The Curious Case of Jay Scheel

[iowalaw]

Iowa football has long been low on talent at the WR. We finally go out and land a 4 star WR a few years ago who actually had major college offers. He has since spent 2 years in the program learning the playbook and the system. He shined at the spring game. He climbed up to the two deeps.

Where is he now? He's riding the pine while a bunch of 2 star kids who can't get separation are playing in front of him. Walk on Andrew Stone even had a catch last week. Two true freshmen WRs have been playing.

Our #1 WR went down with an injury, we have no one else who can get separation, and Scheel still can't crack the top 7 WRs? Something doesn't smell right. Is Jay in Kirk's dog house? Can he not learn the playbook? What's the deal? I know he was slightly dinged up for the first game, but is 100% by now.

We need playmakers at WR. Why not give our 4 star tall, fast WR a shot?

 

[Kurt Warner]

Very good question, I have been wondering this too. Another willies in the making?

 

[cw_hawk]

Iowa football has long been low on talent at the WR. We finally go out and land a 4 star WR a few years ago who actually had major college offers. He has since spent 2 years in the program learning the playbook and the system. He shined at the spring game. He climbed up to the two deeps.

Where is he now? He's riding the pine while a bunch of 2 star kids who can't get separation are playing in front of him. Walk on Andrew Stone even had a catch last week. Two true freshmen WRs have been playing.

Our #1 WR went down with an injury, we have no one else who can get separation, and Scheel still can't crack the top 7 WRs? Something doesn't smell right. Is Jay in Kirk's dog house? Can he not learn the playbook? What's the deal? I know he was slightly dinged up for the first game, but is 100% by now.

We need playmakers at WR. Why not give our 4 star tall, fast WR a shot?

How did a troll like you ever get 44 Likes Received? Wait, never mind...

 

[MepoDawg#]

Hasn't he been battling injuries? Obviously it's something or he'd be playing with all this talent that everyone believes he has. Also, some look great in practice, but just don't perform on game day, and some are the other way around. Also, who was on defense during the spring when he shined?

 

[mthawkeyes]

I've had one personal snapshot of Jay Scheel as an athlete. My (then) HS team played Union in a 7-on-7 camp the summer before his senior year. Unsurprising, he was the best athlete on the field. But I was a little surprised when he chose to match up defensively with an incoming freshman on my team who was about 5'0", 95 lbs, and not very athletic. He pressed the smaller kid, jamming him hard and not letting him off the LOS. I can see this happening once or twice as you're often just matching up with a man as they break the huddle. But this continued for at least two possessions for 10-12 plays. Most good athletes would have switched with a teammate to challenge themselves personally or for the benefit of the team. (Maybe with the guy who was getting beaten by one of our better receivers as we were moving the ball down the field.)

Now as I said, this was a snapshot, with a sample size of one. We have all had moments (as athletes or otherwise) when we haven't been our best. And this is a snapshot of a 17-year-old kid, and kids often grow and change. But if this snapshot is not isolated, and is part of his general attitude and approach as an athlete, it wouldn't be surprising that a successful 3A prep is struggling in some ways as a Division I athlete.

 

[nu2u]

iowalaw's big item is lack of WR separation. It has been a problem but not as big an issue as he makes it out to be. There have been a good percentage of plays where Iowa WRs had good separation but were not targeted. Also, whether he likes it or not, some credit should be given to Wisconsin defenders for very good cover defense.

To the extent it has been a problem, however, iowalaw offers no evidence whatsoever that Jay Scheel could perform better than the current two-deeps other than his Rivals,com rating from high school. That by itself is a very week basis to make a claim for playing.

I too am anxious to see what Scheel can do. I'm sure he will get a shot if he stays patient. That Jerminic Smith is playing ahead of Scheel appears to indicate that either he is still not 100% or JSmith has shown better skills in practice, or some of both. Unless your stevenpatrick, one can only speculate.

This is almost the same point in his career when Willies quit. Stay prepared, work hard to improve, continue to practice hard and your opportunity will come soon enough.

