New Depth Chart

[Blair Sanderson]

From the Iowa media guide, which can be found at the link below.

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools...misc_non_event/iowafootballmediaguide2015.pdf

SE - Tevaun Smith, Jacob Hillyer
LT - Boone Myers, Cole Croston
LG - Eric Simmons, Sean Welsh
C - Austin Blythe, Eric Simmons
RG - Jordan Walsh, Mitch Keppy
RT - Ike Boettger, Keegan Render
TE - Henry Krieger-Coble, George Kittle
WR - Matt VandeBerg, Jay Scheel
QB - C.J. Beathard, Tyler Wiegers
FB - Macon Plewa, Adam Cox
RB - LeShun Daniels Jr., Jordan Canzeri

DE - Nate Meier, Matt Nelson
DT - Jaleel Johnson, Faith Ekakitie
DT - Nathan Bazata, Kyle Terlouw
DE - Drew Ott, Parker Hesse
OLB - Ben Niemann, Cole Fisher
MLB - Josey Jewell, Travis Perry
WLB - Bo Bower, Aaron Mends
CB - Greg Mabin, Maurice Fleming
CB - Desmond King, Sean Draper
SS - Miles Taylor, Brandon Snyder
FS - Jordan Lomax, Anthony Gair

P - Dillon Kidd, Marshall Koehn
K - Marshall Koehn, Mick Ellis

 

[nu2u]

If I'm not mistaken, this is the 1st time Jay Scheel has been listed on a two-deep depth chart.

Eric Simmons gets the nod over Welsh at LG. Did Daniels jump the / with Canzeri?

The only thing I don't like about the early depth charts is not naming the PR & KR.

 

[soybean]

If I'm not mistaken, this is the 1st time Jay Scheel has been listed on a two-deep depth chart.

Eric Simmons gets the nod over Welsh at LG. Did Daniels jump the / with Canzeri?

Yes, I think it is...and I'm not one bit surprised. You just can not appreciated Scheel until you see him on the field. He is so much more than what any set of measurables tell. He is not only fast. Not only quick. Not only elusive. He has something of a ghostlike shiftiness that leaves defenders grasping at air.

 

[David1979]

Interesting about Daniels at #1 with no 'or' Also good to see Scheel moving up the depth chart.

 

[David1979]

not surprised Simmons is ahead of Welsh after Welsh missing the spring. I would bet he earns it back.

 

[CuttyDoesIt]

Remember when a good amount of you were flipping out because some walk on was ahead of Scheel on the depth chart in April?

 

[David1979]

Remember when a good amount of you were flipping out because some walk on was ahead of Scheel on the depth chart in April?

I am sure it is the same people that will freak out about something with this depth chart as well.

 

[kyleparm]

Jay Scheel making an appearance! Very nice! I have been very excited to see that elusiveness on the field. We lack a serious playmaker at receiver other than Tevaun Smith. I hope he can develop in to the type of player we need him to be.

 

[nu2u]

We lack a serious playmaker at receiver other than Tevaun Smith. I hope he can develop in to the type of player we need him to be.

Don't sell Matt VandeBerg short. Coaches noticed him very soon after he arrived on campus as a frosh and burned the redshirt. He immediately jumped several vets as well as other WRs in his class (Willies, MItchell) on the depth chart. He would have undoubtedly started sooner but he was backing-up one of the most prolific pass catchers in Iowa history in KMM. He is pretty solid WR and deceptively quick. That said, I am really excited to see what Scheel can do also.

 

[desihawk]

No surprises on D but lots of tweaks on offense. Seeing changes at TE, LG, WR, even OT (Keegan Render is backup RT?). And Daniels ahead of Canzeri?
Hope the hawks have worked like dogs over the summer and surprise the heck out of all of us in a positive way in Fall.

 

[funnyfletcher]

I'd love to see Scheel as a PR

 

[Besthawkfan]

I'm exited to see Ben Neimann at lb. I have a feeling he is gonna be good.

