David Bell hits nail on the head describing his own recruitment at Iowa.

[Harbinger273]

Great article this morning on David Bell our long time WR recruiting target for Swarm19. Here he talks about several things he needs to see from the Hawks this upcoming season, when he will take OV's and commit and what the competition has for him should he choose a program other than Iowa. We are still in the mix.

“Iowa has to prove they can actually throw the ball,” the 4-star 2019 wide receiver told Land of 10’s Ryan Donnelly on May 10. “In previous years, they’ve just been a run team.” David Bell

 

[DaCDiggity]

Great article this morning on David Bell our long time WR recruiting target for Swarm19. Here he talks about several things he needs to see from the Hawks this upcoming season, when he will take OV's and commit and what the competition has for him should he choose a program other than Iowa. We are still in the mix.

View embedded media

“Iowa has to prove they can actually throw the ball,” the 4-star 2019 wide receiver told Land of 10’s Ryan Donnelly on May 10. “In previous years, they’ve just been a run team.” David Bell

Hope he doesn't get the pro style offense confused with the fact that we run to set up the pass ...not saying our passing game wasnt abysmal at times last season tho lol. Would stanzi djk and mcnutt era be considered actually being able to throw the ball for him?

 

[Harbinger273]

Like most I think he recognizes that our passing attack leaves something to be desired. He wants to be the guy on the outside and hes very capable.
Some good little info in Britt in the article as well. His top programs are Iowa, Indiana and Purdue. Likes the idea of staying instate but Also loves Iowa.

 

[Stormn Norman]

Well dang! Lol that’s why they want you to come there to help in that category. We all saw Nate make some good throws and we all saw the Wr’s, Rb’s and Te’s make some good catches last year & we saw some not so good too.. I guess there’s no room for a step back this year in Iowa’s air attack as big time recruits have it under their microscope! Heres to taking that fwd step that possible furture contributers want to see in the Iowa passing game!

 

[anon_i8nzeu2gbf0ba]

I imagine the young man is talking about a coherent passing attack that is consistent, aggressive, and creative from game to game and season to season. Iowa has seldom shown that, but it has the weapons to do it this season and beyond. As always, it's on KF and, now, his OC, to make it happen.

I appreciate the young Mr. Bell telling the truth that many of us on this board have been discussing for most of the KF era. The young man has a little more leverage than this board, so maybe KF and company will finally get the message.

And BTW: Be sure Bell has a copy of last season's Ohio State game but never sees the Purdue or Wisconsin or MSU or Northwestern tapes....

 

[DodgerHawki]

Hope he doesn't get the pro style offense confused with the fact that we run to set up the pass ...not saying our passing game wasnt abysmal at times last season tho lol. Would stanzi djk and mcnutt era be considered actually being able to throw the ball for him?

Yes, for sure Iowa was very good throwing the ball that year. But pointing to something 7 years ago might as well be 50 years ago given the age of the people being recruited. Biggest thing to happen that could sway Bell would be ISM and/or Smith making some big plays and Iowa being consistent in the passing game. They don't have to be Air Raid, but consistently competent.

 

[01Hawk05]

Can't say I blame the kid, but don't expect anything to change.

Iowa will rely on a strong run game as long as KF is the coach. Honestly, how can anyone argue with that. Its something he has made successful in the fertile recruiting land we live in.

The passing game will be a complement of the running game and when the running game goes south, so does the passing game. Play action is Iowa's go to and when we aren't running the ball it makes play action less effective and puts them in predictable passing situations. Don't ever expect Iowa to just lineup in shotgun and start slinging it. Its not what Iowa is built for and they wouldn't get very far trying to do that.

I guess if you want Iowa's passing game to be more effective, don't root for us to become less of a running team, we should become more of a running team.

Sucks losing out on kids like this, but after reading that quote he is probably already gone. Iowa will always be more of a running team.

 

[TailgateTom]

As a prospective student athlete, I don't think I'd be publicly questioning a highly successful D1 staff, and their game day decisions.

