Are we laying the foundation for a 'run' for the next few years?

[BigOHawk]

Hear me out:

• Young, solid QB in Stanley for next few years
• Talented Oline who has to cut their teeth especially at OT this year
• Backfield of Young, Toks, IKM, Bryan
• HockFant will hold TE 1 and 2 down
• Good stable of WRs, much improved
• Dline completely intact for next year, as well as Secondary unless I'm missing someone
• Replace LBs is a large gap but young pups have received some snaps there (Welch/Hock/Jones, etc.)
• Last but not least! Schedule improves, especially East crossovers..

 

[cecilB]

Hear me out:

• Young, solid QB in Stanley for next few years
• Talented Oline who has to cut their teeth especially at OT this year
• Backfield of Young, Toks, IKM, Bryan
• HockFant will hold TE 1 and 2 down
• Good stable of WRs, much improved
• Dline completely intact for next year, as well as Secondary unless I'm missing someone
• Replace LBs is a large gap but young pups have received some snaps there (Welch/Hock/Jones, etc.)
• Last but not least! Schedule improves, especially East crossovers..

I believe the program is in a place where it can make a run at it every year.This is what, only the second year in the past many when we weren't in the hunt with 1 or 2 weeks to go?

Some years just don't work out, but the team's collection of talent is rarely that different.

 

[BIG10MANIAC]

I sure hope so BigOHawk........ The thing about Iowa is, they could go 10-2 next year with the lineups you mentioned or they could go 5-7... Will play calling and proper usage of players (Running Wadley as a powerback instead of using him in space for example) be improved also? Time will tell...

 

[hawkeye bb n fb fan]

Hear me out:

• Young, solid QB in Stanley for next few years
• Talented Oline who has to cut their teeth especially at OT this year
• Backfield of Young, Toks, IKM, Bryan
• HockFant will hold TE 1 and 2 down
• Good stable of WRs, much improved
• Dline completely intact for next year, as well as Secondary unless I'm missing someone
• Replace LBs is a large gap but young pups have received some snaps there (Welch/Hock/Jones, etc.)
• Last but not least! Schedule improves, especially East crossovers..

I think so. Need to not run IKM up the middle like they are with Wadley though. Toren Young will be cut from the Leshaun Daniels mold and should be used that way. Offensive line should be really good next year, especially if Jackson and Wirfs take a step forward. Linebacker is like the only place where we will be inexperienced. Don't play OSU, MSU or Michigan as well. Indiana and Maryland next year, I believe. Obviously Penn State as well

 

[BigOHawk]

Not too mention another year of thinking, learning and executing on the job for Brian and the offense. I'll have to find the article but it compared Tate to Stanley's sophomore years at QB and as of a few weeks ago, Nate was higher in every category except completion %age, however we've had an abnormal amount of drops this year, no? We really, really miss Boettger and Myers and a back like LeShun to soften up and bulldoze the DL for Wadley later, we just don't have that.

Tougher schedule, younger team, key injuries, etc and they are probably what we thought they were in August, a 6-6 to 7-5 team however 3 losses by 16 points still sting, beat the Buckeyes! I was at Kinnick back in '04 when they thumped OSU and boy oh boy was it glorious. Decades of payback were delivered on a cold October afternoon!

 

[hexumhawk]

Yes, we are getting a lot of young guys some serious experience this year.

We will have some holes to fill at LB and of course WR but we have a lot of talent going forward into next year.

 

[millhawk]

Oline needs more depth...backups need to challenge the starters. C'mon Levi,Landon, Legrand etc.
Wr's should be ok next year but the freshmen this year have to improve.Recruit more speed...maybe another juco.
Qb looks solid but we need another in this class.
RB's good, look for IKM to emerge big time.
Te's can't ask for much better.
DL love the depth and recruits.
DB's pretty good. Recruiting is getting very good here lately.
LB's Worried about this group. Hoping to be pleasantly surprised. Love that we are going after a juco. A good grad transfer would be cool.
Kickers Recinos is good and we need better punting.
Playcalling is better and I don't care what some others say.

We are due some better luck with injuries. Yeah, I think we could be on the upswing,

 

[ottumwan in tx]

Oline needs more depth...backups need to challenge the starters. C'mon Levi,Landon, Legrand etc.
Wr's should be ok next year but the freshmen this year have to improve.Recruit more speed...maybe another juco.
Qb looks solid but we need another in this class.
RB's good, look for IKM to emerge big time.
Te's can't ask for much better.
DL love the depth and recruits.
DB's pretty good. Recruiting is getting very good here lately.
LB's Worried about this group. Hoping to be pleasantly surprised. Love that we are going after a juco. A good grad transfer would be cool.
Kickers Recinos is good and we need better punting.
Playcalling is better and I don't care what some others say.