 

[cedarvalleykid14]

funnyfletcher, you make a great point. If Scheel is healthy, he would seem to be a real threat as a punt returner or kick returner, perhaps the best since the amazing Tim Dwight--and Scheel, like Dwight, is another homegrown product. It would be a huge boost for the Hawkeyes to have a legitimate punt return game again after years of zilch.

And, of course, Scheel could be a big time threat as a receiver with CJB slingin' it. Let's hope the young man stays healthy and is given the chance to be a game-changer as both a receiver and a return man.

 

[And1Hawk]

I'm exited to see Ben Neimann at lb. I have a feeling he is gonna be good.

Agree .... Why on earth was he not on the field in that position last season at least part of the time? He would be returning with actual playing experience instead of experience primarily on special teams. That is followed closely by why on earth did we not put Boone Myers at left guard last year to get him some actual game experience when we knew he was going to be a tackle the next season and we really struggled at the guards last season?

This year to me it's why on earth do you not get Keegan Render into the guard spot given his body/frame are suited for guard/center instead of RT and Welsh is unlikely to be a strong contributor?

Just baffling decisions from the outside looking in and to me it is these little things like this that are killers for the program.

 

[Besthawkfan]

Agree .... Why on earth was he not on the field in that position last season at least part of the time? He would be returning with actual playing experience instead of experience primarily on special teams. That is followed closely by why on earth did we not put Boone Myers at left guard last year to get him some actual game experience when we knew he was going to be a tackle the next season and we really struggled at the guards last season?

This year to me it's why on earth do you not get Keegan Render into the guard spot given his body/frame are suited for guard/center instead of RT and Welsh is unlikely to be a strong contributor?

Just baffling decisions from the outside looking in and to me it is these little things like this that are killers for the program.

I think Neimann was a little underweight last year. He beefed up to about 230 (I think) and is gonna be a play maker.
He is also, 6' 4". I liked it back in the day when we had tall lbs.

 

[DarkThunder#61]

I'm assuming no Duzey because of injuries?

Ekakitie will probably rotate some with the starters. My guess is we'll see a platoon of sorts on the DL to keep guys fresh. Hesse may also see a bit of time, if he's manged to work his way behind Ott this quickly.

 

[IACentralHawk73]

I have a feeling with Ott on that D-Line it's gonna be an Adrian Clayborn situation, he'll get double, maybe triple teamed and it opens up opportunity for the 3 other linemen, but he's a beast regardless.

 

[ichawk24]

I'm assuming no Duzey because of injuries?

Correct. His expected return is late September/early October. We could really use him.

 

[iahawkeyes17]

Agree .... Why on earth was he not on the field in that position last season at least part of the time? He would be returning with actual playing experience instead of experience primarily on special teams. That is followed closely by why on earth did we not put Boone Myers at left guard last year to get him some actual game experience when we knew he was going to be a tackle the next season and we really struggled at the guards last season?

This year to me it's why on earth do you not get Keegan Render into the guard spot given his body/frame are suited for guard/center instead of RT and Welsh is unlikely to be a strong contributor?

Just baffling decisions from the outside looking in and to me it is these little things like this that are killers for the program.

I'm guessing KF and BF were thinking in terms of now and not next year when playing Boffeli at C and Blythe at G. Gave them 5 best OL. Yes would be nice now to have played those guys to get experience but in terms of winning and best OL it didn't make sense.

 

[icu81222]

Don't sell Matt VandeBerg short. Coaches noticed him very soon after he arrived on campus as a frosh and burned the redshirt. He immediately jumped several vets as well as other WRs in his class (Willies, MItchell) on the depth chart. He would have undoubtedly started sooner but he was backing-up one of the most prolific pass catchers in Iowa history in KMM. He is pretty solid WR and deceptively quick. That said, I am really excited to see what Scheel can do also.

I got the impression that he climbed so quickly because he was smart and knew the playbook while others struggled. Good hands too.