 

[Herkmeister]

We got big old QB's now with big old arms and an OC who's changing.

I think he'll see we throw it this year. Plus with the pressure on DB's due to our TE's, the WR's could be really exciting.

 

[FlickShagwell]

Would stanzi djk and mcnutt era be considered actually being able to throw the ball for him?

While that seems like just yesterday for us, he would’ve been in the second grade then. To a junior in high school, that’s an eternity ago.

 

[David1979]

Great article this morning on David Bell our long time WR recruiting target for Swarm19. Here he talks about several things he needs to see from the Hawks this upcoming season, when he will take OV's and commit and what the competition has for him should he choose a program other than Iowa. We are still in the mix.

View embedded media

“Iowa has to prove they can actually throw the ball,” the 4-star 2019 wide receiver told Land of 10’s Ryan Donnelly on May 10. “In previous years, they’ve just been a run team.” David Bell

Well, he must be listening to the negative recruiting then. They throw the ball 50% of the time it is just that lately they haven't had any good outside receivers. Of course if he wants to go to a majority passing team then he can go to Purdue.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Too bad David Bell isn't recognizing that he could be part of the solution as it relates Iowa's passing game. The past 2 years, Iowa has had A LOT of personnel issues at WR that has impacted the production of our passing game. Just in 2014 we passed for over 3000 yards and in 2015 we passed in the ball-park of 2800 yards. In 2011, we had a 1000+ yard WR in McNutt.

In 2018 we had a first year starter at QB and a first year OC ... and yet our passing O still accounted for 27 passing TDs. Unfortunately, I think that David Bell will end up missing the boat ... because the Iowa passing game WILL continue to improve. However, there may not be WR spots available by the time he realizes he wants to jump aboard.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Well, he must be listening to the negative recruiting then. They throw the ball 50% of the time it is just that lately they haven't had any good outside receivers. Of course if he wants to go to a majority passing team then he can go to Purdue.

Purdue may like passing the ball - but their O is also predicated upon using the run to set up the pass too. Purdue's passing yardage wasn't significantly more impressive than Iowa's .... and they ended up getting fewer passing TDs too.

 

[MepoDawg#]

Mr. Bell, come to Iowa and help be the solution to the problem. Just look at DJK, McNutt, and KMM.

Iowa isn’t going to change the offense and balanced attack any time soon, but good receivers do well at Iowa if they know how to get open and can catch the ball, that’s been proven. The problem is Iowa hasn’t had many receivers who are the solution. If Bell comes here he could be the difference maker instead of at the other schools where he’ll be just another body.

 

[Pepperman]

I've posted this before and it is a lightening rod for sure, but here's what I think he's saying:

When I watch Iowa play offense, it doesn't look like fun to me.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

It's amazing how different people can look at this and read different things. D. Bell wasnt questioning the staff he was saying "I'm likely to go to the NFL, I want to go to a place that is going to utilize me and prepare me the best to get to the NFL". Fwiw his exact comments are what makes the fact we dont land STUD(I'm talking 4 and 5 stars) running backs every year a head shaker. Here is my take away. WE AS FANS ARE IN FOR A VERY EXCITING SEASON. The Defense has been the breadwinner for years and everyone in the country knows they are going to at least take half a step back early. We have wanted a more potent offense since forever. Brian your playing for your career. It has been said many ways "Brian will be KFs last OC" etc. Its time for the offense and realistically this staff to put up or shut up. Defense may win championships but Iowa hasnt won Richard and it isnt exciting to watch(yet). The fans have said it, now you have a very well spoken, very talented recruit, saying "prove it". David is a smart enough guy he doesnt need to see a "well oiled machine" but he wants to at least see a good running motor. After year 1 with Brian about the best you can say is "it was ok". You dont get 2 years of "its ok" when every team in the west is advancing. We may or may not get david bell but whatever punches Brian has hes gonna have to throw them this year and as a fan, that's exciting.

