QB: Looks like we got 4 on schollie going into next year. I don't think we'll mix up the fruit basket and bring in a transfer. I really hope we don't "announce" next year's starter and lose the other one ala Beathard/Rudock. I think both Petras and Padilla have to understand that they aren't world beaters right now and this is probably their best situation. Petras has 1 more crack at this and I think based on us continuing to go to him, he must look better in practice and have better offense command. I think he's told he will have every opportunity come spring/fall. Padilla, much like the younger Beathard wants to play. He'd probably much rather have them come out and name him the starter. Don't know if he thinks he could play elsewhere or what but we have to somehow keep both. Labas beat out the guy in front of him (Hogan) and now looks to be in a good position to be a multi-year starter. May of course comes in as well. I like 5, so personally I'd look for a JUCO walkon or HS walkon to join the room.
Petras/Padilla, Labas, May RS
Go find a JUCO QB to come in as walkon...possibly one with RS available. Have them use RS, put them in Labas class and offer opportunity in 2 years.
RB: We've gone into a season with as many as 8 scholarship RBs I remember. We are heading into this one with 5 (one of which is Hilson who could be a LB). Our young guys are heading into their Sophomore campaign. This is where I'd have the honest talk about bringing in some experience, an upperclassman. I'd look for a transfer here. Also would explore a Mekhi Sargent situation in which you bring in a JUCO guy as a walkon, allowing himself to compete for a job. Patterson probably Redshirts, Johnson plays, putting him in Hilson's class. Good distribution there. Go get 2 more RBs next year. This room needs replenished. I like what we have but all those young guys need to understand, nothing is given, and I'm going to bring in some experience to challenge.
G Williams, L Williams, (KJohnson), Hilson, Patterson RS, *White, *Brand
Really believe you got to go get a Transfer portal RB.
FB: Pottebaum is the only scholarship fullback and he is going into his senior year. Have to believe that backup FB Turner Pallisard gets a scholarship going into next fall.
Pottebaum, Pallisard, Plewa.....move Lemoris here now.
1 Walkon awarded Scholarship
WR: Much like RB, it seems like we are going into next year with a low number of scholarships. Especially unproven guys. Perhaps the most important recruit right now is Charlie Jones. That'd put us at 7. You go into next year with K Johnson, Jones, Ragaini, Bruce....solid 4. Vines, Brecht, Bostick...great opportunity to travel and get on special teams. I'd be on the lookout for another returner/WR type from small school...Easley, Jones type. Especially one with a redshirt available....come in and sit behind Jones, then have the opportunity to take over.
X: Johnson, Brecht/Ritter
Z: Ragaini/Jones, J Johnson/Wick....Bostick
Slot: Bruce, Vines, Donald
+2 more: Possible Portal---Diamond in the rough Returner/WR ala Jones/Ragaini AND Size.
TE: Another position that seems low. Usually we carry around 7. We almost always bring in 2 guys, and usually 1 makes it through. We did not recruit a 2018 TE but LaPorta RS came off. Miamen's transfer isn't ideal because he'd be the lone 2019 TE, but he moved probably because of Lachey. Yelverton is important to keep and he'll have an opportunity to contribute this year. Didn't recruit a TE last year, but got two good walkons. I predict a position switch. I'd like to see us put weight on Jackson Ritter, or move Zach Twedt here.
Laporta, Lachey,
Host of guys: Yelverton, Frericks (position switch WR), Lentsch, Pascuzzi, Limouris (possible FB)........Ostrenga/Vanderbush...both need RS.
Move: Twedt, Ritter
OL: We have an ambundance. We have 17 guys on scholarship here. Probably losing 1 with Linderbaum. If we are adding guys here it's because of a talent issue.
LT: Richman (Plumb)
LG: Ince
C: Myslinski
RG: Britt/DeJong,
RT: Colby (Plumb)
Iowa always plays 6....IF you trust Britt, do you move him to Center? If you don't, do you trust a RS Freshman??? Schott would have been a huge help here, but looks like he's moving on. I don't think the staff trusts Britt quite yet as he didn't play at the end even when Plumb/DeJong did. Therefore, I think we go all in on Myslinski, have Britt be a rotation guy for his senior year. DeJong as well. Plumb backs up both tackle positions. There are your 7.
