for the Iowa staff, especially OC Brian Ferentz in 2018.
Iowa finishes 7-5, 4-5 B1G West, which clearly was underachieving, especially with solid wins over Iowa State, Ohio State and Nebraska ... two coming on the road.
QB - Nate Stanley, junior next season, he played very well much of the season. Exceeded most peoples expectations ...
RB - Iowa must replace two senior RBs, with Akrum Wadley getting to 1,000 yards again and James Butler playing hard, despite missing the heart of the Big Ten slate, due to injury. Ivory Kelly-Martin and Toren Young played well at times. They will only be sophomores and hopefully, others can provide depth, since 3+ is a magic number at RB.
FB - Iowa will miss Drake Kullick, who clearly was the best FB on the roster in 2017. Junior Brady Ross and senior Austin Kelly need to step up for Iowa. A good opportunity for a newcomer, as well.
WR - Matt VandeBerg has had a solid five seasons in Iowa City. So, could we see Max Cooper step up, along with other candidates next year? Nick Easley is a senior next season and he played well. Sophomore Inmir Smith-Marsette is beginning to be a gamer. He needs to improve on his consistency. Iowa needs more athletes here. Sophomore Brandon Smith hopefully improves. Nice block today. He spent some time on special teams, as well. Hopefully, improves over off season. This is a group that needs more work ...
TE - Junior Noah Fant had an outstanding homecoming in Lincoln tonight. He may have one more season for Iowa, based on his success, as a sophomore. Sophomore T.J. Hockenson missed an opportunity today, but outstanding first year. Peter Pekar and Jon Wisnleski depart. Iowa needs youth to step up. A deep TE group is important in Iowa City, with a variety of phases of the game.
OL - A solid final game of the regular season, lead by Sean Welsh, who was awarded player of the game by the Hawkeye broadcast team. Senior James Daniels will hopefully be back and healthy for his swan song ... he clearly anchors the O-Line. Seniors Keegan Render and Ross Reynolds rotated today. Will they keep the starting jobs in 2018? Two sophomores figure to remain building blocks at the tackle spots, as Alaric Jackson and Tristan Wirfs benefit from the off-season. Of course, after a 7-5 season, I would expect the O-Line to have open opportunities to determine the Top 5 for 2018. There may be some other players stepping up and competing for playing time here.
Iowa loses starters at RG, WR, RB and FB. Six starters are back for the Hawkeyes in 2017. A strong offensive line should anchor an improved group for 2nd year OC Brian Ferentz, who had ups and downs in his first season. He should get plenty of opportunities to improve in 2018.
On the defensive side,
Iowa loses a very good DT and run stopper in Nate Bazata, three outstanding LBs and SS Miles Taylor. Frankly, Iowa has a major question in the middle of the defense. Taylor's replacement will be either Amani Hooker or Geno Stone.
For the bowl game, Iowa should start SS Geno Stone, who had 8 tackles, along with Josey Jewell in the Nebraska game to lead the Hawkeyes.
Bazata missing snaps in 2017 was costly for Iowa. No one clearly replaced Jaleel Johnson, but Bazata was outstanding in anchoring Iowa's run defense.
Does Joshua Jackson return at CB for his senior season? Or, does he head to the NFL. His family will likely have a say. By the way, I think Nebraska's Stanley Morgan, Jr. is as good of wide receiver in the Big Ten. He plays very well from a physical standpoint.
What is Junior Amani Hooker's injury? Yes, please note I am using 2018 classifications.
DE - Junior Anthony Nelson and sophomore A.J. Epenesa should only be stronger and more effective in 2008.
DE/DT - Senior Parker Hesse will be the heart and sole of the Iowa line in 2018. His line play at times is outstanding and he should play both inside and out again.
DEs - Senior Sam Brincks and sophomore Brandon Simon made some plays in 2017. Brincks showed up in the Ohio State game. Solid reserves.
DT - Junior Cedrick Lattimore should benefit from another off season. He has played a lot of snaps as only a true sophomore.
DT - Senior Matt Nelson wasn't always 100% in 2017 and missed preseason time. He appeared to make the move inside well.
Who becomes Iowa's top run stopper in the line?