 

[Stormn Norman]

I've posted this before and it is a lightening rod for sure, but here's what I think he's saying:

When I watch Iowa play offense, it doesn't look like fun to me.

I would rephrase it just a bit to: when i watch Iowa play offense, it doesn’t ALWAYS look fun to me. Because at times on some occasions Iowa looked fun on O.. (plz don’t remind anyone of Wisconsin & Purdue, GROSS!)

Now Bell’s lineman team mate on the the other hand has to rack his brain in the other direction.. he has to sit there & ask his self, why the heck Wouldn’t I go to IOWA as a offensive lineman!

 

[FlickShagwell]

I've posted this before and it is a lightening rod for sure, but here's what I think he's saying:

When I watch Iowa play offense, it doesn't look like fun to me.

I said it many times on the 12 Saturdays Podcast: every yard gained is a miracle.

 

[hawkfeever]

Great article this morning on David Bell our long time WR recruiting target for Swarm19. Here he talks about several things he needs to see from the Hawks this upcoming season, when he will take OV's and commit and what the competition has for him should he choose a program other than Iowa. We are still in the mix.

View embedded media

“Iowa has to prove they can actually throw the ball,” the 4-star 2019 wide receiver told Land of 10’s Ryan Donnelly on May 10. “In previous years, they’ve just been a run team.” David Bell

Um, we are a ball control balanced team. In Kirk and Brian's world a 50/50 mix would be just right. If he wants a passing team then go to the Big 12 with their spread options where the run is secondary.

 

[hawkfeever]

We got big old QB's now with big old arms and an OC who's changing.

I think he'll see we throw it this year. Plus with the pressure on DB's due to our TE's, the WR's could be really exciting.

We were throwing it, we just weren't always connecting on it. NS had a number of just barely overthrows which would have been TDs. The WR talent level was down due to inexperience. Vandeberg was just coming off injury and maybe cause it was a different QB but just seemed off a little bit from the prior year (before his injury). Iowa will never be a 2/3 pass 1/3 run system. It is an NFL type system.

 

[pharmdfd]

OSU game showed we throw and on first down. TE success showed we throw the ball and having Fant running deep posts showed our lack of a deep threat at WR. If he has talent he will succeed in Iowa’s offense especially on play action. Might run it 5-6 times in a row but it only takes 1 play action pass for a long TD.

 

[Rustys Dad]

Bell's comment doesn't give me a lot of confidence we will see him in black and gold. Iowa is going to run the same offense that it's run ... forever ... Anything is possible when it comes to recruiting ... in this case ... I don't see us winning out ... I hope like heck I am wrong.

 

[OutbackBowl2017]

The kid wants to go to Iowa is what he is saying. Iowa just needs to give him a reason to pull the trigger and I think we will see that this year with much improved wide receiver play and a large number of very good tight ends that can be lined up at wr too.

Add in Iowa is very young in the backfield so BF will lean more on the passing game this year to let his running backs get their feet underneath them. This should lead to the commitment of Bell and Britt, then throw in Brock too due to the lack of rb depth.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

Nobody, including David, is asking to be a 70% pass team. The guy isnt comparing us to "pass happy teams" all the teams in his list are "pro style" teams. What he wants to see is a competent passing game. I'm going to go out on a limb and say if NS4 has an above 63% completion percentage we 1)play in a new years 6 and 2) get bell and britt.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

The kid wants to go to Iowa is what he is saying. Iowa just needs to give him a reason to pull the trigger and I think we will see that this year with much improved wide receiver play and a large number of very good tight ends that can be lined up at wr too.

Add in Iowa is very young in the backfield so BF will lean more on the passing game this year to let his running backs get their feet underneath them. This should lead to the commitment of Bell and Britt, then throw in Brock too due to the lack of rb depth.

This x1000000

 

[David1979]

Nobody, including David, is asking to be a 70% pass team. The guy isnt comparing us to "pass happy teams" all the teams in his list are "pro style" teams. What he wants to see is a competent passing game. I'm going to go out on a limb and say if NS4 has an above 63% completion percentage we 1)play in a new years 6 and 2) get bell and britt.