LT: Dunker/Endres, Fahey*........Dotzler
LG: Volk, Thurm*
C: Fagan*/Fox*, Liddle
RG: Stephens, Chaplin*
RT: Elsbury/Davidkov.........Krogh
Reward backup C walkon. (Fagan/Fox).....unless a schollie guy (Liddle) could learn it.
DL: 17 on scholarship...again an abundance. Probably not adding anything here.
DE: Waggoner/Hurkett, -----Llewellen, Sweeney*..............Crawford
DT: Lee, Van Ness-----Bowie...................................................Allen
DT: Shannon, Black-----L Jones, Stec, Pittman...................Graves
DE: Craig/Evans-----Reames, Witte*
*I think we really have to like our DL room. Obviously one of the very hardest positions to recruit is interior defensive line. More often than not, we don't get the 300lb move like a deer guy. Teams have to reach for those big boys and hope they move/have work ethic to get lean and use their body ala Carl Davis, Jaleel Johnson. We got 2 in Yayhya Black and Noah Shannon. We've recruited 2 in Logan Jones and Jeremiah Pittman. We've also awarded a schollie to Louie Stec. And now Aaron Graves could do it as well. Continue to develop better here (at Nose). The next hardest for us is the every down Defensive end that not only plays the run but also rushes the pass. Van Valkenberg was a huuuuuge find. Waggoner is good vs run, Evans vs pass. I think we'll use both next year much like this year. However, we need to find that guy that can do BOTH. Deontae Craig is probably next in line. Hurkett I believe is better than anticipated as well. Llewellyn down the road. Guys that don't have that quick twitch move down to the other DT spot. Logan Lee, Van Ness, Jeff Bowie. Overall, I don't think we go big game hunting because I think we like Craig, Hurkett. If Hurkett's injury is a concern however, you might look for one.
LB: 11 on scholarship. I think our philosophy regarding LBs has changed with the CASH addition. No longer will you see us go after 3 LBs in a cycle. Probably stick to 2 but really push this position via walkon program. Guys like Timm, Fisher...put in the time through special teams. Makes me not love the recruiting class as much. I think both guys have potential, but if we are only getting 2 in a cycle, you really have to hit and not miss.
MIKE: Campbell
WILL: Benson/Jacobs
LEO: Benson/Jacobs
Future:
MIKE: Higgins, Timm*/Sullivan..........Montgomery
WILL: Sharar/Fisher, Harrell, Wegener*, Miller*..........Van Kekericx
LEO: Klemp, Twedt, Smith*, Epenesa*/Telander*
Movement: Move Twedt to TE.......Harrell, Van Kekerix can learn LEO down the road.
DBs: Take from the LBs and give to the DBs. We constantly need to keep high numbers here now with our defense and the value this group brings to special teams. That...and much like OL, if we gain a following, exploit it and get as many stars as you can here. There was also opportunity this year as DeJean was our ONLY DB recruit last year, and he already bumped up a year. Kirk talked about replenishing the room and they hit big time.
CB: Roberts, Lawson/Deasfernandes. Heinz
FS: DeJean/Schulte, (Nwankpa), Craddieth/Hartleib
SS: Merriweather/Belton, Castro, Rexroth
CB: Harris, (Hall), Cooke................................................Trader
Cash: Belton, Bracy........................................................Entringer
What do you do with DeJean?? You'll go into Spring with Roberts, Harris at Corner. Merriweather, Belton at Safety. What's Koerner do?? IF he comes back, you keep DeJean at Corner to compete with Lawson, Deasferandes for 3rd corner. Hall coming in spring is huge....he'll probably play next year. Koerner comes back, you plan on having Nwankpa as his backup, RS off. If he doesn't you move DeJean there and award Schulte a scholarship and have all 3 (DeJean, Schulte, Nwankpa) compete for starting FS. Have a real hard time believing Nwankpa comes in Day 1 as starting QB of the defense. Jordan Bernstine was a high 4* and he didn't do it...played corner. I think best case is he plays and learns this year, and starts Year 2. Koerner coming back would be huge for him and us IMO.
1 Schollie awarded to Schulte.
K/P/LS: Taylor has the only schollie in the room. Obviously you are going to reward your starting K and LS.
