Opening statement:
KF notes the irony of the "brisk" weather today after one of the nicer springs he's had. Spring football an important phase — evaluating football skills, attitude, work ethic, concentration, etc. Hardly a finished product, but real improvement over the last few weeks — more individual-by-individual growth than "a cohesive thing," especially with injuries and circumstances keeping some out. "A lot of work to do, a big leadership void to fill."
Last season was "one of the worst kicking exhibitions," but Stevens and Blom have both performed great. Feels like they have two guys they can trust now.
Q: More individual or cohesive growth on the offensive line this spring?
Challenges with cohesion with Mason Richman out, Connor Colby "another mishap" but he's expected back soon. Mike Myslinski out, Daijon Parker injured after one practice. Seven healthy linemen after Parker's injury, but "we've been able to gain some ground coming back." Beau Stephens and Gennings Dunker in particular making the most of their time on the field in spring practice.
Q: How to evaluate Cade McNamara when he's not playing 11-on-11?
Excited to bring McNamara in after seeing him play in the B1GCG — happy to have him in the room and work with him now. A lot of the characteristics you look for in a QB — has on-field success on his resume. An earned confidence and an edge. Clearly the starter, not a debate.
Q: Tight end room as deep as it looks?
Luke Lachey stepped up in Sam LaPorta's injury absence late last season — maturing physically and in confidence. Lachey and Erick All have hit it off.
Q: Pittman and Graves stepping in at DT?
Similar to linebacker depth issues last spring — DTs Logan Lee and Noah Shannon out coming off of surgery, an opportunity for Jeremiah Pittman and Aaron Graves. Graves played well last year, taking a step forward this year.
Just gonna quote this part: "[Graves] just goes so hard. It's unusual for a guy that young to have that kind of tempo, but that's just how he's wired. It's every day. Like he's just got one speed, which is fun."
Pittman one of the more improved guys on the team — great kid, good confidence in Pittman this year, moreso than last.
Q: How does Hayden Large get to Iowa?
KF surprised to learn a kid named Hayden had no UI connection. Fullback Eli Miller getting medicaled, so Large in that mix as well as TE. Great attitude, happy to be in IC.
Q: How did McNamara earn the leadership role without playing?
Teammates recognize that he's good. Assertive guy — KF asked for that out of him coming into IC. Approach to business and hard work have made his leadership evident.
Q: Secondary keeps replacing players without missing a beat — how does Jermari Harris fit into that progression?
Harris missed a season, had been trying to "do too much" as a corner instead of letting plays come to him. Came on in the last week, still developing.
Q: Deacon Hill got first snaps — indicative of having the #2 QB spot?
Still wide open for now, but has shown well so far. Great arm, but play-calling aspect still coming to him. Had some experience in Wisconsin's system but not with 1s and 2s.
Q: Lots of walk-ons at wideout, how comfortable with them on the field?
Lots of improvement; Jack Johnson made a good play, Reese Osgood out today but has had a good spring; just looking for someone to step up in absence of unavailable WRs.
Q: Spencer Petras observing and helping with linemen during practice?
Has also helped with QBs and terminology, learning line too — just a football guy.
Q: Transfer portal is open; Iowa still looking to add?
Absolutely, always looking — lots of areas where Iowa could be interested in adding someone. More interested in transfers than in pre-portal days. Have to be cautious about bringing guys in, making sure they're good additions to team as well as good players. All 11 spring additions fit that bill.
Q: Common complaint is portal has become "pay-for-play" — KF shares concerns?
Another one where the only way to do his answer justice is to quote: "Oh yeah. It's a mess, the NIL. It's just a mess. It's great in concept — you think about someone like Caitlin Clark, that's kind of the original intent of this whole thing. There's some good things about it, I'm not — but my biggest fear on this is there's no structure at all. That I'm aware of — you guys know more than I do. There's no structure, there's no cap on how much money can be spent, things like that. I just equate it to the NFL world where there's a salary cap, there's clear rules of demarcation when a player can go into a portal or go into free agency. All those things are spelled out, all 32 teams operate by the same rules. There's enforcement that's consistent. That's what you would call a normal world to operate in. Then if you do a good job, you've got a chance to benefit from it. If you don't — the fact that we don't have any structure is just... good luck making that make sense. But it's the world we're living in right now, so we're going to do the best to operate in the world that fits with what we think is best for our program. So far so good."
Also notes that many players don't have NIL deals and are coming to IC for the opportunity to play — "that's okay too."