That isn't what he said though. He said Iowa is a running team.

 

[TheHawkeyeDudeAbides]

Ohio State is blowing smoke up David's butt about major potential losses at WR position and significant PT in the early days. 2019 class has a WR commitment from Garret Wilson and a strong pull on Marcus Washington (St. Louis area). True freshmen Kamryn Babb, Cameron Brown, Chris Olave, and Blue Smith will be around for at least two of his first years if he goes to tOSU. True sophomores Jaylen Harris and Trevon Grimes are potential starters come his freshman year. tOSU's cupboard is not bare and even true freshman there having a learning curve and usually have low numbers , same as ISM and Brandon Smith at Iowa. Iowa needs to show growth of about an additional 50 yards of passing and 80 yards total offense per game, statistics wise.

This additional can be achieved easily by ISM simply making a couple of catches of those drops from last year. Drop the phone ISM and focus.

tOSU was 68th passing at 263 yards pg where Iowa was 187th at 190 ypg. tOSU had more yards per game due to number of offensive reps(tempo), dual threat qb with experience, and offensive production. Iowa's passing game was close to Wisconsin last year, with Wisconsin being the stronger rushing team. Another 50 to 60 yards in passing yards per game puts Iowa at around 240 to 250 yards per game and about 3 to 5 extra first downs per game. This could be just as simple as making a couple of catches on 8 to 10 yard crossing routes during the course of the game. Stanley's and the receiving corps' growth should make that happen this year. Expect more production this Fall season.

Alaric Jackson and Tristan Wirfs will have more OL game experience and if Iowa can find some strength in the interior OL, Stanley will be stand upright a lot more.

Bell would more likely see early PT at Iowa and more quality time due to the quality depth comparison. Granted, tOSU uses alot more 3 WRs sets where Iowa uses 2 WRs most of the time. tOSU one big deficiency, as of late, is their lack of QB development. Barrett went undrafted and Cardale Jones is a third string backup in the NFL. Braxton Miller moved to WR in the NFL. Iowa's stable has been a little better and looks stronger. tOSU WR resume is stronger than Iowa but not by player development in program. More by gathering a lot of top end (4 and 5 star) HS recruits. Plug and play Ohio State. No respect for Urban Meyer.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

That isn't what he said though. He said Iowa is a running team.

Iowa gets labelled a "running team" because they don't complete 100% of the passes but 100% of the runs get noticed.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

We are going to see alot more passes if we can sustain drives and considering teams were literally teeing off on our run game the drives will come with completion percentage. Please dont take anything I'm saying as negative, Brian has a chance to write a new script and this kid is flat out saying we are in the running.

 

[BlackNGoldBleeder]

I'm a little surprised by many of these comments.

The kid is only saying what practically every Iowa fan gripes about during the season: the role of an Iowa receiver needs to extend beyond downfield blocking and running 5-yard outs.

My interpretation is the kid is really interested in Iowa. He is not saying he expects Ferentz to change the offense to a 5 wide, full-fledged aerial assault (how people are reading that is beyond me). He is simply saying he wants to see consistent improvement from the Greg Davis days of 3-yard comeback routes on 3rd and 7.

This is a kid (out of state) with major offers showing sincere interest in Iowa while expressing honest reservations that are completely reasonable. If you have a problem with it, then you are clearly one of those fans who don't get it.

 

[Buck2427]

Like most I think he recognizes that our passing attack leaves something to be desired. He wants to be the guy on the outside and hes very capable.
Some good little info in Britt in the article as well. His top programs are Iowa, Indiana and Purdue. Likes the idea of staying instate but Also loves Iowa.

I think Ohio State is also in the running....http://www.bucksinsider.com/2018/05...-buckeyes-will-host-4-star-wr-for-visit-soon/

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

Check out @Landof10Iowa’s Tweet:

Good article about play calling.