It would be nice if he was able to get separation but I am not that optimistic there. But, if he can replicate KMM. I guess that's adequate for now until some of these young speed guys can step in some

 

[icu81222]

I am expecting Matt Nelson to over take Meier at DE fairly early. I really think that kid is going to be special. Maybe not this year but I think we will see glimpses of greatness.

 

[mthawkeyes]

VandeBerg is fast. People who say he's not remind me of all the announcers who routinely suggested than Adam Haluska lacked the athleticism of other small forwards.

 

[David1979]

I am expecting Matt Nelson to over take Meier at DE fairly early. I really think that kid is going to be special. Maybe not this year but I think we will see glimpses of greatness.

yeah I am hoping that they split reps at least. Meier got worked a lot last year especially in the run game. He is too small to be playing every down. Although I expect this year to be his best year. I agree Nelson could be special.

 

[David1979]

VandeBerg is fast. People who say he's not remind me of all the announcers who routinely suggested than Adam Haluska lacked the athleticism of other small forwards.

Exactly. Just because he is white does not mean he is slow. I saw him plenty of times last year beat guys down the field and he has some quickness too. He made some really tough catches last year.

 

[icu81222]

Exactly. Just because he is white does not mean he is slow. I saw him plenty of times last year beat guys down the field and he has some quickness too. He made some really tough catches last year.

I'd say he compares somewhat to KMM. Reliable but not a burner. Tevaun Smith is fast and can get separation. A bit different category. I dislike the stereotyping as well. (I was one of those guys in college too)

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

I'd say he compares somewhat to KMM. Reliable but not a burner. Tevaun Smith is fast and can get separation. A bit different category. I dislike the stereotyping as well. (I was one of those guys in college too)

VandeBerg is interesting because he has an uncanny ability to get open. Is that due to speed or quickness? Is that due to smarts and route-running? It's probably a combo of a number of those factors. However, it is true, sports fans seem to assume that white implies that the guy is less athletic ... and there's absolutely no rigorous evidence to support such a contention.

 

[iahawkeyes17]

Two names not on depth chart I'm curious to see how much impact they have are Parker and Mitchell who essentially swapped positions. Parker has big play ability and see if Mitchell can beat out wadley for that 3rd RB getting carries and make something happen when he gets his reps.

 

[thejazzcat]

Interesting about Daniels at #1 with no 'or'.

It wouldn't surprise me if the Canzeris encouraged this. I hung out with his family at the hotel in Jacksonville and his dad said he felt the key to Jordan's success this year was Daniels. He was pretty adamant that Jordan was optimal at 12 carries/game max.

 

[soybean]

Don't sell Matt VandeBerg short. Coaches noticed him very soon after he arrived on campus as a frosh and burned the redshirt. He immediately jumped several vets as well as other WRs in his class (Willies, MItchell) on the depth chart. He would have undoubtedly started sooner but he was backing-up one of the most prolific pass catchers in Iowa history in KMM. He is pretty solid WR and deceptively quick. That said, I am really excited to see what Scheel can do also.

Vandeberg is a very solid player.

 

[David1979]

I agree that Paker and Mitchell are intriguing players. Parker is extremely fast and his yards per touch was huge last year. he made a couple boneheaded plays but he was a true freshman which is to be expected. To me he looks like a better Powell. Mitchell is a great athlete who looks like may have found his best position at RB. Watching the Spring game I thought he was more impressive than both Daniels and Canzeri. And from the sounds of things he is moving up fast in the eyes of the coaches. He already has great size and also has good hands. I can see him getting a lot of reps this year because Canzeri has never been able to stay healthy .

 

[David1979]

The safety battle will be interesting. I saw Morehouse tweet that actually it is Gair and Taylor battling for SS.

 

[icu81222]

VandeBerg is interesting because he has an uncanny ability to get open. Is that due to speed or quickness? Is that due to smarts and route-running? It's probably a combo of a number of those factors. However, it is true, sports fans seem to assume that white implies that the guy is less athletic ... and there's absolutely no rigorous evidence to support such a contention.