Q: Why move (PWO) Kyson Van Vugt from TE to OL?
He's a prospect — not in derogatory sense. Young as a kid, young as a player, if he's going to play OT is his best bet.
Q: Justice Sullivan still on the team?
Just had medical hardship approved — Long Covid.
Q: Any other medicals or departures?
Nothing to note now, outside of Eli Miller.
Q: Receivers a target area in the portal? Also more on Brody Brecht?
Tough to do two sports — probably even more difficult for pitchers. Firstly happy for Brecht — probably better for him to focus on baseball. Gives football clarity on his involvement/lack thereof too. Wide receiver and cornerback the two biggest areas of need for the transfer portal.
Q: Leadership void to enter spring with all the departing players — has the gap closed in spring?
Team has been aggressive in the offseason in ownership of leadership opportunities. Not "there" yet but players trying to emulate last year's example.
Q: How to size up RB room?
Like to think Kaleb Johnson will be a better runner than last year. Got a lot done just by playing last year, but a lot to learn about what he's doing. Really good skill set, learning how to use it and block better. Leshon Williams good last year, making strides this year. Really good spring. Jaziun Patterson really nice job too. Seeing more of that this spring. Terrell Washington strong early. All good young players, pretty exciting.
QUICK THOUGHTS:
Coaches and players alike sold on McNamara as a leader and QB. Everything seems on pace for him to lead the team in the fall.
Team is really hampered by injuries and the usual turnover/unavailabilities that happen in spring. Hard to evaluate guys when they're not on the field as much. Doesn't seem like a ton of worry as it relates to September and beyond, when the games actually count, but the team on the field today was a lot of Next Man In.
Hard not to think there's yet more movement in the portal — the WR situation today seemed familiarly sparse — again, even as we know that's not what a healthy depth chart would look like in the fall. A lot of time spent by Parker looking for someone to step up at CB2 too. Last thing they need is another situation like Nebraska after DeJean went down.
Aaron Graves is ready for a big year. KF isn't the type to get up there and say outright that he's got an All-Big Ten season coming, but that quote is about as close as Ferentz will come.
Offensive line isn't getting the type of praise KF gives when the unit's really humming. Need some health and cohesion there. Good thing it's mid-April and not mid-October.
KF notes the irony of the "brisk" weather today after one of the nicer springs he's had. Spring football an important phase — evaluating football skills, attitude, work ethic, concentration, etc. Hardly a finished product, but real improvement over the last few weeks — more individual-by-individual growth than "a cohesive thing," especially with injuries and circumstances keeping some out. "A lot of work to do, a big leadership void to fill."
Last season was "one of the worst kicking exhibitions," but Stevens and Blom have both performed great. Feels like they have two guys they can trust now.
Q: More individual or cohesive growth on the offensive line this spring?
Challenges with cohesion with Mason Richman out, Connor Colby "another mishap" but he's expected back soon. Mike Myslinski out, Daijon Parker injured after one practice. Seven healthy linemen after Parker's injury, but "we've been able to gain some ground coming back." Beau Stephens and Gennings Dunker in particular making the most of their time on the field in spring practice.
Q: How to evaluate Cade McNamara when he's not playing 11-on-11?
Excited to bring McNamara in after seeing him play in the B1GCG — happy to have him in the room and work with him now. A lot of the characteristics you look for in a QB — has on-field success on his resume. An earned confidence and an edge. Clearly the starter, not a debate.
Q: Tight end room as deep as it looks?
Luke Lachey stepped up in Sam LaPorta's injury absence late last season — maturing physically and in confidence. Lachey and Erick All have hit it off.
Q: Pittman and Graves stepping in at DT?
Similar to linebacker depth issues last spring — DTs Logan Lee and Noah Shannon out coming off of surgery, an opportunity for Jeremiah Pittman and Aaron Graves. Graves played well last year, taking a step forward this year.
Just gonna quote this part: "[Graves] just goes so hard. It's unusual for a guy that young to have that kind of tempo, but that's just how he's wired. It's every day. Like he's just got one speed, which is fun."
Pittman one of the more improved guys on the team — great kid, good confidence in Pittman this year, moreso than last.
Q: How does Hayden Large get to Iowa?
KF surprised to learn a kid named Hayden had no UI connection. Fullback Eli Miller getting medicaled, so Large in that mix as well as TE. Great attitude, happy to be in IC.
Q: How did McNamara earn the leadership role without playing?