1 Kicker awarded (Blom), 1 LS awarded (Elkin)
K: Blom*, Amaya*
P: Taylor, Phelps
LS: Elkin, Reardon
Overall....you have 4 spots available. I'd use:
1 Transfer portal....starting RB.
1 Transfer portal....WR/KR
1 Late Signing WR.
1 Scholarship available prior to team deflections:
Give 1 out right now......K Aaron Blom
After any team deflections:
1. LS Elkin
2. FS Schulte
3. LB Fisher
4. FB Pallisard
5. **Make sure Matt Fagan comes back for SR year. Award him if you have to...it's only for 1 year.
Petras/Padilla, Labas, May RS
Go find a JUCO QB to come in as walkon...possibly one with RS available. Have them use RS, put them in Labas class and offer opportunity in 2 years.
RB: We've gone into a season with as many as 8 scholarship RBs I remember. We are heading into this one with 5 (one of which is Hilson who could be a LB). Our young guys are heading into their Sophomore campaign. This is where I'd have the honest talk about bringing in some experience, an upperclassman. I'd look for a transfer here. Also would explore a Mekhi Sargent situation in which you bring in a JUCO guy as a walkon, allowing himself to compete for a job. Patterson probably Redshirts, Johnson plays, putting him in Hilson's class. Good distribution there. Go get 2 more RBs next year. This room needs replenished. I like what we have but all those young guys need to understand, nothing is given, and I'm going to bring in some experience to challenge.
G Williams, L Williams, (KJohnson), Hilson, Patterson RS, *White, *Brand
Really believe you got to go get a Transfer portal RB.
FB: Pottebaum is the only scholarship fullback and he is going into his senior year. Have to believe that backup FB Turner Pallisard gets a scholarship going into next fall.
Pottebaum, Pallisard, Plewa.....move Lemoris here now.
1 Walkon awarded Scholarship
WR: Much like RB, it seems like we are going into next year with a low number of scholarships. Especially unproven guys. Perhaps the most important recruit right now is Charlie Jones. That'd put us at 7. You go into next year with K Johnson, Jones, Ragaini, Bruce....solid 4. Vines, Brecht, Bostick...great opportunity to travel and get on special teams. I'd be on the lookout for another returner/WR type from small school...Easley, Jones type. Especially one with a redshirt available....come in and sit behind Jones, then have the opportunity to take over.
X: Johnson, Brecht/Ritter
Z: Ragaini/Jones, J Johnson/Wick....Bostick
Slot: Bruce, Vines, Donald
+2 more: Possible Portal---Diamond in the rough Returner/WR ala Jones/Ragaini AND Size.
TE: Another position that seems low. Usually we carry around 7. We almost always bring in 2 guys, and usually 1 makes it through. We did not recruit a 2018 TE but LaPorta RS came off. Miamen's transfer isn't ideal because he'd be the lone 2019 TE, but he moved probably because of Lachey. Yelverton is important to keep and he'll have an opportunity to contribute this year. Didn't recruit a TE last year, but got two good walkons. I predict a position switch. I'd like to see us put weight on Jackson Ritter, or move Zach Twedt here.
Laporta, Lachey,
Host of guys: Yelverton, Frericks (position switch WR), Lentsch, Pascuzzi, Limouris (possible FB)........Ostrenga/Vanderbush...both need RS.
Move: Twedt, Ritter
OL: We have an ambundance. We have 17 guys on scholarship here. Probably losing 1 with Linderbaum. If we are adding guys here it's because of a talent issue.
LT: Richman (Plumb)
LG: Ince
C: Myslinski
RG: Britt/DeJong,
RT: Colby (Plumb)
Iowa always plays 6....IF you trust Britt, do you move him to Center? If you don't, do you trust a RS Freshman??? Schott would have been a huge help here, but looks like he's moving on. I don't think the staff trusts Britt quite yet as he didn't play at the end even when Plumb/DeJong did. Therefore, I think we go all in on Myslinski, have Britt be a rotation guy for his senior year. DeJong as well. Plumb backs up both tackle positions. There are your 7.
LT: Dunker/Endres, Fahey*........Dotzler
LG: Volk, Thurm*
C: Fagan*/Fox*, Liddle
RG: Stephens, Chaplin*
RT: Elsbury/Davidkov.........Krogh
Reward backup C walkon. (Fagan/Fox).....unless a schollie guy (Liddle) could learn it.
DL: 17 on scholarship...again an abundance. Probably not adding anything here.
