Hunter Henry, Jake Duzey are top CFB TEs to watch in 2015
2. Jake Duzey, Iowa
After leading Big Ten tight ends in receptions last season, it is reasonable to expect another jump in production for the athletic tight end. Duzey, a three-year basketball letterman in high school, is a fluid athlete with an ability to accelerate off the line of scrimmage and put slower linebackers in a trailing position. Iowa expects tight ends to be able to block and Duzey needs work in that area, but as a move tight end, he is a difficult matchup down the field.
Look at what TE Maxx Williams meant to Minnesota last year and in the train-wreak loss over Iowa?
Other seniors that need to step up (NFL prospects) ...
With better centers and DEs in the Big Ten, C Austin Blythe and DE Drew Ott will need to lead Iowa to likely move their draft status higher and higher in 2015. Senior leadership is highly important. Iowa has more senior leadership in 2015, than last year's 7-6 team.
"7-6 by no means is a landing point. It’s more of a launching point. It shares the same record with the worst record I had at my previous institution. After we went 7-6 on my last stop, we went on to win ten games every year, three straight championships, and had a lot of success. I see a lot of the same things coming for us here, but the bottom line is you’ve got to make them happen.” - Former Iowa assistant, now Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema
By the way, Wisconsin was 7-6 at his last stop. Iowa is coming off a 7-6 season and a real need for a rebound. The formula has worked before in the B1G West. The program we are chasing has ebbed and flowed up and down, just like Iowa over the years, since 1981.
DT Jaleel Johnson and CB Desmond King are only juniors. They have a bright future ahead, but it would be even better that that future breakouts in 2015. The same can be said for QB C.J. Beathard.
FS Jordan Lomax needs to be a breakout guy as a senior, as well. He is the veteran of the Back 7 for the Hawkeyes, along with junior King. The only senior starter likely in the Back 7.
In 1997, a team at Michigan used a quarterback - TE combination into a Big Ten Championship. No one suspects a Title for Iowa, but a Division run and finish would be a nice twist, using a similar combination that Lloyd Carr used in 1997.
Can C.J. Beathard be a poor-man's Brian Griese?
Does everyone remember all-American TE Jerame Tuman in 1997 leading the Michigan receiving corp?
The Top WRs back for Michigan were Tai Streets and Russell Shaw. Not the highest household names in Wolverine football history.
Iowa has more than just Duzey at TE, as well. Iowa needs senior WR Tevaun Smith to step up, along with others.
Of course, Iowa doesn't have a Charles Woodson. That would be needed to compete with the top Big Ten teams, but Iowa competes now in the B1G West. So, they have a group of seniors, juniors and youngsters that have an opportunity to compete with Wisconsin, Nebraska, Minnesota, Northwestern, Illinois and Purdue.
The formula Michigan used for success can win in 1997 can be a path for Iowa to win the B1G West in 2015. BTW, the 1997 Michigan team lost three lineman to the NFL draft, like Iowa entering into 2015. Michigan began 1997 with only one offensive lineman that had started a game previously in the OL.
Michigan entered 1997 with the toughest schedule in the College Football. Iowa doesn't, which is completely different, but it should aid Iowa using a similar formula.
Have to share the following about Michigan in 1997:
Michigan had its closest contest of the year in week six, as Iowa scored 21 points in the second quarter to take a 21–7 halftime lead. The Wolverines responded by outscoring the Hawkeyes 21–3 in the second half to win the game by a final score of 28–24.
Iowa's scoring was fueled by four plays resulting in gains of more than 50 yards.
What hurt Michigan vs. Iowa was giving up big plays to the Hawkeyes. Iowa needs to improve in 2015 vs. explosive plays on the defensive side of the football. On offense, Iowa needs to be more consistent and explosive, chunk plays need to increase, as well. Better special teams will be needed, as well.
By the way, Jake Duzey is a Michigan native.
Led Big Ten tight ends with 36 receptions . . . 85-yard scoring reception at Ohio State in 2013 ranks as ninth longest scoring reception in school history, including second longest reception by a tight end . . . 138 receiving yards at Ohio State in 2013 are most by a tight end under Coach Kirk Ferentz.
