Ok, so next year

[relishingwinning18]

What do we even start with?

WR - Buie, Gill, Anderson, Wetjen - Everyone returns, not sure if that's good.
RB - Moulton, Patterson - Was pretty impresssed with Moulton yesterday, looked bigger and faster than beginning of year.
QB - Sullivan, Hank - Need a good Transfer QB Obviously
OL - Stephens, Jones, Dunker. Have heard good things about Lauch - OL might be pretty decent.
TE - Ostrenga, ?
Offensive side gonna be average.

DL - Pace(Transfer), Graves, Pittman, Lewellen, Hurkett - Not bad
LB - Nothing, backups look average
DB - X, Hall, Lee (not good) - Entringer and Lutmer should move in and do ok, but we could use another CB.

Transfer Portal Needs - LB's, CB, QB, OL(maybe)
Could be a rough year.

 

[squeezebox]

OT is an absolute must, TE is going to be more than fine with Ostrenga and Ortwerth. Iowa could use a transfer at QB, but if they can't net someone with some legs, they really need to make an attempt to bring Marco back into the fold. DL should be pretty decent next year, and it's going to have to be because the LB core is going to be lacking. I don't see it as a rough year, maybe they end up 6-6, 7-5 but the offense yesterday does at least make me hopeful.

 

[uihawk82]

Thanks for starting this thread because it is time to look forward.

Oertwerth is looking good at TEnd. On the offensive line could Myslinski be a starter at RGuard if he adds 15 pounds? That would give us 4 good starters with experience, or Logan Jones moves to RGuard with Myslinski at center. The run blocking was pretty good against a pretty well thought of Dline yesterday.

Definitely need pass protection improvement so that means that really good left tackle replacement. A transfer Left Tackle would be great if they are a very good one. plus better pass route scheming to get receivers open while on the move to slice through the defense.

I think we are fine at running back, TEnd, and am hoping Buie and Howard step up as big targets. Seth Anderson seems to be injured a lot so not counting on him, VanderZee might still be an Ed Hinkle type receiver if he can get more physical on the Dbacks. And Wetjen in the slot more and on jet sweeps and reverses.

Sullivan is still an upgrade from CadeM and recent QBs and he made some nice throws yesterday. He needs to hang in the pocket for another 1 count before getting the urge to run and scramble. But his legs are a positive. If someone is better than him then that is all the better.

I am a bit worried about DLine depth but we have a transfer coming in and Pittman got a lot of snaps but I really havent heard how he graded out this year.

I think the new lbkrs will step up, they have a lot of experience in the scheme and have some playing time to look at on film. Plus they have had great mentors.

The secondary looks sort of average. Really good QBs and receivers carved us up this year. I would not be surprised if X loses his starting position and X could go to cash. X is not around the ball like so many of our past safeties and I think Schultie's play may have dropped off this year.

And because we didnt have sticky cornerback play I think PhilP was less inclined to blitz and he also played his safeties deeper and less aggressive especially after getting beat over the top against ISU and that speedy non-conf receiver.

Did we get that supposedly really good Juco cornerback?

 

[Hawk_4shur]

I'm not expecting any sort of savior from the portal. If you are a "good" QB and have many choices, Iowa doesn't look that good. Sure, perhaps playing time, but it's going to be tough for a QB to be successful at Iowa. I'm not entirely sure why, but it is.

Hopefully a couple of guys will show up on the defensive side, maybe an OL, but I think the 2025 team is pretty much already in place. Maybe a few of the freshman can help.

I think the talent gap vs good teams is going to widen, not shrink.

 

[BonzoFury]

First losing season since 2012

 

[MitchLL]

The ENTIRE back seven on defense should be new faces.

Hoping X portals out.

 

[squeezebox]

The ENTIRE back seven on defense should be new faces.

Hoping X portals out.

you want a senior safety to portal out? while we are at it, make sure he takes Lee and Lutmer with him.

 

[Muscles1989]

The ENTIRE back seven on defense should be new faces.

Hoping X portals out.

Was hoping his shady buddy from sep would take him down to Alabama

 

[hawkeyemark18]

OT is an absolute must, TE is going to be more than fine with Ostrenga and Ortwerth. Iowa could use a transfer at QB, but if they can't net someone with some legs, they really need to make an attempt to bring Marco back into the fold. DL should be pretty decent next year, and it's going to have to be because the LB core is going to be lacking. I don't see it as a rough year, maybe they end up 6-6, 7-5 but the offense yesterday does at least make me hopeful.

I wrote in another thread Lester seems excited about Jimmy Sullivan a guy who has legs and the skill set Lester wants. Think we will hear about him in the spring. Jackson Stratton may continue to develop and become a viable option as well. Don't know much about Brown but the QB room doesn't look as bleak IMO as many people imagine.

