Can anybody explain Iowa's 2018 LB recruiting to me?

[backinblack23]

LB is probably the most important position on our defense. They are asked to do everything every down, they are asked to cover slot guys, TE's, and RB's at any given time. Then on top of that they need to shut down the run without the threat of the run blitz. The defense is one thing we all know what we are going to get game in and game out. If the Lb'ers are average then our defense is average. When we had a group like this past season, it shows and we have one tough unit.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Homer nice post. Do you maybe see changes coming...more nickel coverages? You just know Frost will not be the same old Nebby offense and I think KF and company could be loading...just a thought.

Sorry for not replying sooner. You pose some interesting considerations.

Iowa asks an AWFUL lot from their LEO LB. Consequently, the quality of play of our LEO LB can lead to unwanted fragilities of the D. Thus, a common characteristic of our D is that we're leakier on the edges (particularly against the run) until our LEO develops enough to be able to handle BOTH his coverage responsibilities AND his responsibilities of setting the edge. When Niemann's play was iffy in '16 ... it showed up in blazing colors. When Edmund Miles played LEO in '05 ... despite the quality of his high-end speed ... he lost outside leverage way too often ... and we lost games we shouldn't have lost that year (the Michigan game is particularly vivid in my memory).

Perhaps Phil Parker is now willing to make increasing use of sub-packages ... so that we might use an Amani Hooker-like safety to play the role of the LEO against pass-oriented teams (based on offensive formation and down-and-distance). If this is the case, then possibly the load of the LEO can be somewhat lightened ... at least while the LEO is a more inexperienced player. It also might allow our D to have fewer susceptibilities. Of course, for this to be a sustainable strategy ... we need to make sure that we can consistently get the safeties who fit Phil's schemes (and his vision). Right now we might be benefitting from an embarrassment of riches ... having high quality guys like Snyder, Hooker, and Stone ... and perhaps Craddieth will earn his name of this list too. However, guys like Nico Law and Miles Taylor were both talented guys ... but their execution in our system was frequently inconsistent. Thus, this tells me that it's not always easy to find the "right guys."

 

[DodgerHawki]

I said that when they played K Ward during the season and got ripped. And at that time we were only chasing a juco.

Do the coaches feel they are in good shape with 3 or 4 good ones in the '19 class?

Offering Bruner was a mistake...it's that simple.

Probably a combination of not getting Honas and Van Sumeren and the staff not knowing for sure whether the returning guys are ready to play at a high level, for the reasons for so many LB being brought in. There are fans of all the 2017 backup LB's on here, but the truth is none of them has ever played enough for flashed enough in spring action to say anything definitive.

I would not be surprised if 2 of the newcomers play ST at a minimum, and 1 of them end up starting this year. Who they are, I don't know.

 

[Herkmeister]

I don't think thats the case overall. Haven't heard much about Wade, but the staff seems pretty high on Niemann, Mends, Colbert, and Welch, who I think has moved ahead of Hockaday at the Mike. Some other interesting athletes in Weiland and Taylor. As someone else posted, we could get several players out of that group of walk ons, at LB, TE, DE?

I agree with you Kceasthawk. Fascinating thread however.

One of the early posts stated our backup LB's have not developed. I've not viewed it in this context because of the stability and longevity of our graduated LB's. In fact, I thought Welch looked great when he replaced JJ.

I'm also excited about the speed of Jayden McDonald. And Nick Niemann was gleaning some serious praise about his speed. And he made some serious hits on special teams that drew my attention. In fact, he has already exceeded my expectations. (Which may show how little I know.)

I'm an eternal optimist, but I'm really excited to watch our LB's this year. We have a super solid D Line in front to support them and strong DB's. I'm pulling for Jones to get some time because I think he may truly hurt some people. I'm pulling big time for Mends because he's a hitter who has paid his dues and frankly he's very much earned my respect.

