Recruiting

[cheerscoach]

Iowa has a great core in place for next years class, but people always worry about finishing the class, and sometimes call the latter recruits 'fallbacks' or whatever. I am confident that their trend will continue of bringing in some good late recruits and a few hidden gems. There is room for about 5 more, and I think they will be good ones, and 2 of them will probably be kids that we've never heard of.

I say we have a trend going, well let's look back into the near past and look at some of our last 5-6 kids signed.
2018
McDonald (last to commit) - a definite steal. Can't wait for him to get healthy again.
Merriweather (3rd to last) - already making waves and playing special teams.
Benson (5th to last) - Has already appeared on the depth chart as a true freshman.
2017
Smith-Marsette (last to commit) - Started playing as a true freshman. Showing improvement this year.
Nixon (2nd to last commit) - Can't wait to get this guy into the rotation in the middle next year!
Stone (3rd to last commit) - Saw the field last year, having a good year, I think will shine next year!
2016
Aleric Jackson (last commit) - Starter as a RSFrosh. Possible NFL'r when he's done.
Beyer (2nd to last commit) - He was a hidden gem. Will probably be our star TE his Sr. year.
Fant (3rd to last commit) - Has the potential to be one of the best TE's to come through Iowa.
Welch (5th to last) - Some thought he was a fallback, but he is one hell of a LB and FB player.

As you can see, we have a nice little 'trend' going and I hope it will continue this year. I think it will as this staff is working a lot harder and smarter. I have my doubts about us landing Bell, but who knows, and even if we don't we'll be fine. There is probably an under-recruited WR out there somewhere.

 

[LaQuintaHawkeye]

...

 

[Kinnick.At.Night]

Didn’t read.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

Iowa has a great core in place for next years class, but people always worry about finishing the class, and sometimes call the latter recruits 'fallbacks' or whatever. I am confident that their trend will continue of bringing in some good late recruits and a few hidden gems. There is room for about 5 more, and I think they will be good ones, and 2 of them will probably be kids that we've never heard of.

I say we have a trend going, well let's look back into the near past and look at some of our last 5-6 kids signed.
2018
McDonald (last to commit) - a definite steal. Can't wait for him to get healthy again.
Merriweather (3rd to last) - already making waves and playing special teams.
Benson (5th to last) - Has already appeared on the depth chart as a true freshman.
2017
Smith-Marsette (last to commit) - Started playing as a true freshman. Showing improvement this year.
Nixon (2nd to last commit) - Can't wait to get this guy into the rotation in the middle next year!
Stone (3rd to last commit) - Saw the field last year, having a good year, I think will shine next year!
2016
Aleric Jackson (last commit) - Starter as a RSFrosh. Possible NFL'r when he's done.
Beyer (2nd to last commit) - He was a hidden gem. Will probably be our star TE his Sr. year.
Fant (3rd to last commit) - Has the potential to be one of the best TE's to come through Iowa.
Welch (5th to last) - Some thought he was a fallback, but he is one hell of a LB and FB player.

As you can see, we have a nice little 'trend' going and I hope it will continue this year. I think it will as this staff is working a lot harder and smarter. I have my doubts about us landing Bell, but who knows, and even if we don't we'll be fine. There is probably an under-recruited WR out there somewhere.

They need to take the elliot kid from Warren central with a late pick imo.

 

[grayhair81]

Welch committed in July of 16. I don't remember anyone thinking he was a fall-back recruit. He was 5th-to-last to commit because that class nearly filled up in June. June 2016 may have been the most productive month of recruiting in Hawk history. Fant committed late August and was back and forth between Iowa and Nebraska. Alaric didn't sign until signing day because Michigan was slow playing him in case one of their bigger targets flipped at the last second.
2018 has been a little bit down in terms of star power from the last few classes. It doesn't mean they won't turn into a great class, it is just a little bit surprising they haven't continued last year's recruiting momentum. Besides Bell, I don't know of any 4* player they are really in on.

 

[percyland]

I’d they don’t get Bell this recruiting class it could end up ranked in the high 40s to low 50s for a class.

Historically our classes that were poorly ranked overall ended up not producing many contributors unfortunately. And should be a little worrisome.

 

[Frosty7130]

Welch committed in July of 16. I don't remember anyone thinking he was a fall-back recruit. He was 5th-to-last to commit because that class nearly filled up in June. June 2016 may have been the most productive month of recruiting in Hawk history. Fant committed late August and was back and forth between Iowa and Nebraska. Alaric didn't sign until signing day because Michigan was slow playing him in case one of their bigger targets flipped at the last second.
2018 has been a little bit down in terms of star power from the last few classes. It doesn't mean they won't turn into a great class, it is just a little bit surprising they haven't continued last year's recruiting momentum. Besides Bell, I don't know of any 4* player they are really in on.