DTs - Juniors Brady Reiff and Garrett Jensen played more snaps, as the season went on.
Who will be the next man in for the Hawkeyes defensive lineman?
LBs - Iowa loses three starters in Bo Bower, Josey Jewell and Ben Niemann and as mentioned, more questions than not.
I don't think anyone can be listed as starters heading into 2017. Junior Kristian Welch appears the strongest candidate. Clearly, senior Jack Hockaday is hurt. Will that cost him PT, as a senior?
It's pure speculations in this unit heading into 2018. No one has played significantly in 2017, other than the four seniors, including Kevin Ward, who started at Northwestern, when Jewell missed. That one miss, likely cost Jewell a trophy ...
The defensive backfield has work, but should be improved in 2017.
CB - Sophomore Matt Hankins played well today. Juniors Manny Rugamba and Michael Ojemudia have experience and should hopefully improve with reps. Hankins appears to be best option to lead, if Jackson leaves.
S - Senior Brandon Snyder and junior Amani Hooker are injured and how quick can they get back into the mix is up in the air for 2018?
SS - Sophomore Geno Stone looks ready for a starting role, of course, how you step up, once a starter, is how your skills overall get measured. He stepped up well.
Senior Jake Gervase is back. Not sure he will start, based on prospects of others. Iowa needs more talent for special teams and to develop a strong nickel and dime options.
It was a great win in Lincoln, after an underwhelming 2017 season.
Special teams need to elevate. LS - Tyler Kluver was outstanding over past four seasons and he is gone.
PK - Senior Miquel Recinos was next to Kluver the best performer on special teams.
PT - not sure there is much to say, other than junior Colton Rastetter did a good job, as a holder.
This unit was ugly and cost Iowa dearly against Purdue.
Hopefully, it isn't a bowl game in NYC, like it was for Northwestern in 2016.
In the next 2 years, here's to Iowa finding a way to compete for a date to play for the Big Ten title in Indianapolis. It will not be east in 2018. However, the Hawkeyes would appear a good candidate for a shot at a 10 win season in 2018.
Are we the next Northwestern in 2018?
Iowa finishes 7-5, 4-5 B1G West, which clearly was underachieving, especially with solid wins over Iowa State, Ohio State and Nebraska ... two coming on the road.
QB - Nate Stanley, junior next season, he played very well much of the season. Exceeded most peoples expectations ...
RB - Iowa must replace two senior RBs, with Akrum Wadley getting to 1,000 yards again and James Butler playing hard, despite missing the heart of the Big Ten slate, due to injury. Ivory Kelly-Martin and Toren Young played well at times. They will only be sophomores and hopefully, others can provide depth, since 3+ is a magic number at RB.
FB - Iowa will miss Drake Kullick, who clearly was the best FB on the roster in 2017. Junior Brady Ross and senior Austin Kelly need to step up for Iowa. A good opportunity for a newcomer, as well.
WR - Matt VandeBerg has had a solid five seasons in Iowa City. So, could we see Max Cooper step up, along with other candidates next year? Nick Easley is a senior next season and he played well. Sophomore Inmir Smith-Marsette is beginning to be a gamer. He needs to improve on his consistency. Iowa needs more athletes here. Sophomore Brandon Smith hopefully improves. Nice block today. He spent some time on special teams, as well. Hopefully, improves over off season. This is a group that needs more work ...
TE - Junior Noah Fant had an outstanding homecoming in Lincoln tonight. He may have one more season for Iowa, based on his success, as a sophomore. Sophomore T.J. Hockenson missed an opportunity today, but outstanding first year. Peter Pekar and Jon Wisnleski depart. Iowa needs youth to step up. A deep TE group is important in Iowa City, with a variety of phases of the game.
OL - A solid final game of the regular season, lead by Sean Welsh, who was awarded player of the game by the Hawkeye broadcast team. Senior James Daniels will hopefully be back and healthy for his swan song ... he clearly anchors the O-Line. Seniors Keegan Render and Ross Reynolds rotated today. Will they keep the starting jobs in 2018? Two sophomores figure to remain building blocks at the tackle spots, as Alaric Jackson and Tristan Wirfs benefit from the off-season. Of course, after a 7-5 season, I would expect the O-Line to have open opportunities to determine the Top 5 for 2018. There may be some other players stepping up and competing for playing time here.