DE: Waggoner/Hurkett, -----Llewellen, Sweeney*..............Crawford
DT: Lee, Van Ness-----Bowie...................................................Allen
DT: Shannon, Black-----L Jones, Stec, Pittman...................Graves
DE: Craig/Evans-----Reames, Witte*
*I think we really have to like our DL room. Obviously one of the very hardest positions to recruit is interior defensive line. More often than not, we don't get the 300lb move like a deer guy. Teams have to reach for those big boys and hope they move/have work ethic to get lean and use their body ala Carl Davis, Jaleel Johnson. We got 2 in Yayhya Black and Noah Shannon. We've recruited 2 in Logan Jones and Jeremiah Pittman. We've also awarded a schollie to Louie Stec. And now Aaron Graves could do it as well. Continue to develop better here (at Nose). The next hardest for us is the every down Defensive end that not only plays the run but also rushes the pass. Van Valkenberg was a huuuuuge find. Waggoner is good vs run, Evans vs pass. I think we'll use both next year much like this year. However, we need to find that guy that can do BOTH. Deontae Craig is probably next in line. Hurkett I believe is better than anticipated as well. Llewellyn down the road. Guys that don't have that quick twitch move down to the other DT spot. Logan Lee, Van Ness, Jeff Bowie. Overall, I don't think we go big game hunting because I think we like Craig, Hurkett. If Hurkett's injury is a concern however, you might look for one.
LB: 11 on scholarship. I think our philosophy regarding LBs has changed with the CASH addition. No longer will you see us go after 3 LBs in a cycle. Probably stick to 2 but really push this position via walkon program. Guys like Timm, Fisher...put in the time through special teams. Makes me not love the recruiting class as much. I think both guys have potential, but if we are only getting 2 in a cycle, you really have to hit and not miss.
MIKE: Campbell
WILL: Benson/Jacobs
LEO: Benson/Jacobs
Future:
MIKE: Higgins, Timm*/Sullivan..........Montgomery
WILL: Sharar/Fisher, Harrell, Wegener*, Miller*..........Van Kekericx
LEO: Klemp, Twedt, Smith*, Epenesa*/Telander*
Movement: Move Twedt to TE.......Harrell, Van Kekerix can learn LEO down the road.
DBs: Take from the LBs and give to the DBs. We constantly need to keep high numbers here now with our defense and the value this group brings to special teams. That...and much like OL, if we gain a following, exploit it and get as many stars as you can here. There was also opportunity this year as DeJean was our ONLY DB recruit last year, and he already bumped up a year. Kirk talked about replenishing the room and they hit big time.
CB: Roberts, Lawson/Deasfernandes. Heinz
FS: DeJean/Schulte, (Nwankpa), Craddieth/Hartleib
SS: Merriweather/Belton, Castro, Rexroth
CB: Harris, (Hall), Cooke................................................Trader
Cash: Belton, Bracy........................................................Entringer
What do you do with DeJean?? You'll go into Spring with Roberts, Harris at Corner. Merriweather, Belton at Safety. What's Koerner do?? IF he comes back, you keep DeJean at Corner to compete with Lawson, Deasferandes for 3rd corner. Hall coming in spring is huge....he'll probably play next year. Koerner comes back, you plan on having Nwankpa as his backup, RS off. If he doesn't you move DeJean there and award Schulte a scholarship and have all 3 (DeJean, Schulte, Nwankpa) compete for starting FS. Have a real hard time believing Nwankpa comes in Day 1 as starting QB of the defense. Jordan Bernstine was a high 4* and he didn't do it...played corner. I think best case is he plays and learns this year, and starts Year 2. Koerner coming back would be huge for him and us IMO.
1 Schollie awarded to Schulte.
K/P/LS: Taylor has the only schollie in the room. Obviously you are going to reward your starting K and LS.
1 Kicker awarded (Blom), 1 LS awarded (Elkin)
K: Blom*, Amaya*
P: Taylor, Phelps
LS: Elkin, Reardon
Overall....you have 4 spots available. I'd use:
1 Transfer portal....starting RB.
1 Transfer portal....WR/KR
1 Late Signing WR.
1 Scholarship available prior to team deflections:
Give 1 out right now......K Aaron Blom
After any team deflections:
1. LS Elkin
2. FS Schulte
3. LB Fisher
4. FB Pallisard
5. **Make sure Matt Fagan comes back for SR year. Award him if you have to...it's only for 1 year.