Well I'd consider this class as one that filled up early as well. It seems like for the most part they're getting their first/second targets, stars be damned.

 

[Ripcord280]

Iowa has a great core in place for next years class, but people always worry about finishing the class, and sometimes call the latter recruits 'fallbacks' or whatever. I am confident that their trend will continue of bringing in some good late recruits and a few hidden gems. There is room for about 5 more, and I think they will be good ones, and 2 of them will probably be kids that we've never heard of.

I say we have a trend going, well let's look back into the near past and look at some of our last 5-6 kids signed.
2018
McDonald (last to commit) - a definite steal. Can't wait for him to get healthy again.
Merriweather (3rd to last) - already making waves and playing special teams.
Benson (5th to last) - Has already appeared on the depth chart as a true freshman.
2017
Smith-Marsette (last to commit) - Started playing as a true freshman. Showing improvement this year.
Nixon (2nd to last commit) - Can't wait to get this guy into the rotation in the middle next year!
Stone (3rd to last commit) - Saw the field last year, having a good year, I think will shine next year!
2016
Aleric Jackson (last commit) - Starter as a RSFrosh. Possible NFL'r when he's done.
Beyer (2nd to last commit) - He was a hidden gem. Will probably be our star TE his Sr. year.
Fant (3rd to last commit) - Has the potential to be one of the best TE's to come through Iowa.
Welch (5th to last) - Some thought he was a fallback, but he is one hell of a LB and FB player.

As you can see, we have a nice little 'trend' going and I hope it will continue this year. I think it will as this staff is working a lot harder and smarter. I have my doubts about us landing Bell, but who knows, and even if we don't we'll be fine. There is probably an under-recruited WR out there somewhere.

Iowa has a great core in place for next years class, but people always worry about finishing the class, and sometimes call the latter recruits 'fallbacks' or whatever. I am confident that their trend will continue of bringing in some good late recruits and a few hidden gems. There is room for about 5 more, and I think they will be good ones, and 2 of them will probably be kids that we've never heard of.

I say we have a trend going, well let's look back into the near past and look at some of our last 5-6 kids signed.
2018
McDonald (last to commit) - a definite steal. Can't wait for him to get healthy again.
Merriweather (3rd to last) - already making waves and playing special teams.
Benson (5th to last) - Has already appeared on the depth chart as a true freshman.
2017
Smith-Marsette (last to commit) - Started playing as a true freshman. Showing improvement this year.
Nixon (2nd to last commit) - Can't wait to get this guy into the rotation in the middle next year!
Stone (3rd to last commit) - Saw the field last year, having a good year, I think will shine next year!
2016
Aleric Jackson (last commit) - Starter as a RSFrosh. Possible NFL'r when he's done.
Beyer (2nd to last commit) - He was a hidden gem. Will probably be our star TE his Sr. year.
Fant (3rd to last commit) - Has the potential to be one of the best TE's to come through Iowa.
Welch (5th to last) - Some thought he was a fallback, but he is one hell of a LB and FB player.

As you can see, we have a nice little 'trend' going and I hope it will continue this year. I think it will as this staff is working a lot harder and smarter. I have my doubts about us landing Bell, but who knows, and even if we don't we'll be fine. There is probably an under-recruited WR out there somewhere.

some very astute observations, cheerscoach. do me a favor and please use the word "penultimate" in place of "second to last" from now on. Thx.

 

[cheerscoach]

They need to take the elliot kid from Warren central with a late pick imo.

He's a interesting prospect. A little too small, a step too slow, but just a fricken football player. Sounds like an Iowa guy to me!

 

[unoHawkeye]

I’d they don’t get Bell this recruiting class it could end up ranked in the high 40s to low 50s for a class.

Historically our classes that were poorly ranked overall ended up not producing many contributors unfortunately. And should be a little worrisome.

Iowa got most of the guys they wanted/top or near-their-top options, in which case I’m not too worried.

It’s when they miss on guys and have to take multiple fallback recruits that I get nervous

 

[cheerscoach]

I’d they don’t get Bell this recruiting class it could end up ranked in the high 40s to low 50s for a class.

Historically our classes that were poorly ranked overall ended up not producing many contributors unfortunately. And should be a little worrisome.

That's debatable. The 2013 class (53rd) was one of our lowest (3rd lowest rated from a quick glance I did), but it produced Jewell, Wadley, King, LeShun Daniels, Matt Vandeberg, Boettger, Sean Welsh, and Bazata! I'll take that poorly ranked class any day! It also had Shimonek and Willies who have had some success in other places!