I just don't see a change in defensive philosophy. And as for a recruiting philosophy change, aside from the number of PWO's, our staff is still trying to recruit as many young men as they can with the right character to and work ethic to feel our needs. To me it's still BAU.

But I've enjoyed reading the other perspectives.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

One of the early posts stated our backup LB's have not developed. I've not viewed it in this context because of the stability and longevity of our graduated LB's. In fact, I thought Welch looked great when he replaced JJ.

I'm also excited about the speed of Jayden McDonald. And Nick Niemann was gleaning some serious praise about his speed. And he made some serious hits on special teams that drew my attention. In fact, he has already exceeded my expectations. (Which may show how little I know.)

I'm an eternal optimist, but I'm really excited to watch our LB's this year. We have a super solid D Line in front to support them and strong DB's. I'm pulling for Jones to get some time because I think he may truly hurt some people. I'm pulling big time for Mends because he's a hitter who has paid his dues and frankly he's very much earned my respect.

I just don't see a change in defensive philosophy. And as for a recruiting philosophy change, aside from the number of PWO's, our staff is still trying to recruit as many young men as they can with the right character to and work ethic to feel our needs. To me it's still BAU.

But I've enjoyed reading the other perspectives.

While guys haven't necessarily seen a ton of positional action, it is worthwhile noting that Mends, Jones, and Nick Niemann were special teams regulars. Furthermore, Hockaday and Welsh have seen special teams reps too ... AND 2 years ago Hockaday saw high-quality game reps ... and Welsh looked good in his limited position reps this year.

 

[Harbinger273]

We should still look at a transfer. I guess he'd likely end up playing in 19.

 

[SansSouci]

Early on it seems like we had Bruner ... but then we didn't. Then we landed Doyle ... but we weren't seemingly going all that hard after LBs.

Ultimately, it seemed like we felt pretty comfortable about our chances of landing VanSumeren and Honas. Of course, Michigan poached VanSumeren ... and a sudden "Frost" came out of Nebraska and spoiled our chances with Honas.

At the end of the day, in addition to Doyle, we land 2 classic "under the radar" LBs from the midwest ... and we get a somewhat more highly touted "speed" LB out of Georgia. On top of all that ... we got something like a billion walk-on LBs.

So what was up? We knew that we were graduating 4 LBs who were at the top of the depth chart. We knew that a talented guy in Hockaday has been consistently dinged for well over a year now. So why didn't we demonstrate greater urgency with our LB recruiting earlier?

Was it simply because we didn't anticipate having so much attrition ... so we simply didn't believe that we had enough 'ships to give?

Was it a shift in LB recruiting philosophy? Do we want to keep the "gems" in our back-yard under the radar ... and then snatch more of them up at walk-ons ... or late additions? Just look at recent history ... 3 of the best LBs in the entire midwest this past season were Jewell (Iowa), Lanning (ISU), and Van Ginkel (Wisconsin) ... all of whom were Iowa natives ... all of whom were WAY under the radar. Even Minnesota snatched a pretty productive LB from Iowa, in Poock, a few years back (he was a regular starter for them before injuries and the coaching change). Ferentz mentioned that he thought that we could recruit the midwest better ... is this even a step towards us recruiting our own back-yard better?

Folks on this board know me ... you know that I'm not unhappy with the guys who have chosen to become Hawks. Quite to the contrary ... I'm ecstatic about their decisions to join by beloved team. However, it doesn't mean that I haven't found Iowa's LB recruiting this past recruiting season more than a little puzzling.

Any thoughts?

It's Iowa, dont expect to be wowed with recruiting. Did you think because Iowa offered it was a done deal? Are you new to Iowa football? You're not used to getting burned every year on recruits? You know the answers, don't play dumb.

Kirk will make great men of these recruits and will help them be successful in life or on the field. However, as fans we won't have the luxuries of football factories with wins.

I think some of these kids are making mistakes chasing bowls instead if getting playing time and mastering the skills needed to succeed in the NFL. You'll get coached up at Iowa, they don't have a choice or options