2. Jake Duzey, Iowa
After leading Big Ten tight ends in receptions last season, it is reasonable to expect another jump in production for the athletic tight end. Duzey, a three-year basketball letterman in high school, is a fluid athlete with an ability to accelerate off the line of scrimmage and put slower linebackers in a trailing position. Iowa expects tight ends to be able to block and Duzey needs work in that area, but as a move tight end, he is a difficult matchup down the field.
Look at what TE Maxx Williams meant to Minnesota last year and in the train-wreak loss over Iowa?
Other seniors that need to step up (NFL prospects) ...
With better centers and DEs in the Big Ten, C Austin Blythe and DE Drew Ott will need to lead Iowa to likely move their draft status higher and higher in 2015. Senior leadership is highly important. Iowa has more senior leadership in 2015, than last year's 7-6 team.
"7-6 by no means is a landing point. It’s more of a launching point. It shares the same record with the worst record I had at my previous institution. After we went 7-6 on my last stop, we went on to win ten games every year, three straight championships, and had a lot of success. I see a lot of the same things coming for us here, but the bottom line is you’ve got to make them happen.” - Former Iowa assistant, now Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema
By the way, Wisconsin was 7-6 at his last stop. Iowa is coming off a 7-6 season and a real need for a rebound. The formula has worked before in the B1G West. The program we are chasing has ebbed and flowed up and down, just like Iowa over the years, since 1981.
- Iowa is 28th, since 1981 under Fry and Ferentz
- Wisconsin is tied for 30th under more coaches, since 1981
DT Jaleel Johnson and CB Desmond King are only juniors. They have a bright future ahead, but it would be even better that that future breakouts in 2015. The same can be said for QB C.J. Beathard.
FS Jordan Lomax needs to be a breakout guy as a senior, as well. He is the veteran of the Back 7 for the Hawkeyes, along with junior King. The only senior starter likely in the Back 7.
In 1997, a team at Michigan used a quarterback - TE combination into a Big Ten Championship. No one suspects a Title for Iowa, but a Division run and finish would be a nice twist, using a similar combination that Lloyd Carr used in 1997.
Can C.J. Beathard be a poor-man's Brian Griese?
Does everyone remember all-American TE Jerame Tuman in 1997 leading the Michigan receiving corp?
The Top WRs back for Michigan were Tai Streets and Russell Shaw. Not the highest household names in Wolverine football history.
Iowa has more than just Duzey at TE, as well. Iowa needs senior WR Tevaun Smith to step up, along with others.
Of course, Iowa doesn't have a Charles Woodson. That would be needed to compete with the top Big Ten teams, but Iowa competes now in the B1G West. So, they have a group of seniors, juniors and youngsters that have an opportunity to compete with Wisconsin, Nebraska, Minnesota, Northwestern, Illinois and Purdue.
The formula Michigan used for success can win in 1997 can be a path for Iowa to win the B1G West in 2015. BTW, the 1997 Michigan team lost three lineman to the NFL draft, like Iowa entering into 2015. Michigan began 1997 with only one offensive lineman that had started a game previously in the OL.
Michigan entered 1997 with the toughest schedule in the College Football. Iowa doesn't, which is completely different, but it should aid Iowa using a similar formula.
Have to share the following about Michigan in 1997:
Michigan had its closest contest of the year in week six, as Iowa scored 21 points in the second quarter to take a 21–7 halftime lead. The Wolverines responded by outscoring the Hawkeyes 21–3 in the second half to win the game by a final score of 28–24.
Iowa's scoring was fueled by four plays resulting in gains of more than 50 yards.
What hurt Michigan vs. Iowa was giving up big plays to the Hawkeyes. Iowa needs to improve in 2015 vs. explosive plays on the defensive side of the football. On offense, Iowa needs to be more consistent and explosive, chunk plays need to increase, as well. Better special teams will be needed, as well.
By the way, Jake Duzey is a Michigan native.
Led Big Ten tight ends with 36 receptions . . . 85-yard scoring reception at Ohio State in 2013 ranks as ninth longest scoring reception in school history, including second longest reception by a tight end . . . 138 receiving yards at Ohio State in 2013 are most by a tight end under Coach Kirk Ferentz.