 

[cheerscoach]

Iowa got most of the guys they wanted/top or near-their-top options, in which case I’m not too worried.

It’s when they miss on guys and have to take multiple fallback recruits that I get nervous

They really haven't had any 'fallback' recruits lately, that was part of the point I was making, and except for a few years, they've found some really good late recruits or hidden gems at the end. I think this board has been through that numerous times over the years.

 

[CP84]

I’d they don’t get Bell this recruiting class it could end up ranked in the high 40s to low 50s for a class.

Historically our classes that were poorly ranked overall ended up not producing many contributors unfortunately. And should be a little worrisome.

Disagree.

Per 247, Iowa is currently ranked 38 with only 15 commits. 8 teams ahead of Iowa have lower average scores but are ranked higher based on quantity. When Iowa rounds out the class it's likely they'll settle in the 30 range which is typical.

Plus 247 has Iowa with three 4 star commits and Logan Lee nearly was a 4th. Lots of talent with this class even without Bell.

 

[unoHawkeye]

They really haven't had any 'fallback' recruits lately, that was part of the point I was making, and except for a few years, they've found some really good late recruits or hidden gems at the end. I think this board has been through that numerous times over the years.

Iowa’s success with “hidden gems” is well documented. Can’t rely on them though. The recruiting has been improving steadily, and we have won 8+ each of the last three years. I see 9+ this year and the opportunity for similar success in the foreseeable future

 

[Harbinger273]

Iowa's class for 2019 will end up in the 40's. Should be close to the last few classes. I'm not worried about the end ranking because I think we have gotten some ballers in the rough in true Iowa fashion. Several of them will show out during their time at Iowa and others will be solid players. I'm not sold on Bell coming here, but we will get who we need and make it work. Just need to keep improving each year.

 

[Hawk94Mn]

The ‘19 class is very very good. Iowa doesn’t need 4* players to compete if they can retain them and build them up.

To me 4* players are guys ready to play from day 1. Our current Defense has 2 4* or better players contributing and that’s Epenesa and Brents.

The Oline in ‘19 is fantastic. Same with the LB’s and Safety prospects. Campbell is a stud and Lee/Miamen have great offer list. I’m very confident this recruiting class will be looked upon fondly once they step on campus and will likely have a couple early contributors.

 

[cheerscoach]

The ‘19 class is very very good. Iowa doesn’t need 4* players to compete if they can retain them and build them up.

To me 4* players are guys ready to play from day 1. Our current Defense has 2 4* or better players contributing and that’s Epenesa and Brents.

The Oline in ‘19 is fantastic. Same with the LB’s and Safety prospects. Campbell is a stud and Lee/Miamen have great offer list. I’m very confident this recruiting class will be looked upon fondly once they step on campus and will likely have a couple early contributors.

I don't see any room for early contributors next year except at safety, but I agree with most everything else you say. That's a great situation for a developmental team to be in!

QB- Stanley back, both backups return. No room for new contributors
RB- 3 sophs with great experience. No room
WR- Smith-Marsette, Smith, Cooper and Tracy will probably hold down the top 4 spots and I think all 4 will be good. I don't think a freshman will compete unless they do get Bell.
TE- Hock, Wieting, Cook and Beyer will give the incoming freshmen a year to learn and get COLLEGE TE bodies. There is a big difference.
OL- Unless there are some injuries, the OL's top 7 for next year are pretty established. Nice to be able to keep developing this years and next years excellent crop!
DL- Lots of returners, some good ones waiting to get into the rotation. No room.
LB- 5 or our top 6 return. The 2 coming in are good ones and I think they will really push this years freshman, but I don't see them pushing the top 5.
DB- We return everyone except Gervase, which means we need some depth especially at FS.

Like I said, I agree that it is a solid class and most have a real chance to contribute in a couple years if they stick around.

 

[Hawk94Mn]

I don't see any room for early contributors next year except at safety, but I agree with most everything else you say. That's a great situation for a developmental team to be in!

QB- Stanley back, both backups return. No room for new contributors
RB- 3 sophs with great experience. No room
WR- Smith-Marsette, Smith, Cooper and Tracy will probably hold down the top 4 spots and I think all 4 will be good. I don't think a freshman will compete unless they do get Bell.
TE- Hock, Wieting, Cook and Beyer will give the incoming freshmen a year to learn and get COLLEGE TE bodies. There is a big difference.
OL- Unless there are some injuries, the OL's top 7 for next year are pretty established. Nice to be able to keep developing this years and next years excellent crop!
DL- Lots of returners, some good ones waiting to get into the rotation. No room.
LB- 5 or our top 6 return. The 2 coming in are good ones and I think they will really push this years freshman, but I don't see them pushing the top 5.
DB- We return everyone except Gervase, which means we need some depth especially at FS.