 

[grosie#2]

Apparently he's not good enough to start. I'm sure Ferentz or WRs coach would start the best player that would help the team win. Wasn't there a WR a few years ago that was constantly in Ferentz's dog house and started anyway until he got kicked off the team. I think he was called DJK or something like that.

 

[icu81222]

Only SP knows the answer to this. Unfortunately, after being questioned about his sources, he is now keeping it to himself as punishment to us lowlings.

Drats. Maybe we should beg him to come back?

 

[SLarew]

Iowa football has long been low on talent at the WR. We finally go out and land a 4 star WR a few years ago who actually had major college offers. He has since spent 2 years in the program learning the playbook and the system. He shined at the spring game. He climbed up to the two deeps.

Where is he now? He's riding the pine while a bunch of 2 star kids who can't get separation are playing in front of him. Walk on Andrew Stone even had a catch last week. Two true freshmen WRs have been playing.

Our #1 WR went down with an injury, we have no one else who can get separation, and Scheel still can't crack the top 7 WRs? Something doesn't smell right. Is Jay in Kirk's dog house? Can he not learn the playbook? What's the deal? I know he was slightly dinged up for the first game, but is 100% by now.

We need playmakers at WR. Why not give our 4 star tall, fast WR a shot?

Injuries have put him behind others. Are you saying Scheelite is healthy???

Stop reaching

 

[Mantyhawk]

Only SP knows the answer to this. Unfortunately, after being questioned about his sources, he is now keeping it to himself as punishment to us lowlings.

Drats. Maybe we should beg him to come back?

Nah

 

[JeHo41]

He was a 4 star recruit as an athlete.......... not a WR

 

[ANYCHawk]

Good god. When will our fan base stop being raccoons. The newest, shiniest toy isn't always the best.

That's not to say he can't get there. But, players develop at different rate for a host of different reasons. But, good god we talk about the guys who don't play more than those who do. Sheel, Powell, CVB, etc. etc.

 

[ANYCHawk]

We need playmakers at WR. Why not give our 4 star tall, fast WR a shot?

Cause a true freshman is a better option apparently. What does that tell you about where Sheel is?

 

[Kurt Warner]

Cause a true freshman is a better option apparently. What does that tell you about where Sheel is?

True, maybe its a case of he isn't as good as advertised

 

[RocknRollface]

Is he injured or not?

 

[UnionFootballFan]

Hasn't this been explained over and over?

He had knee issues in high school, had surgery last year at Iowa, got to the two deeps this pre-season, and got dinged up and isn't 100%. With a young receiver fresh off a knee surgery, I don't think it would be wise to push him into action too early. Let him get healthy, the team can keep winning, and he can play when he is in the clear.

To say "his heart isn't in it", "he is on the doghouse", or any other BS is just guys with too much time on a message board.

 

[Kurt Warner]

Hasn't this been explained over and over?

He had knee issues in high school, had surgery last year at Iowa, got to the two deeps this pre-season, and got dinged up and isn't 100%. With a young receiver fresh off a knee surgery, I don't think it would be wise to push him into action too early. Let him get healthy, the team can keep winning, and he can play when he is in the clear.

To say "his heart isn't in it", "he is on the doghouse", or any other BS is just guys with too much time on a message board.

Guess you just explained it to us, I for one didn't know anything about knee issues and surgery, that explains a lot.

 

[IamHawkeye]

Guess you just explained it to us, I for one didn't know anything about knee issues and surgery, that explains a lot.

Which makes me wonder where you have been.

 

[Ladell-hawk]

Iowa football has long been low on talent at the WR. We finally go out and land a 4 star WR a few years ago who actually had major college offers. He has since spent 2 years in the program learning the playbook and the system. He shined at the spring game. He climbed up to the two deeps.

Where is he now? He's riding the pine while a bunch of 2 star kids who can't get separation are playing in front of him. Walk on Andrew Stone even had a catch last week. Two true freshmen WRs have been playing.