Iowa loses starters at RG, WR, RB and FB. Six starters are back for the Hawkeyes in 2017. A strong offensive line should anchor an improved group for 2nd year OC Brian Ferentz, who had ups and downs in his first season. He should get plenty of opportunities to improve in 2018.
On the defensive side,
Iowa loses a very good DT and run stopper in Nate Bazata, three outstanding LBs and SS Miles Taylor. Frankly, Iowa has a major question in the middle of the defense. Taylor's replacement will be either Amani Hooker or Geno Stone.
For the bowl game, Iowa should start SS Geno Stone, who had 8 tackles, along with Josey Jewell in the Nebraska game to lead the Hawkeyes.
Bazata missing snaps in 2017 was costly for Iowa. No one clearly replaced Jaleel Johnson, but Bazata was outstanding in anchoring Iowa's run defense.
Does Joshua Jackson return at CB for his senior season? Or, does he head to the NFL. His family will likely have a say. By the way, I think Nebraska's Stanley Morgan, Jr. is as good of wide receiver in the Big Ten. He plays very well from a physical standpoint.
What is Junior Amani Hooker's injury? Yes, please note I am using 2018 classifications.
DE - Junior Anthony Nelson and sophomore A.J. Epenesa should only be stronger and more effective in 2008.
DE/DT - Senior Parker Hesse will be the heart and sole of the Iowa line in 2018. His line play at times is outstanding and he should play both inside and out again.
DEs - Senior Sam Brincks and sophomore Brandon Simon made some plays in 2017. Brincks showed up in the Ohio State game. Solid reserves.
DT - Junior Cedrick Lattimore should benefit from another off season. He has played a lot of snaps as only a true sophomore.
DT - Senior Matt Nelson wasn't always 100% in 2017 and missed preseason time. He appeared to make the move inside well.
Who becomes Iowa's top run stopper in the line?
DTs - Juniors Brady Reiff and Garrett Jensen played more snaps, as the season went on.
Who will be the next man in for the Hawkeyes defensive lineman?
LBs - Iowa loses three starters in Bo Bower, Josey Jewell and Ben Niemann and as mentioned, more questions than not.
I don't think anyone can be listed as starters heading into 2017. Junior Kristian Welch appears the strongest candidate. Clearly, senior Jack Hockaday is hurt. Will that cost him PT, as a senior?
It's pure speculations in this unit heading into 2018. No one has played significantly in 2017, other than the four seniors, including Kevin Ward, who started at Northwestern, when Jewell missed. That one miss, likely cost Jewell a trophy ...
The defensive backfield has work, but should be improved in 2017.
CB - Sophomore Matt Hankins played well today. Juniors Manny Rugamba and Michael Ojemudia have experience and should hopefully improve with reps. Hankins appears to be best option to lead, if Jackson leaves.
S - Senior Brandon Snyder and junior Amani Hooker are injured and how quick can they get back into the mix is up in the air for 2018?
SS - Sophomore Geno Stone looks ready for a starting role, of course, how you step up, once a starter, is how your skills overall get measured. He stepped up well.
Senior Jake Gervase is back. Not sure he will start, based on prospects of others. Iowa needs more talent for special teams and to develop a strong nickel and dime options.
It was a great win in Lincoln, after an underwhelming 2017 season.
Special teams need to elevate. LS - Tyler Kluver was outstanding over past four seasons and he is gone.
PK - Senior Miquel Recinos was next to Kluver the best performer on special teams.
PT - not sure there is much to say, other than junior Colton Rastetter did a good job, as a holder.
This unit was ugly and cost Iowa dearly against Purdue.
- Wisconsin
- Northwestern
- Purdue
- Penn State
Hopefully, it isn't a bowl game in NYC, like it was for Northwestern in 2016.
In the next 2 years, here's to Iowa finding a way to compete for a date to play for the Big Ten title in Indianapolis. It will not be east in 2018. However, the Hawkeyes would appear a good candidate for a shot at a 10 win season in 2018.
Are we the next Northwestern in 2018?