Like I said, I agree that it is a solid class and most have a real chance to contribute in a couple years if they stick around.

I think Campbell has a reasonable shot to receive meaningful snaps, but you're right with 3 guys back and another big body in the oven it doesn't seem likely.

I think Lee has a chance to see snaps as a third tightend because he is renowned as a developed blocker and I don't know if Beyer and Cook will be ready for that role. Still, a very stacked position.

Miamen is likely going to sit behind Beyer and Cook because he looks to be primarily a pass catching tightend

Miller, Endres, and Britt will all have the size to compete on the oline, but with 3 experienced tackles returning (plus Paulsen), and Plumb growing into his body making the two deeps at OT seems unreasonable. Perhaps one of them can move into a back-up interior position. However, Jenkins, Ince and Kirkpatrick will all have a leg up on them.

Castro at safety seems possible, but with the possibility of corners switching over and Craddieth coming on the likelyhood also seems low. I agree, not as much room once you look at the numbers. While people don't like to look forward during an already successful season its tough to see a future that isn't bright for this program.

 

[cheerscoach]

I think Campbell has a reasonable shot to receive meaningful snaps, but you're right with 3 guys back and another big body in the oven it doesn't seem likely.
There's 5 guys back that have game experience, not 3, plus 9 freshman including McDonald, Benson and Doyle. Him having a reasonable shot at getting snaps isn't very reasonable.

I think Lee has a chance to see snaps as a third tightend because he is renowned as a developed blocker and I don't know if Beyer and Cook will be ready for that role. Still, a very stacked position.
Beyer and Cook have been getting game reps and blocking well, and Hock and Wieting are beast blockers. He will NOT be the 3rd TE. He is a renowned blocker of HS kids in a small class Illinois school. Big difference.
Fant only played as a freshman because the cupboard was bare and he couldn't block anyone. He has a chance to play in 2020 when Cook graduates and especially if Hock skips his senior year.

Miamen is likely going to sit behind Beyer and Cook because he looks to be primarily a pass catching tightend He'll have time to learn to block.

Miller, Endres, and Britt will all have the size to compete on the oline, but with 3 experienced tackles returning (plus Paulsen), and Plumb growing into his body making the two deeps at OT seems unreasonable. Perhaps one of them can move into a back-up interior position. However, Jenkins, Ince and Kirkpatrick will all have a leg up on them. Agree

Castro at safety seems possible, but with the possibility of corners switching over and Craddieth coming on the likelyhood also seems low. I agree, not as much room once you look at the numbers. While people don't like to look forward during an already successful season its tough to see a future that isn't bright for this program.Is Craddieth 'coming on'? We don't know, but I'm pretty sure he's a SS. You're right, if one of the corners moves to FS, then Castro probably gets a year to learn and develop, if not there is no backup at FS besides a walk-on (Koerner) who may be up to the task. We don't know. I will emphasize that safety is our thinnest position next year and the area for the most opportunities, whether it's some kids already on campus or Castro/Belton

 

[millhawk]

I think Campbell has a reasonable shot to receive meaningful snaps, but you're right with 3 guys back and another big body in the oven it doesn't seem likely.

I think Lee has a chance to see snaps as a third tightend because he is renowned as a developed blocker and I don't know if Beyer and Cook will be ready for that role. Still, a very stacked position.

Miamen is likely going to sit behind Beyer and Cook because he looks to be primarily a pass catching tightend

Miller, Endres, and Britt will all have the size to compete on the oline, but with 3 experienced tackles returning (plus Paulsen), and Plumb growing into his body making the two deeps at OT seems unreasonable. Perhaps one of them can move into a back-up interior position. However, Jenkins, Ince and Kirkpatrick will all have a leg up on them.

Castro at safety seems possible, but with the possibility of corners switching over and Craddieth coming on the likelyhood also seems low. I agree, not as much room once you look at the numbers. While people don't like to look forward during an already successful season its tough to see a future that isn't bright for this program.

All the '19 oline guys redshirt is my guess. Don't sleep on Fenske 6'5" 285+ and was timed at 4.8 at Iowa's camp.

 

[Hawk94Mn]

Whoops, I meant Goodson at RB - I don't know why I typed Campbell. I forgot about Evans at RB too.