 

[myteamcanbeatupyourteam]

Great article this morning on David Bell our long time WR recruiting target for Swarm19. Here he talks about several things he needs to see from the Hawks this upcoming season, when he will take OV's and commit and what the competition has for him should he choose a program other than Iowa. We are still in the mix.

View embedded media

“Iowa has to prove they can actually throw the ball,” the 4-star 2019 wide receiver told Land of 10’s Ryan Donnelly on May 10. “In previous years, they’ve just been a run team.” David Bell

Well, guess what? You are going to see a balanced attack half run, half pass. Like they have always done at Iowa.
So if what you are actually saying is wanting to see Iowa throw 40-45 times a game, you'd be better served moving on. That's not happening at Iowa.

 

[Buck2427]

Ohio State is blowing smoke up David's butt about major potential losses at WR position and significant PT in the early days. 2019 class has a WR commitment from Garret Wilson and a strong pull on Marcus Washington (St. Louis area). True freshmen Kamryn Babb, Cameron Brown, Chris Olave, and Blue Smith will be around for at least two of his first years if he goes to tOSU. True sophomores Jaylen Harris and Trevon Grimes are potential starters come his freshman year. tOSU's cupboard is not bare and even true freshman there having a learning curve and usually have low numbers , same as ISM and Brandon Smith at Iowa. Iowa needs to show growth of about an additional 50 yards of passing and 80 yards total offense per game, statistics wise.

This additional can be achieved easily by ISM simply making a couple of catches of those drops from last year. Drop the phone ISM and focus.

tOSU was 68th passing at 263 yards pg where Iowa was 187th at 190 ypg. tOSU had more yards per game due to number of offensive reps(tempo), dual threat qb with experience, and offensive production. Iowa's passing game was close to Wisconsin last year, with Wisconsin being the stronger rushing team. Another 50 to 60 yards in passing yards per game puts Iowa at around 240 to 250 yards per game and about 3 to 5 extra first downs per game. This could be just as simple as making a couple of catches on 8 to 10 yard crossing routes during the course of the game. Stanley's and the receiving corps' growth should make that happen this year. Expect more production this Fall season.

Alaric Jackson and Tristan Wirfs will have more OL game experience and if Iowa can find some strength in the interior OL, Stanley will be stand upright a lot more.

Bell would more likely see early PT at Iowa and more quality time due to the quality depth comparison. Granted, tOSU uses alot more 3 WRs sets where Iowa uses 2 WRs most of the time. tOSU one big deficiency, as of late, is their lack of QB development. Barrett went undrafted and Cardale Jones is a third string backup in the NFL. Braxton Miller moved to WR in the NFL. Iowa's stable has been a little better and looks stronger. tOSU WR resume is stronger than Iowa but not by player development in program. More by gathering a lot of top end (4 and 5 star) HS recruits. Plug and play Ohio State. No respect for Urban Meyer.

So, you're saying that players just come to OSU and they automatically are plug and play? So Larry Johnson doesn't teach his D-Lineman techniques or former DB coach Kerry Combs didn't teach our corner's how to play the game, they just showed up and because they were 4 or 5 stars , they were All-Americans without any coaching?
OSU is losing Paris Campbell, Terry Mc Lauren, Johnny Dixon and KJ Hill to graduation and if Benjamin Victor and Austin Mack have decent seasons, they're both draft eligible, so we could lose up to 6 of our top WR's after this season. It's not blowing smoke up this kid's butt, if he's good enough, he could come in and start.....BTW..Trevon Grimes transferred to Florida to be closer to his family.

 

[BlackNGoldBleeder]

We are going to see alot more passes if we can sustain drives and considering tees were literally teeing off on our run game the drives will come with completion percentage. Please dont take anything I'm saying as negative, Brian has a chance to write a new script and this kid is flat out saying we are in the running.

Exactly.

The problem hasn't been so much that Iowa runs the ball way more than they pass. The problem, when the offense was stagnant, which was quite a bit last season, was the predictability of the play calling and not breaking tendencies of 1st and 2nd Down runs then passes out of the shotgun on 3rd and 9.