We are due some better luck with injuries. Yeah, I think we could be on the upswing,

I will wait and see if they get in a bowl and if they win said bowl, that's my measuring stick

 

[hexumhawk]

I would love to see more push on the OL back ups. Not sure whats up with the Pualsons

JUCO would be a good route for a WR and a LB if they find one that fits their systems.

Think we are pretty good at most other spots...maybe a DT.

 

[nu2u]

Backfield of Young, Toks, IKM, Bryan

Has such a highly coveted RB prospect ever signed with Iowa with less buzz? The hoopla over his signing doesn't seem to match the prize. Ask about Eno Bejamin at the next Hawkeye tailgate or fan gahering and gage that response against an inquiry about Kyshaun Bryan. That's what I mean.

Bryan prepped at Ft Lauderdale Aquinas and according to Rivals, held offers from each of the in-state Big3 - Florida, Florida State, and Miami. That alone should be sufficient to create hype. Mississippi State, LSU, South Carolina in the SEC and Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh, North Carolina, and Duke in the ACC offered as well. That's some serious competition.

In addition, Iowa signed Bryan over offers from B10 power programs Ohio State and Michigan (again, according to Rivals).

Does anyone have more background on his recruitment and how he seemingly snuck into Iowa under the hype radar?

 

[SotaHawk87]

I'm all in. I would like to see more progression versus regression though to end this year! Seems like we may be getting worse offensively..

 

[David1979]

Definitely could be, but they need to actually have some offensive line health one of these years. They return a ton of players for next year.

 

[HawkIDrummer]

clever double entendre ... because we certainly aren't laying a foundation to pass. Run... it is. Preferably into the near sideline off an audible.

 

[Suterman]

Nathan Bazata is a Senior this year so he will not be playing for Iowa next year.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

I agree with everything listed so far. Juco would be huge for another WR (if for nothing else to keep competition high in this group) and that Juco lb out if butler c.c. would be awesome. Guys loves to hit and seems to close very fast. I also agree with the post about Bryan. I have tried to find every scrap of info I can on this guy and it's like pulling teeth. He had a knee issue in high school and "fell" to us. If the staff can get that guys knee to 100% I think he is the perfect balance of jitterbug/bruiser for our system. I'm hoping everyone was on the same page and it was just a year for recovery and red shirt and this guy gets some PT next year. FWIW, and I know I'm going after a sacred cow, I think we are going to see a natural upgrade when MVB is phased out. Love the guy but his senior year has been meh.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

At risk of turning this into a giant poo throwing contest. Anyone think daniels or Jackson leave early?

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Has such a highly coveted RB prospect ever signed with Iowa with less buzz? The hoopla over his signing doesn't seem to match the prize. Ask about Eno Bejamin at the next Hawkeye tailgate or fan gahering and gage that response against an inquiry about Kyshaun Bryan. That's what I mean.

Bryan prepped at Ft Lauderdale Aquinas and according to Rivals, held offers from each of the in-state Big3 - Florida, Florida State, and Miami. That alone should be sufficient to create hype. Mississippi State, LSU, South Carolina in the SEC and Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh, North Carolina, and Duke in the ACC offered as well. That's some serious competition.

In addition, Iowa signed Bryan over offers from B10 power programs Ohio State and Michigan (again, according to Rivals).

Does anyone have more background on his recruitment and how he seemingly snuck into Iowa under the hype radar?

You're right. I missed all that. Sounds like a great catch!

 

[nitewing]

rather than respond to each post one by it is better to just sum it up in one post
Bryan was the #6 APB with Wadley filling that role there was no need to use Bryan here are his measurable 5'10 210 lbs he is big enough to handle the between the tackles duties IKM is the speed back @ 5'11 fits the Wadley mold, Young @ 5'11 brings the Green type of power back. even Akinrabi @ 6'0 208 lbs brings that power runner, there are a number of options @ RB.

now to the WR's these are the options going forward
Easley who leads the team in receptions and yards will be a SR
ISM will be a SO
Brandon Smith who is the backup to the Meer Cat will be a SO
Cooper is RS'ing
6'3 Machese is RS'ing
Transfer Quarells will be a Senior and may see increased playing time.
Tracey who will be a FR next fall looks like a pretty good addition at WR/Slot
Evan another who will be a FR is another good looking WR/Slot.