 

[grayhair81]

Things look REALLY good for the program in the immediate future. The key will be sustaining things. The Hawks have reached this point in the past and had things unravel. I am hopeful this doesn't happen this time.

 

[millhawk]

I think Campbell has a reasonable shot to receive meaningful snaps, but you're right with 3 guys back and another big body in the oven it doesn't seem likely.

I think Lee has a chance to see snaps as a third tightend because he is renowned as a developed blocker and I don't know if Beyer and Cook will be ready for that role. Still, a very stacked position.

Miamen is likely going to sit behind Beyer and Cook because he looks to be primarily a pass catching tightend

Miller, Endres, and Britt will all have the size to compete on the oline, but with 3 experienced tackles returning (plus Paulsen), and Plumb growing into his body making the two deeps at OT seems unreasonable. Perhaps one of them can move into a back-up interior position. However, Jenkins, Ince and Kirkpatrick will all have a leg up on them.

Castro at safety seems possible, but with the possibility of corners switching over and Craddieth coming on the likelyhood also seems low. I agree, not as much room once you look at the numbers. While people don't like to look forward during an already successful season its tough to see a future that isn't bright for this program.

Agree with you on Lee. If Beyer can block and I have no idea if he can, he has to figure in. He probably the fastest and most athletic of that group. A few more pounds of muscle wouldn't hurt.

 

[DutchyFunStar]

We may still have the signing day surprise of a Tanner Miller or George Kittle type. But a lot of the late signees in recent classes had to do with coaching changes or not getting the offer from their dream school. The early signing period comes into play too. They can lock up their guys and see who all remains unsigned or gets released from their commitment because of a coaching change.

 

[TKingpin]

There is a long history of those last signees being successful here. I go back to Bret Myers at TE who played football and basketball at a really high level at Prairie City-Monroe just east of DSM. Final day signing IIRC. His story was similar to Hock in that Moeaki was the higher profile TE, but you could count on Myers, not because Moeaki had the drops or blocking issues ( he was amazing at both), but because he was injured a lot. Bret had a very good NFL career, too.

All of this year’s current OL freshmen and the incoming group need to aim for the 2020 season. That is when they will be needed and counted on. Next year I foresee Aleric, Kallenberger, Banwart, Levi and Wirfs with the next 2 men in being Duwa and Landon. After the 2019 season Levi and Landon will graduate and both Aleric and Wirfs will be off to the NFL.

I suspect Jenkins will have an inside track at LG next to Kallenberger. RT will be wide open. The fact we haven’t seen Duwa in there during garbage time makes me wonder if he is really ready, yet. Maybe Jenkins with his quickness can be center, Britt LG after 2 years of rehabbing the ACL and Miller or Plumb at RT. The assumption is MK at LT and Banwart at RG. Fenske, Endres, Kirkpatrick, ince, etc. will all have 2 years to be ready.

One thing we may have missed is that there always seems to be at least one walk-on at OL that muscles his way into the starting line-up. My guess is James Winters’ son, but my endorsement is usually the kiss of death. Once that big body gets “Doyle’d”, if he has the same mental toughness of his dad - look-out!

 

[cheerscoach]

There is a long history of those last signees being successful here. I go back to Bret Myers at TE who played football and basketball at a really high level at Prairie City-Monroe just east of DSM. Final day signing IIRC. His story was similar to Hock in that Moeaki was the higher profile TE, but you could count on Myers, not because Moeaki had the drops or blocking issues ( he was amazing at both), but because he was injured a lot. Bret had a very good NFL career, too.

All of this year’s current OL freshmen and the incoming group need to aim for the 2020 season. That is when they will be needed and counted on. Next year I foresee Aleric, Kallenberger, Banwart, Levi and Wirfs with the next 2 men in being Duwa and Landon. After the 2019 season Levi and Landon will graduate and both Aleric and Wirfs will be off to the NFL.

I suspect Jenkins will have an inside track at LG next to Kallenberger. RT will be wide open. The fact we haven’t seen Duwa in there during garbage time makes me wonder if he is really ready, yet. Maybe Jenkins with his quickness can be center, Britt LG after 2 years of rehabbing the ACL and Miller or Plumb at RT. The assumption is MK at LT and Banwart at RG. Fenske, Endres, Kirkpatrick, ince, etc. will all have 2 years to be ready.

One thing we may have missed is that there always seems to be at least one walk-on at OL that muscles his way into the starting line-up. My guess is James Winters’ son, but my endorsement is usually the kiss of death. Once that big body gets “Doyle’d”, if he has the same mental toughness of his dad - look-out!

I'm betting on Kyle Sorenson as the Walk-on to watch!