In fairness, part of the problem last season was pass blocking, which prevented Iowa from being able to let plays develop downfield, so obviously that limited any sort of "vertical attack" they might have wanted to employ. However, I think a lot of the pass blocking woes (besides youth and injuries) were also due to defenses being comfortable in scheming against Iowa and having no fear of Iowa WRs stretching the field.

So, while some it may be Xs and Os and breaking in a 1st year OC, some of it was also personnel. In order for Iowa to take the proverbial step forward this year (on the field and with WR recruiting), Iowa needs guys like Brandon Smith and ISM to step up and make some plays downfield.

 

[Johnsoda123]

So, you're saying that players just come to OSU and they automatically are plug and play? So Larry Johnson doesn't teach his D-Lineman techniques or former DB coach Kerry Combs didn't teach our corner's how to play the game, they just showed up and because they were 4 or 5 stars , they were All-Americans without any coaching?
OSU is losing Paris Campbell, Terry Mc Lauren, Johnny Dixon and KJ Hill to graduation and if Benjamin Victor and Austin Mack have decent seasons, they're both draft eligible, so we could lose up to 6 of our top WR's after this season. It's not blowing smoke up this kid's butt, if he's good enough, he could come in and start.....BTW..Trevon Grimes transferred to Florida to be closer to his family.

I'll let someone like Homer do the deep dive on this. Of course OSU coaches and develops players. But you are usually starting with kids that are more athletic and physically developed than Iowa.

 

[BlackNGoldBleeder]

Well, guess what? You are going to see a balanced attack half run, half pass. Like they have always done at Iowa.
So if what you are actually saying is wanting to see Iowa throw 40-45 times a game, you'd be better served moving on. That's not happening at Iowa.

That's not what the kid is saying.

 

[kceasthawk]

I imagine the young man is talking about a coherent passing attack that is consistent, aggressive, and creative from game to game and season to season. Iowa has seldom shown that, but it has the weapons to do it this season and beyond. As always, it's on KF and, now, his OC, to make it happen.

I appreciate the young Mr. Bell telling the truth that many of us on this board have been discussing for most of the KF era. The young man has a little more leverage than this board, so maybe KF and company will finally get the message.

And BTW: Be sure Bell has a copy of last season's Ohio State game but never sees the Purdue or Wisconsin or MSU or Northwestern tapes....

Exactly. We need some top end WR's to take the top off of the defense. Stanley threw 26 TD's last season while having almost no deep threat whatsoever. ISM has the speed, but he and Nate were not in sync on the long stuff last year. We do know that Stanley can put the ball out there. We just need a couple of guys who can go and get it. While I realize that the Hawks under KF will feature the run, a solid deep threat to balance with the TE's, will open up the running lanes as well.

 

[BlackNGoldBleeder]

So, you're saying that players just come to OSU and they automatically are plug and play? So Larry Johnson doesn't teach his D-Lineman techniques or former DB coach Kerry Combs didn't teach our corner's how to play the game, they just showed up and because they were 4 or 5 stars , they were All-Americans without any coaching?
OSU is losing Paris Campbell, Terry Mc Lauren, Johnny Dixon and KJ Hill to graduation and if Benjamin Victor and Austin Mack have decent seasons, they're both draft eligible, so we could lose up to 6 of our top WR's after this season. It's not blowing smoke up this kid's butt, if he's good enough, he could come in and start.....BTW..Trevon Grimes transferred to Florida to be closer to his family.

I don't know if he is saying OSU players don't develop and get coached, but Urban Meyer blowing smoke (and his reputation of being a total douche bag dating back to his days at Florida and probably long before then) is a sentiment commonly shared around the country. A sentiment that is likely not without merit.

 

[Birky]

Iowa can’t throw the ball, because they don’t have David Bell. David Bell won’t come to Iowa, because they can’t throw the ball.

It’s a vicious cycle.