as for the OL
Legrand @ 6'5 will be a RSSR hopefully adds depth at the Tackle spot
Ferguson who will be a RSSR @ 6'4 310 lbs adds depth at the guard spot
Kallenberger @ 6'6 is RS'ing will add depth at the Tackle spot
Kirkpatrick @ 6'5 is moving from the DL to the OL provides depth at the G/T spots
Barnwart @ 6'4 is the backup to Daniels as is Williams @ 6'3
Reynolds @6'4 will be a SR and adds depth at the Guard position
Levi and Landen @ 6'5 are/will both be RSJR's add depth at the G positions
Plumb @ 6'8 will be a addition at the Tackle position when he gets here
Ince @ 6'5 is another addition at the G/T when he gets here
Jenkins @ 6'4 is a addition at the C/G position
there will be a lot of depth on the OL next season

the QB position will have Boyle and Mansell who is RS'ing but it is wise to bring in a QB in each class.

on defense they do lose Bazata on the DL but it looks like Matt Nelson is his replacement which makes next years 2 deep look like this
SR DE Hesse backup SO Epenesa
RSJR DE A Nelson RSSO's McKnight/Golhston
DT JR Lattimore backup RSSO Rieff
DT RSSR M Nelson backup JR Newborg


the LB'rs we all know what we are losing but this is what they could look like in 2018
OLB SR Hochenson backup RSSO Nick Niemann
WLB SR Mends backup JR Jones
MLB RSSO Welch backup RSFR Taylor

the 2ndary returns all 4 starters and 3 of the 4 backups.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

If only there was a way

rather than respond to each post one by it is better to just sum it up in one post
Bryan was the #6 APB. with Wadley filling that role, IMO,there was no need to use Bryan. He is big enough to handle the between the tackles duties. IKM will be the speed back and fits the Wadley (even though i just said wadley runs between the tackles) mold, Young, like bryan, brings the Green type of power back. even Akinrabi brings that power runner, there are a number of options @ RB.

WR's going forward
Easley our #1 will be a SR
ISM
Brandon Smith will take meerkats spot
Cooper is RS'ing (no he isn't but you would have to watch the games to know that)
6'3 Machese is RS'ing
Quarells is buried and doesn't look like he will play.
Tracey who will be a FR next fall looks like a pretty good addition at WR/Slot
Evan another who will be a FR is another good looking WR/Slot.

as for the OL
Legrand might be a decent backup as a senior
Ferguson same
Kallenberger could go anywhere but has a huge upside
Kirkpatrick will never be heard from
Barnwart @ 6'4 is the backup to Daniels
Williams
Reynolds
Levi

Any one listed below will need a year or 2 in the weight room
Plumb @ 6'8 will be a addition at the Tackle position when he gets here
Ince @ 6'5 is another addition at the G/T when he gets here
Jenkins @ 6'4 is a addition at the C/G position
there will be a lot of depth on the OL next season

the QB position should have one in every class but we look set for awhile.

Defense looks good but like everyone has point out we are going to need to find linebackers in a hurry.

the 2ndary returns all 4 starters and 3 of the 4 backups.

Fify.

 

[millah_22]

I believe there's reason to be optimistic. We're a few executions from 8-0. It's very Kirk to say, but that's football. Sometimes the bounces go the other way.

 

[sober_teacher]

At risk of turning this into a giant poo throwing contest. Anyone think daniels or Jackson leave early?

Josh Jackson....maybe, especially looking at how King fell. No idea what the DB position looks like in the draft class.

Especially given the struggles of the oline I doubt Daniels goes. Also remember, he’s only 20, very young for a junior.

 

[farhawks]

The running game "should" be very good because that is the focus of the offense. The wild card is if Stanley progresses (which is a crap shoot) I think he could be one of the best to come through the Ferentz era. He's got a crazy hose of an arm and if he can get a little more touch then watch out! This year was going to be a questionable year and it looks like to me if they play a clean game with no mental errors, no turnovers and make the plays they need to(i.e. catch the damn ball) this season is trending upwards.