My experience is, those guys that appear to have a knack for getting open have a feel or a 6th sense. Just knowing where the holes are going to open up or gravitating towards the void. Whereas some guys run the route as designed and don't "get it" as far as what is happening around them or have that feel for where their opponents are or where the lanes are at.

Kind of like being a point guard that always seems to see things no one else does. At least that's the way I always felt.

 

[icu81222]

Two names not on depth chart I'm curious to see how much impact they have are Parker and Mitchell who essentially swapped positions. Parker has big play ability and see if Mitchell can beat out wadley for that 3rd RB getting carries and make something happen when he gets his reps.

I think Mitchell will surprise a lot of people if he can get on the field. I think he will have that combination of size, speed and allusiveness that could make him a difference maker. He just seemed to have that extra something on the few carries I saw in spring ball

 

[ichawk24]

Vandeberg is a young WR who played early as a true freshman (despite initially being a grayshirt), and the unwashed masses complained that he sucked and Kirk never plays young WR.

 

[Bigfann1966]

Vandeberg is a young WR who played early as a true freshman (despite initially being a grayshirt), and the unwashed masses complained that he sucked and Kirk never plays young WR.

Kid has great hands, you get the ball to him he will catch it! He has good wheels too.

 

[ichawk24]

I am cautiously optimistic about Vandeberg breaking out for a pretty good year. The word is always that he gets open and catches passes.

 

[ChrisVarick]

I agree that Paker and Mitchell are intriguing players. Parker is extremely fast and his yards per touch was huge last year. he made a couple boneheaded plays but he was a true freshman which is to be expected. To me he looks like a better Powell. Mitchell is a great athlete who looks like may have found his best position at RB. Watching the Spring game I thought he was more impressive than both Daniels and Canzeri. And from the sounds of things he is moving up fast in the eyes of the coaches. He already has great size and also has good hands. I can see him getting a lot of reps this year because Canzeri has never been able to stay healthy .

What would lead you to believe this? The 3 balls that Parker caught last year or the 25 balls he caught in high school? Powell had caught 70 balls for 1,837 yards and 18tds, having the highest YPC and 2nd highest yards per game his senior year out of Junior College. Parker has no experience running routes and has never shown anything with his hands. He hasn't shown to have a high football IQ while on the field. I'm baffled at where this comment comes from outside of blind wishful thinking.

 

[cidsports]

Don't sell Matt VandeBerg short. Coaches noticed him very soon after he arrived on campus as a frosh and burned the redshirt. He immediately jumped several vets as well as other WRs in his class (Willies, MItchell) on the depth chart. He would have undoubtedly started sooner but he was backing-up one of the most prolific pass catchers in Iowa history in KMM. He is pretty solid WR and deceptively quick. That said, I am really excited to see what Scheel can do also.

Like both VandeBerg and looking forward to Scheel, as well.

 

[icantfindausernamethatisntused]

I think this team's ceiling is going to be determined by the LB's. There doesn't seem to be much depth there and I am not yet sold on any of these players. Niemann made a great impression as a true freshman on special teams last year, but it is still yet to be seen how he can do as an every-down LB. Bower and Jewell at times looked like our best LB's last year, but that's not saying much because our LB's were pretty awful.

We actually had a fairly high scoring offense last year and we return a lot of talent offensively. Obviously we will miss Scherff, but even with him we didn't really excel in the running game and we still averaged 28 points per game (compare that to 23 points per game in our Orange Bowl season).

I think we have some good talent on the defensive line, and I think we are going to have a very good secondary. But if we don't tackle better than we did last season, it is going to be a frustrating season. One thing we've been spoiled with under Ferentz is teams that are great at tackling and can consistently stop the run. Last year's team was the worst tackling team I've ever witnessed under Ferentz.

 

[ISUhawk]

Don't overlook the importance of getting Plewa and Cox back at fullbacks. We missed Cox losing him right before the season last year. Plewa was his backup and he was hurt a lot last year also. Cox is not only a good Blocker, but he can catch the ball for a sneaky few yards. We also need additional experience pass blockers for CJB. Matt Nelson is tall and talented enough to help get better pressure on opposing quarterbacks.