Teammates recognize that he's good. Assertive guy — KF asked for that out of him coming into IC. Approach to business and hard work have made his leadership evident.
Q: Secondary keeps replacing players without missing a beat — how does Jermari Harris fit into that progression?
Harris missed a season, had been trying to "do too much" as a corner instead of letting plays come to him. Came on in the last week, still developing.
Q: Deacon Hill got first snaps — indicative of having the #2 QB spot?
Still wide open for now, but has shown well so far. Great arm, but play-calling aspect still coming to him. Had some experience in Wisconsin's system but not with 1s and 2s.
Q: Lots of walk-ons at wideout, how comfortable with them on the field?
Lots of improvement; Jack Johnson made a good play, Reese Osgood out today but has had a good spring; just looking for someone to step up in absence of unavailable WRs.
Q: Spencer Petras observing and helping with linemen during practice?
Has also helped with QBs and terminology, learning line too — just a football guy.
Q: Transfer portal is open; Iowa still looking to add?
Absolutely, always looking — lots of areas where Iowa could be interested in adding someone. More interested in transfers than in pre-portal days. Have to be cautious about bringing guys in, making sure they're good additions to team as well as good players. All 11 spring additions fit that bill.
Q: Common complaint is portal has become "pay-for-play" — KF shares concerns?
Another one where the only way to do his answer justice is to quote: "Oh yeah. It's a mess, the NIL. It's just a mess. It's great in concept — you think about someone like Caitlin Clark, that's kind of the original intent of this whole thing. There's some good things about it, I'm not — but my biggest fear on this is there's no structure at all. That I'm aware of — you guys know more than I do. There's no structure, there's no cap on how much money can be spent, things like that. I just equate it to the NFL world where there's a salary cap, there's clear rules of demarcation when a player can go into a portal or go into free agency. All those things are spelled out, all 32 teams operate by the same rules. There's enforcement that's consistent. That's what you would call a normal world to operate in. Then if you do a good job, you've got a chance to benefit from it. If you don't — the fact that we don't have any structure is just... good luck making that make sense. But it's the world we're living in right now, so we're going to do the best to operate in the world that fits with what we think is best for our program. So far so good."
Also notes that many players don't have NIL deals and are coming to IC for the opportunity to play — "that's okay too."
Q: Why move (PWO) Kyson Van Vugt from TE to OL?
He's a prospect — not in derogatory sense. Young as a kid, young as a player, if he's going to play OT is his best bet.
Q: Justice Sullivan still on the team?
Just had medical hardship approved — Long Covid.
Q: Any other medicals or departures?
Nothing to note now, outside of Eli Miller.
Q: Receivers a target area in the portal? Also more on Brody Brecht?
Tough to do two sports — probably even more difficult for pitchers. Firstly happy for Brecht — probably better for him to focus on baseball. Gives football clarity on his involvement/lack thereof too. Wide receiver and cornerback the two biggest areas of need for the transfer portal.
Q: Leadership void to enter spring with all the departing players — has the gap closed in spring?
Team has been aggressive in the offseason in ownership of leadership opportunities. Not "there" yet but players trying to emulate last year's example.
Q: How to size up RB room?
Like to think Kaleb Johnson will be a better runner than last year. Got a lot done just by playing last year, but a lot to learn about what he's doing. Really good skill set, learning how to use it and block better. Leshon Williams good last year, making strides this year. Really good spring. Jaziun Patterson really nice job too. Seeing more of that this spring. Terrell Washington strong early. All good young players, pretty exciting.
QUICK THOUGHTS:
Coaches and players alike sold on McNamara as a leader and QB. Everything seems on pace for him to lead the team in the fall.
Team is really hampered by injuries and the usual turnover/unavailabilities that happen in spring. Hard to evaluate guys when they're not on the field as much. Doesn't seem like a ton of worry as it relates to September and beyond, when the games actually count, but the team on the field today was a lot of Next Man In.
Hard not to think there's yet more movement in the portal — the WR situation today seemed familiarly sparse — again, even as we know that's not what a healthy depth chart would look like in the fall. A lot of time spent by Parker looking for someone to step up at CB2 too. Last thing they need is another situation like Nebraska after DeJean went down.
Aaron Graves is ready for a big year. KF isn't the type to get up there and say outright that he's got an All-Big Ten season coming, but that quote is about as close as Ferentz will come.
Offensive line isn't getting the type of praise KF gives when the unit's really humming. Need some health and cohesion there. Good thing it's mid-April and not mid-October.