Our #1 WR went down with an injury, we have no one else who can get separation, and Scheel still can't crack the top 7 WRs? Something doesn't smell right. Is Jay in Kirk's dog house? Can he not learn the playbook? What's the deal? I know he was slightly dinged up for the first game, but is 100% by now.

We need playmakers at WR. Why not give our 4 star tall, fast WR a shot?

Maybe you aren't aware, but he has had a lot of injury problems since he got here. Hopefully he will get healthy and get on the field.

 

[iahawkeyes17]

Hasn't this been explained over and over?

He had knee issues in high school, had surgery last year at Iowa, got to the two deeps this pre-season, and got dinged up and isn't 100%. With a young receiver fresh off a knee surgery, I don't think it would be wise to push him into action too early. Let him get healthy, the team can keep winning, and he can play when he is in the clear.

To say "his heart isn't in it", "he is on the doghouse", or any other BS is just guys with too much time on a message board.

Thank you. No kidding he's only a red shirt freshman who is dinged up with injuries. I'd say look at it more as a positive that we also have a very impressive wr in smith who is playing as a true frosh. With hillyer and tevuan being seniors plenty of chances for scheel the next 3 seasons.

 

[scotthawk1964]

I would say that if the 4 star Scheel was actually better then the 2 star WR's at this point, he would probably be on the field. Why Scheel is not playing, I have no idea, but I don't go to there football practices. Until he see's the field, people here are just speculating, and usually, there speculations suck.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Ferentz is on record saying that Scheel has been dinged. Furthermore, although he didn't need to make such a comment ... he qualified his statement saying that he thinks that Scheel will have a good career as a Hawk.

That tells me that the coaches like the kid ... but he's just not healthy enough to be a contributor yet. It's foolish to throw kids or the coaches under any bus because you're ignorant concerning the facts. That's no excuse.

 

[iowalaw]

It looks like Smith will be out the entire month of October. If Scheel doesn't see the field during that time, then Smith comes back, it is safe to say that Scheel won't be playing at all this season, as he'd drop another rung on the depth chart ladder.

As a result, don't be surprised if we have a Willies transfer situation again where we will be left to wonder "what if" we played our most physically talented players.

 

[Teenage Dirtbag]

I don't know what good it does to be negative on the kid...if he was healthy and good enough he would be out there...but the timing isn't there. Because someone who probably (OK...definitely) never saw him play live and labeled him a 4-star recruit shouldn't bring added pressure. The star system is a joke and anyone close to the system knows this. But if Jay keeps working, he will be a factor down the road. And please don't compare him to a bad locker room influence like Willies. Totally different situation here. Wish him the best of luck!

 

[LeroyHawk]

Jerminic Smith got plenty of separation on a few occasions which would have been touchdowns. Unfortunately, the gusting winds made it tough to get the ball to him. When conditions are better, hopefully it will be a different story.

 

[iahawkeyes17]

It looks like Smith will be out the entire month of October. If Scheel doesn't see the field during that time, then Smith comes back, it is safe to say that Scheel won't be playing at all this season, as he'd drop another rung on the depth chart ladder.

As a result, don't be surprised if we have a Willies transfer situation again where we will be left to wonder "what if" we played our most physically talented players.

Scheel missed most of last season with an injury. Was on 2 deeps before another injury. Can't play him if he's injured even if allegedly most talented but that's up for debate. We have 2 seniors getting lot of snaps at wr in tevuan and hillyer. Lot of players don't play as red shirt freshman. Still plenty of time (3 1/2 yrs) remaining in scheel's eligibility to have an impact at Iowa. Scheel situation completely different than willies.

 

[OmahaHawkFan]

If this kid wasn't local would anyone care as much as they do? How about we start trusting that maybe, just maybe the coaches know what they are doing? Maybe Scheel can't pick up the plays? Whatever the reason this fan bases obsession over some kids is laughable.