 

[uihawk82]

I wrote in another thread Lester seems excited about Jimmy Sullivan a guy who has legs and the skill set Lester wants. Think we will hear about him in the spring. Jackson Stratton may continue to develop and become a viable option as well. Don't know much about Brown but the QB room doesn't look as bleak IMO as many people imagine.

The very little video of QB Brown that I saw he looked to have a quick release and was accurate but again a small sample. And he was pretty mobile.

 

[squeezebox]

I wrote in another thread Lester seems excited about Jimmy Sullivan a guy who has legs and the skill set Lester wants. Think we will hear about him in the spring. Jackson Stratton may continue to develop and become a viable option as well. Don't know much about Brown but the QB room doesn't look as bleak IMO as many people imagine.

I am not sure how anyone could feel good about the QB room. Stratton does not impress me at all as a high level QB, Brown looked decent in two games, but I'm far from sold on him. I am hopeful about Sully, but if yesterday with Cook showed us anything, a mobile QB is a must in today's game.

 

[Heathen Raider]

Iowa needs a WR 1 and a CB 1 and a LB and if they can somehow get a QB1 that is good You do it, Without a CB1 and WR1 next Years Team is cooked.

 

[Zooropa_NCR]

I wrote in another thread Lester seems excited about Jimmy Sullivan a guy who has legs and the skill set Lester wants. Think we will hear about him in the spring. Jackson Stratton may continue to develop and become a viable option as well. Don't know much about Brown but the QB room doesn't look as bleak IMO as many people imagine.

Right, but do we really expect a first year starter to do great things ?

At least B Sully got experience this year and Brown got some for Auburn.

For me we need to load up on OL and DL. That’s what used to make great Iowa teams (with a good QB)

OL and DL would make every other group better

But no confidence in Iowa portal success or Barnett development

 

[Heathen Raider]

The very little video of QB Brown that I saw he looked to have a quick release and was accurate but again a small sample. And he was pretty mobile.

I am not sure how anyone could feel good about the QB room. Stratton does not impress me at all as a high level QB, Brown looked decent in two games, but I'm far from sold on him. I am hopeful about Sully, but if yesterday with Cook showed us anything, a mobile QB is a must in today's game.

watch that New Mexico tape again , 3 balls late and behind His receivers in the short outside zone that are pick 6s against a real CB and He looked like bad Petras/Hill against Arkansas . His tape showed Me just a warm body in the room .

 

[hawkeyemark18]

Right, but do we really expect a first year starter to do great things ?

At least B Sully got experience this year and Brown got some for Auburn.

For me we need to load up on OL and DL. That’s what used to make great Iowa teams (with a good QB)

OL and DL would make every other group better

But no confidence in Iowa portal success or Barnett development

Good point. Lester played a freshman QB and did well one season at Western Michigan. Different ball game in the Big Ten. If Jimmy Sullivan really comes on we could have a Sullivan/Sullivan duo next season. Brendan Sullivan looks like the leader going into the clubhouse. With a spring of competition and working with Lester I think we will have a solid QB room behind him no matter how the pecking order plays out.

 

[squeezebox]

watch that New Mexico tape again , 3 balls late and behind His receivers in the short outside zone that are pick 6s against a real CB and He looked like bad Petras/Hill against Arkansas . His tape showed Me just a warm body in the room .

He's better than Stratton, and Iowa desperately needs depth at the position. He was also a freshman, so I'll wait until spring practice to shit on the kid.

 

[squeezebox]

Good point. Lester played a freshman QB and did well one season at Western Michigan. Different ball game in the Big Ten. If Jimmy Sullivan really comes on we could have a Sullivan/Sullivan duo next season. Brendan Sullivan looks like the leader going into the clubhouse. With a spring of competition and working with Lester I think we will have a solid QB room behind him no matter how the pecking order plays out.

I would bet everything I own on Jimmy Sullivan not playing next year.

 

[uihawk82]

I would bet everything I own on Jimmy Sullivan not playing next year.

haha, you just know so much, why would you think that, and I know what you mean. Tom Brady may have never started for some coaches because he was too slow, but TB is Kirk's type of tall, pocket passer

Sully needs to be coached up to hang in the pocket another second, yesterday he had some dump off safe open passes if he would have looked around another second and not taken off with the ball.

 

[squeezebox]

haha, you just know so much, why would you think that, and I know what you mean. Tom Brady may have never started for some coaches because he was too slow, but TB is Kirk's type of tall, pocket passer

because Kirk literally never starts True freshman at QB.