 

[BigOHawk]

rather than respond to each post one by it is better to just sum it up in one post
Bryan was the #6 APB with Wadley filling that role there was no need to use Bryan here are his measurable 5'10 210 lbs he is big enough to handle the between the tackles duties IKM is the speed back @ 5'11 fits the Wadley mold, Young @ 5'11 brings the Green type of power back. even Akinrabi @ 6'0 208 lbs brings that power runner, there are a number of options @ RB.

now to the WR's these are the options going forward
Easley who leads the team in receptions and yards will be a SR
ISM will be a SO
Brandon Smith who is the backup to the Meer Cat will be a SO
Cooper is RS'ing
6'3 Machese is RS'ing
Transfer Quarells will be a Senior and may see increased playing time.
Tracey who will be a FR next fall looks like a pretty good addition at WR/Slot
Evan another who will be a FR is another good looking WR/Slot.

as for the OL
Legrand @ 6'5 will be a RSSR hopefully adds depth at the Tackle spot
Ferguson who will be a RSSR @ 6'4 310 lbs adds depth at the guard spot
Kallenberger @ 6'6 is RS'ing will add depth at the Tackle spot
Kirkpatrick @ 6'5 is moving from the DL to the OL provides depth at the G/T spots
Barnwart @ 6'4 is the backup to Daniels as is Williams @ 6'3
Reynolds @6'4 will be a SR and adds depth at the Guard position
Levi and Landen @ 6'5 are/will both be RSJR's add depth at the G positions
Plumb @ 6'8 will be a addition at the Tackle position when he gets here
Ince @ 6'5 is another addition at the G/T when he gets here
Jenkins @ 6'4 is a addition at the C/G position
there will be a lot of depth on the OL next season

the QB position will have Boyle and Mansell who is RS'ing but it is wise to bring in a QB in each class.

on defense they do lose Bazata on the DL but it looks like Matt Nelson is his replacement which makes next years 2 deep look like this
SR DE Hesse backup SO Epenesa
RSJR DE A Nelson RSSO's McKnight/Golhston
DT JR Lattimore backup RSSO Rieff
DT RSSR M Nelson backup JR Newborg


the LB'rs we all know what we are losing but this is what they could look like in 2018
OLB SR Hochenson backup RSSO Nick Niemann
WLB SR Mends backup JR Jones
MLB RSSO Welch backup RSFR Taylor

the 2ndary returns all 4 starters and 3 of the 4 backups.

Good write up however as stated Max Cooper has played in a few games so no redshirt. Starters next year are Easley/ISM/Smith and Cooper first off bench. Falconer and Devonte Young must've really fallen behind and hopefully Quarells can develop too.

 

[Muskie5]

Oline needs more depth...backups need to challenge the starters. C'mon Levi,Landon, Legrand etc.
Wr's should be ok next year but the freshmen this year have to improve.Recruit more speed...maybe another juco.
Qb looks solid but we need another in this class.
RB's good, look for IKM to emerge big time.
Te's can't ask for much better.
DL love the depth and recruits.
DB's pretty good. Recruiting is getting very good here lately.
LB's Worried about this group. Hoping to be pleasantly surprised. Love that we are going after a juco. A good grad transfer would be cool.
Kickers Recinos is good and we need better punting.
Playcalling is better and I don't care what some others say.

We are due some better luck with injuries. Yeah, I think we could be on the upswing,

A healthy LeGrand and Ferguson next year would go a long way providing quality depth LeGrand has started at Center (last year) and has played guard and was listed on the depth chart at RT at one point, and Ferguson was listed on the depth chart for almost 2 years before getting hurt and can play G or RT. He has seen the field quite a lot over the previous 2 years if I remember correctly. And yes, it's time for the Paulson twins to take it to the next level and live up to the hype the received coming out of HS. I personally believe that once Kallenberger beefs up (he's almost there from what I have heard), he will push Jackson big time at LT. I also think Cook will push for PT at TE once he beefs up especially if he learns to block well. I agree LB is the biggest question mark. I think there is a lot of talent there, just unproven. Guys like Hockaday, Mends, Jones, Welch, Niemann, Wade, etc... are all impressive athletes (some maybe even more 'athletic' than our seniors) but can they grasp the reads well enough and be instinctive enough to 'play fast'. They need playing time and first team reps. It sounded like they (the 'reserves') took most of the 1st team reps during bye week and I would imagine they will take most of the reps during bowl prep. Between all those reps, plus spring and fall camps, hopefully they will be ready. Having 7 returners in front of them and 6 guys with starting experience behind them will help quite a lot.

 

[HawkBlocked]

I agree with the OP. We're a year away yet.