 

[SigMaintHawk]

What was the story behind him not being with the team for the Ill State game? Maybe I'm confused, but I thought there were some posts about him not being with the team for that game?

 

[hawkssox1]

I would say that if the 4 star Scheel was actually better then the 2 star WR's at this point, he would probably be on the field. Why Scheel is not playing, I have no idea, but I don't go to there football practices. Until he see's the field, people here are just speculating, and usually, there speculations suck.

And what are YOU doing with your first sentence?

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

Wow, someone is trying very hard to stir the pot regarding JS. Reeks of ulterior motive to me....

 

[soybean]

I only know this about Jay. When he is finally healthy and finally on the field he will make a difference. If you havn't seen him in person yet you are in for a treat when he gets the football in his hands.

 

[David1979]

What was the story behind him not being with the team for the Ill State game? Maybe I'm confused, but I thought there were some posts about him not being with the team for that game?

I think someone confirmed that he actually got in for a couple plays in the Illinois State game.

Like others have said Ferentz indicated he was injured most of camp and he was injured all of last year. That plus he is still learning to be a WR as he played QB mostly in high school. But for the most part it is hard to get on the field if you are constantly injured. Maybe he is just a kid that can't stay healthy. Kirk said he thinks that he has a very good future ahead of him at Iowa so the staff obviously likes him. Hopefully he can get healthy and get on the field.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

The issue is a simple matter of injury and timing - combined with the fact that he has no prior college game experience to build off of. Specifically, just look at Jake Duzey. We all already know that he's one heck of a football player. However, in spite of all his experience, he's only slowly getting eased back into action in order to get back to his prior playing form.

Now consider how things would work for a guy who really has no experience working with the #1s and is still rehabbing from injuries. How quickly is he going to be able to transition into a role where he's going to see quality positional game reps? The answer is simple ... not quickly at all. The training staff first needs to help get him healthy enough so that he can "trust" his own body first. It's too hard for a player to focus on their positional responsibilities if they're worried about their own body.

I imagine that once he's healthy, they'll likely transition him into having some special teams responsibilities (provided spots are available) - and that will acclimate him some to the speed of the game. He'll then get his chance to climb the ladder by impressing the coaches through his play on special teams and on the scout team. If he makes strides there ... through weekly prep, he might be able to get limited work. Of course, a lot of that will be dictated on what strides he makes under the tutelage of his fellow players. Unless a guy is definitely going to be a contributor (1st and 2nd teamers, for the most part) - the lower-teamers and younger guys typically don't get much individualized coaching from the coaches during the season. Thus, that is why fall and spring camps and bowl-prep is so important ... because that is when the coaches have time to give the younger guys more attention. Bye weeks can sometimes afford coaches that luxury as well.

Anyhow, people need to drop this whole issue - Jay Scheel will be a contributor down the road, there's still plenty of time for it to happen.

 

[scotthawk1964]

And what are YOU doing with your first sentence?

Well.......To many people on the board get preoccupied with the recruits stars, not performance. If Scheel is dinged, that is probably why he is not playing. But just because he has 4 stars doesn't mean he is out performing a recruit with 2 stars.
When reading the original OP, he is asking why we are playing a kid with 2 stars and a walk on in front of our 4 star recruits.

 

[hawkssox1]

Well.......To many people on the board get preoccupied with the recruits stars, not performance. If Scheel is dinged, that is probably why he is not playing. But just because he has 4 stars doesn't mean he is out performing a recruit with 2 stars.
When reading the original OP, he is asking why we are playing a kid with 2 stars and a walk on in front of our 4 star recruits.

OP doesen't have a clue.

 

[bagdropper]

It looks like Smith will be out the entire month of October. If Scheel doesn't see the field during that time, then Smith comes back, it is safe to say that Scheel won't be playing at all this season, as he'd drop another rung on the depth chart ladder.

As a result, don't be surprised if we have a Willies transfer situation again where we will be left to wonder "what if" we played our most physically talented players.

If Scheel was healthy and the best WR ready to play, he would play (just like Willies)...period.

