OG in the pros ... and back then, LTs were valued well ahead of OGs. Now, with the prevalence of dominating DTs ... versatile OGs are increasingly valued.

 

[StallmanCurse]

I can only fathom that folks are talking about Alaric because of the track-record of Iowa's multi-year starters at LT (who remain healthy). It's an unbroken chain of guys ... each multi-year starting LT we've had who's enjoyed decent health has gotten drafted in the 1st round .... and 2 of them have gotten the Outland trophy. We're talking about Gallery, Bulaga, Reiff, and Scherff. Now Jackson could potentially add his name to this list ...

22 starts at LT is the golden number, not that I'm keeping track or anything...

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

22 starts at LT is the golden number, not that I'm keeping track or anything...

Bulaga's number of starts at LT?

 

[StallmanCurse]

Bulaga's number of starts at LT?

Yes, though it seems my spreadsheet didn't get moved over when I switched comouters, so I don't have everyone's numbers. I do remember Alonzo Cunningham had 20 starts, and Boone was on pace to blow up the statistic before getting injured.

 

[kceasthawk]

Fant will be the only guy that leaves early. We probably lose both tackles and possibly AJ after 19. Hooker and Nelson are good but not great athletically so I that will be enough to keep them here for their senior years. I really think 19 could be a 02/09 type of team if everybody minus Fant stays and are healthy. I think Hock & Beyer will be a great combo so not gonna be much if any drop off at TE. I think Beyers testing numbers will be real close to Fants by the time he's done if he can block were set till 2021.

Don't kid yourself. A Nelson is a freak athlete at 6'7" and 270 or so. Very good quickness and a nose for the finish. I hope he stays as well, but he will get drafted in the first three rounds after this year or the next.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Yes, though it seems my spreadsheet didn't get moved over when I switched comouters, so I don't have everyone's numbers. I do remember Alonzo Cunningham had 20 starts, and Boone was on pace to blow up the statistic before getting injured.

Largely due to injuries, Boone never really had all that many starts at LT. In '15, due to injury, Croston took over the LT spot and owned it for at least the latter half of the season. In '16, he started at LT for the majority of the time ... but I think he missed a few starts. Lastly, in '17, due to injury he started off trying to play at LG ... but the injury was impacting his play too much ... so then he was done for the season.

I always thought that folks undersold Boone at LT. Had he enjoyed better health, I think that he would have surprised folks.

 

[staygoldponyboy]

It already has to some extent. The justification for 100 million in renovation/upgrade spending was to improve the program talent level, which was already pretty healthy.

"Buh buh buh no one would ever want to come to a river-runs-through-it field of dreams like Iowa city."

To which I say: are you out of your ****ing mind? A kid has a chance to leave an ugly, deadly urban environment devoid of role models to play for a H.O.F. coach in a safe, bucolic place like Iowa City.

"Buh buh buh we don't have beaches. We'll never get kids from Pennsylvania, Georgia, Florida, California, Ohio, Texas, etc."

Guess what you mega*****, we already have. No more excuses, time to deliver.