 

[2212hawk]

Linebacker will be fine. Harrell, Sharer, and Van Kekerix are solid. They have just been stuck behind two incredibly durable and talented guys.

And those three guys that redshirted…Weisskopf, Buffington, and Reis…could be something really special.

Defensive ends should be talented and deep.
Defensive tackle is a big concern. Defensive backs are a big concern.

As always, QB and WR are problems.
Offensive line will be a big question mark.
I think RB’s will be solid.
Seems like TE has slipped a little since LaPorta left.

Special teams should be among the best in the country.

 

[jonesy5960]

Iowa still needs a lot of help on offense. QB1, tackle, and wide receiver are still challenged against quality opposition. You've gotta score points and this team will struggle mightily to do that next year without KJ.

 

[hawkeyemark18]

Iowa still needs a lot of help on offense. QB1, tackle, and wide receiver are still challenged against quality opposition. You've gotta score points and this team will struggle mightily to do that next year without KJ.

I don't follow recruiting enough to know what to expect in positions like the offensive line. As to the running game an elite back like Kaleb Johnson you will rarely have. I thought the Moulton/Patterson duo played pretty well yesterday and we have others behind them. The QB room will look different after spring than it does now and I think we will get solid play there. WR we have Buie, Gill, Anderson and Dayton Hudson showed flashes of potential along with a healthy VanderZee along with maybe Wetjen getting more involved. If we get some more help in the portal that position may look more solid as well.

 

[jonesy5960]

I don't follow recruiting enough to know what to expect in positions like the offensive line. As to the running game an elite back like Kaleb Johnson you will rarely have. I thought the Moulton/Patterson duo played pretty well yesterday and we have others behind them. The QB room will look different after spring than it does now and I think we will get solid play there. WR we have Buie, Gill, Anderson and Dayton Hudson showed flashes of potential along with a healthy VanderZee along with maybe Wetjen getting more involved. If we get some more help in the portal that position may look more solid as well.

How does the QB room look different in Spring without a significant portal add?

 

[SDHawkDoc]

Passing O was terrible this year. Hard to see where improvement is coming there with the same QB and wr options currently available. RB will be fine, above average, but almost certainly a drop off from an AA back who carried them on O. TE will be OK, but a far cry from TEU.
Losing 2 solid LBs on D won't be easy to replace. Secondary is shaky.
And the schedule looks to be more challenging.
They'll need to be better on both sides of the ball and that still might not be enough to match this year's record.

 

[JayTheOkay]

Iowa could use some new diamonds in the rough at pretty much every position

 

[ItsAllBallBearingsNowadays]

What do we even start with?

WR - Buie, Gill, Anderson, Wetjen - Everyone returns, not sure if that's good.
RB - Moulton, Patterson - Was pretty impresssed with Moulton yesterday, looked bigger and faster than beginning of year.
QB - Sullivan, Hank - Need a good Transfer QB Obviously
OL - Stephens, Jones, Dunker. Have heard good things about Lauch - OL might be pretty decent.
TE - Ostrenga, ?
Offensive side gonna be average.

DL - Pace(Transfer), Graves, Pittman, Lewellen, Hurkett - Not bad
LB - Nothing, backups look average
DB - X, Hall, Lee (not good) - Entringer and Lutmer should move in and do ok, but we could use another CB.

Transfer Portal Needs - LB's, CB, QB, OL(maybe)
Could be a rough year.

Did anyone notice if Brian Allen was out there?

 

[Iafootballfan]

Moulton looked very good, no concerns at that position. QB and WR1 have to be top priority, we have to score against the teams on the schedule next year.

 

[hawkeyemark18]

How does the QB room look different in Spring without a significant portal add?

Lester will have had a full spring to work with them. He has said he plans to do no recruiting in the spring and just focus on coaching. He has also said he hasn't fully installed his passing game which will likely come in the spring.

 

[Birky]

Did anyone notice if Brian Allen was out there?

Allen had shoulder surgery.

 

[BonzoFury]

It's going to be ugly, especially ugly on offense.

 

[jhoosh43]

What do we even start with?

WR - Buie, Gill, Anderson, Wetjen - Everyone returns, not sure if that's good.
RB - Moulton, Patterson - Was pretty impresssed with Moulton yesterday, looked bigger and faster than beginning of year.
QB - Sullivan, Hank - Need a good Transfer QB Obviously
OL - Stephens, Jones, Dunker. Have heard good things about Lauch - OL might be pretty decent.
TE - Ostrenga, ?
Offensive side gonna be average.

DL - Pace(Transfer), Graves, Pittman, Lewellen, Hurkett - Not bad
LB - Nothing, backups look average
DB - X, Hall, Lee (not good) - Entringer and Lutmer should move in and do ok, but we could use another CB.