I will never understand the concept of Willies being Iowa's best WR based upon his physical skills only...being confirmed by posters who have never once coached the guy, watched every one of their practices, etc...

Willies didn't play like he wanted to and posters here wanted him too because he wasn't good enough, period end of statement. The EXACT SAME STANDARD applies to Scheel.

By your standard, the most physically taleneted player plays above all...even if the guy runs the wrong way on every play, dadgummit he's faster and taller so play him!

I think there's a bit more top it than that...like, I dunno, health, study habits, practice habits, accountability, coachability. Things like that.

You know...all the things Willies abviously didn't do enough of to see the field more while here.

 

[DodgerHawki]

Wow, someone is trying very hard to stir the pot regarding JS. Reeks of ulterior motive to me....

Yeah pretty sad to see. Scheel just needs 12 continuous months of relative health to be able to show his skills. Sounds like was starting to do that in August camp, but injuries put guys behind. Period. It's why I am skeptical that Duzey will make much of an impact at all this year. You just don't miss all that time with a major injury and just resume where you were before the injury.

There will be plenty of opportunity next year for Scheel and other WR's to step up with the graduation of T. Smith and Hillyer. Hopefully he can be healthy and show what he can do.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

I will never understand the concept of Willies being Iowa's best WR based upon his physical skills only...being confirmed by posters who have never once coached the guy, watched every one of their practices, etc...

Willies didn't play like he wanted to and posters here wanted him too because he wasn't good enough, period end of statement.

The problem is that there is a culture of people who cannot find the distinction between potential and ability. I'm a theoretical physicist by trade and I can attest that I know some exceptionally bright minds .... however, I've known plenty of bright minds that never pushed themselves to refine their craft ... and those minds never "grew." Problem solving is a SKILL. Similarly, playing football is a SKILL.

 

[nu2u]

The issue is a simple matter of injury and timing - combined with the fact that he has no prior college game experience to build off of. Specifically, just look at Jake Duzey. We all already know that he's one heck of a football player. However, in spite of all his experience, he's only slowly getting eased back into action in order to get back to his prior playing form.

Now consider how things would work for a guy who really has no experience working with the #1s and is still rehabbing from injuries. How quickly is he going to be able to transition into a role where he's going to see quality positional game reps? The answer is simple ... not quickly at all. The training staff first needs to help get him healthy enough so that he can "trust" his own body first. It's too hard for a player to focus on their positional responsibilities if they're worried about their own body.

I imagine that once he's healthy, they'll likely transition him into having some special teams responsibilities (provided spots are available) - and that will acclimate him some to the speed of the game. He'll then get his chance to climb the ladder by impressing the coaches through his play on special teams and on the scout team. If he makes strides there ... through weekly prep, he might be able to get limited work. Of course, a lot of that will be dictated on what strides he makes under the tutelage of his fellow players. Unless a guy is definitely going to be a contributor (1st and 2nd teamers, for the most part) - the lower-teamers and younger guys typically don't get much individualized coaching from the coaches during the season. Thus, that is why fall and spring camps and bowl-prep is so important ... because that is when the coaches have time to give the younger guys more attention. Bye weeks can sometimes afford coaches that luxury as well.

Anyhow, people need to drop this whole issue - Jay Scheel will be a contributor down the road, there's still plenty of time for it to happen.

This is a very reasonable explanation but I doubt that iowalaw will grasp it because Jay Scheel was a very good high school player dammit.

 

[srams21]

I'm not trying to defend the OP but just offering this ...
I think it's natural to wonder why a four star athlete is not playing or on the two deeps. I don't think it's always meant to imply a fault on the coaching staff either.

If we are being honest, Iowa does not exactly have a great WR corps especially with Tevaun out. On top of that, we do not get very many 4 star athletes. So, regardless of his absence of a college resume for Scheel, it is natural to wonder why he hasn't gotten any playing time yet. Whether it's injuries, lack of development, or something else it's more of a question than an implication of something more.

Just my two cents.