 

[Muskie5]

I agree with the OP. We're a year away yet.

You may be right, but they will still have to execute consistently. That has been the biggest problem this year.

 

[BigOHawk]

I'm still convinced had we beaten PSU we go on and beat Sparty the next week and we're left with the NW loss alone right now with a good chance at the West. That said, lots of talent and experience returning from 1-85 and schedule flips a bit next year.

 

[Muskie5]

It would be awesome to land Waggoner, but I won't be devastated if we don't. We are well stocked for a few years at DE. Simon and Gholston are just RSFR and I am impressed with them. Talked to Simon's dad after the spring scrimmage (and Simon and Gholston played alot and really well) and he seemed like a really nice and intelligent man. He said his son was really enjoying Iowa but it was somewhat of a culture shock being from NJ. Hesse and Brinks are seniors next year, so Simon and Gholston will have another year to 'develop' unless there are injuries. I see them as really quality back ups to Maj. Nelson and Eppy and will probably be in the rotation as juniors. The 'shelves' are more stocked at Iowa right now than they have been for awhile.

 

[General Tso]

I believe the program is in a place where it can make a run at it every year.This is what, only the second year in the past many when we weren't in the hunt with 1 or 2 weeks to go?

Some years just don't work out, but the team's collection of talent is rarely that different.

This, especially the first sentence. KF has Iowa consistently set up to toe the line every season, which makes it kind of fun and is probably a reason fans keep coming back after mediocre seasons. Each season could be the one where we get the breaks, the calls, the last minute interceptions, etc. On the flip side, this style creates a huge tendency to revert to the mean. The 2002-2004 run was probably the only multi year outlier to all of this.

 

[HemiHawk]

Hear me out:

• Young, solid QB in Stanley for next few years
• Talented Oline who has to cut their teeth especially at OT this year
• Backfield of Young, Toks, IKM, Bryan
• HockFant will hold TE 1 and 2 down
• Good stable of WRs, much improved
• Dline completely intact for next year, as well as Secondary unless I'm missing someone
• Replace LBs is a large gap but young pups have received some snaps there (Welch/Hock/Jones, etc.)
• Last but not least! Schedule improves, especially East crossovers..

Data shows were are in for a mediocre next three years. Mabye KF will buck the trend. I hope so.

99,2000,01 = 11-24
02-04 = 31-7
05-07 = 19-18
08-10 = 28-11
11-13 = 19-19
14-16 = 27-13
2017 = I project 7-6

 

[nitewing]

1 player I like that I have not talked about is RB turned LB Barrington Wade, he should be in the mix at WLB, as far as the Paulsons they have been behind so good players,
Levi has been behind Welsh which is no shame, remember 4* Walsh didn't start till his RSJR Year, right now Landon is behind Render and Reynolds and both will be seniors next season, just because a player doesn't start doesn't mean he is not producing or isn't very good. the middle of the OL is loaded its at the tackles that is thin. that has been addressed in the 17 and now the 18 Classes.
even the 2019 class has 2 commits at the tackle positions with 6'6 Endres able to play the tackle and guard spots

saw a post about Kalenberger pushing Jackson at the LT spot, this could happen but another scenario that could happen is that Wirfs could start at guard and Kallenberger takes his spot at RT.

lots of options going forward.

 

[DogBoyRy]

Hear me out:

• Young, solid QB in Stanley for next few years
• Talented Oline who has to cut their teeth especially at OT this year
• Backfield of Young, Toks, IKM, Bryan
• HockFant will hold TE 1 and 2 down
• Good stable of WRs, much improved
• Dline completely intact for next year, as well as Secondary unless I'm missing someone
• Replace LBs is a large gap but young pups have received some snaps there (Welch/Hock/Jones, etc.)
• Last but not least! Schedule improves, especially East crossovers..

Will depend on schedule and injuries but I've been told the talent pool is as deep as ever especially at the skill positions from someone pretty close to the program.

 

[Birky]

Will depend on schedule and injuries but I've been told the talent pool is as deep as ever especially at the skill positions from someone pretty close to the program.

The eyeball test agrees. So does the BTN crew.

 

[Muskie5]

Data shows were are in for a mediocre next three years. Mabye KF will buck the trend. I hope so.

99,2000,01 = 11-24
02-04 = 31-7
05-07 = 19-18
08-10 = 28-11
11-13 = 19-19
14-16 = 27-13
2017 = I project 7-6

Sounds reliable to me ..