Transfer Portal Needs - LB's, CB, QB, OL(maybe)
Could be a rough year.

They don't need LBs. Phil Parker has said they are not looking for any to transfer in.

Next year's LBs will be RS Seniors who have waited longer than usual for their chance to start. If you want to kill a locker room, bring in a transfer LB.
Also, saying "they look average" is talking out of your ass, we haven't seen them outside of special teams and spot duty.

It's hard to take most of you seriously when you post nonsense like this.

 

[jonesy5960]

Lester will have had a full spring to work with them. He has said he plans to do no recruiting in the spring and just focus on coaching. He has also said he hasn't fully installed his passing game which will likely come in the spring.

I can appreciate the optimism, but that's not going to dramatically change the QB room. Sully is in his 3rd year with a fair amount of experience. He's athletic and can make throws, but it's obvious that he struggles with reading defenses and making progressions. If they were comfortable with what they had today, they wouldn't have still been looking for QB1. They're still looking. Trust me.

 

[Zooropa_NCR]

Lester will have had a full spring to work with them. He has said he plans to do no recruiting in the spring and just focus on coaching. He has also said he hasn't fully installed his passing game which will likely come in the spring.

If he didn’t install his entire offense then that falls on Kirk

 

[ChiefRhoads]

Let's not forget Jared Goff had a game earlier this season where he threw 5 INTs. Let's not totally write off Hank Brown because of one bad game. For the record, I am not suggesting Hank Brown is going to be Jared Goff.

 

[BonzoFury]

If he didn’t install his entire offense then that falls on Kirk

It's staggering how everything takes so f***ing long under KFz. Slow to change...slow to install....offense takes a long time to learn. Funny how that doesn't seem to be a problem for other teams. No wonder we look like we're playing with one hand tied behind out back offensively.

 

[MitchLL]

you want a senior safety to portal out? while we are at it, make sure he takes Lee and Lutmer with him.

And Nestor as well.
X is soft. Look at his stats this season

All garbage.

 

[MeetTheFerentzes]

What do we even start with?

WR - Buie, Gill, Anderson, Wetjen - Everyone returns, not sure if that's good.
RB - Moulton, Patterson - Was pretty impresssed with Moulton yesterday, looked bigger and faster than beginning of year.
QB - Sullivan, Hank - Need a good Transfer QB Obviously
OL - Stephens, Jones, Dunker. Have heard good things about Lauch - OL might be pretty decent.
TE - Ostrenga, ?
Offensive side gonna be average.

DL - Pace(Transfer), Graves, Pittman, Lewellen, Hurkett - Not bad
LB - Nothing, backups look average
DB - X, Hall, Lee (not good) - Entringer and Lutmer should move in and do ok, but we could use another CB.

Transfer Portal Needs - LB's, CB, QB, OL(maybe)
Could be a rough year.

 

[hawkeyemark18]

I can appreciate the optimism, but that's not going to dramatically change the QB room. Sully is in his 3rd year with a fair amount of experience. He's athletic and can make throws, but it's obvious that he struggles with reading defenses and making progressions. If they were comfortable with what they had today, they wouldn't have still been looking for QB1. They're still looking. Trust me.

Listen to or read what Kirk and Lester say. It only matters how they look at things. They have talked about having an open competition in the spring to earn the starting position. Lester wants 5 or 6 QBs in the room to push each other. Listen to some of the media who spent time around the team during bowl prep.

Lester comes off as high energy and very positive and I think feels good about what he has to work with. We may not see it the same way. The rebuild of the QB room has begun with or without another addition from the portal.

 

[jonesy5960]

Listen to or read what Kirk and Lester say. It only matters how they look at things. They have talked about having an open competition in the spring to earn the starting position. Lester wants 5 or 6 QBs in the room to push each other. Listen to some of the media who spent time around the team during bowl prep.

Lester comes off as high energy and very positive and I think feels good about what he has to work with. We may not see it the same way. The rebuild of the QB room has begun with or without another addition from the portal.

Honestly I couldn't care less what they have to say. They're going to sound positive regardless of the situation at hand as they should. Actions speak louder than words, and their actions suggest that they aren't exactly comfortable with what they have. I think most fans would agree with them

 

[hawkeyemark18]

It's staggering how everything takes so f***ing long under KFz. Slow to change...slow to install....offense takes a long time to learn. Funny how that doesn't seem to be a problem for other teams. No wonder we look like we're playing with one hand tied behind out back offensively.

I agree with your overall take here. As to the passing game Lester in his first season had to deal with much instability at QB. We had an elite running game and that became the focus. Many posters said here this offensive rebuild would take time and not happen in one season.