This year's squad is an interesting mix of young talent and solid seniors who are good for the system but later round NFL draft picks at best (and more likely practice squad types). Aside from Nixon, a junior, he only senior on the roster with any credible NFL buzz right now is Alaric Jackson, and he certainly hasn't helped his draft stock this year.
For the first time in college football history, the NCAA has granted waivers to everyone on the team should they want an extra year of eligibility in this COVID shortened year. So which of the 15 seniors currently in Iowa's two deeps thinks it's worth it to come back for, in many cases, a 6th year of college to pursue their dream of making an NFL roster or playing for a Big 10 title? Here's my guess on who comes back and who is done with Iowa and ready to pursue the NFL:
COMES BACK IN 2021
-Coy Cronk. This year hasn't worked out the way this 4 year starter at Indiana had hoped. His old team is actually better than his new one, and he has barely seen the field at Iowa both due to a benching and another injury. Before the season, his NFL prospects seemed almost guaranteed, but he's yet to prove that he's recovered from a bad injury last year. At this point, it's unlikely he will be drafted, so he can either move on from the sport or use the opportunity to come back bigger and better next year.
-Cole Banwart. Iowa produces NFL OL. According to pro football focus, Banwart has the 12th highest rating for a guard in college football. He may already be a late round draft pick if he leaves, but if he comes back it could make him a few million dollars in draft positioning.
-Jack Heflin. Another grad transfer who came in with high hopes. He's a mainstay on the DL this year, but is overshadowed by all the talent around him. With another year of seasoning, Heflin has a shot at the NFL.
-Zach VanValkenburg. This guy's a stud, and keeps getting better each week. Could he be a late round draft pick this year? Possible? Epenesa was a super star freak and he wasn't drafted until #54 overall, so there's nothing guaranteed. With one more year anchoring the DL, Zach could be a star next year with a 2 year body of work rather than 1.
-Caleb Shudak. On most teams in the country, Shudak would likely be their star kicker. At Iowa, he's been playing behind a 1st team all-American and has been relegated to kickoff duties, which he's excelled at. Next year, if Duncan doesn't seek a 7th year of eligibility, Shudak would be the man and could fulfill his dream of starting for the Hawks.
-Shaun Beyer. After 5 years on campus, Beyer is finally starting to emerge as more than just a role player. He's clearly got the size and the hands, now he just needs the reps to improve his film/stats. With LaPorta coming back, he won't be the star, but it could be a watered down Fant/Hockenson situation at TE.
ROLL THE DICE ON THE NFL
-Brandon Smith & Ihmir Smith Marsette. Unfortunately for these guys, Nate Stanley graduated last year and they were robbed of a chance to showcase their skill sets as seniors. Smith is a tall, strong, fast receiver who runs the deep routes with a QB terrified to throw it down field. Smith Marsette is a stud special teams player who never gets kicked to on kickoffs and who was beat out on punt returns. Neither will see more opportunities next year if they come back, so they will have to roll the dice and hope to catch on as free agents somewhere.
-Alaric Jackson. Jackson thought he would declare for the NFL a year ago, but nagging injuries and caution from scouts forced him to come back. He's improved his game a bit, but not to the level many predicted. He's probably Iowa's best draft prospect right now, but I'd guess he's a 5th rounder at best. Should he come back for another year? Probably. Will he? Probably not.
-Mekhi Sargent. I really like Sargent's game. He's slightly quicker and more powerful than Goodson, but he doesn't quite have the sizzle. As a result, if he comes back next year, he'll never be the feature back he was in 2018 and won't really improve his stock. Look for Sargent to try to catch on as a free agent somewhere.
-Chauncey Golston. Golston is a leader on defense and has done just about everything he can do as a Hawk. Another year wouldn't really benefit him, so I'm guessing he'll forgo the opportunity to come back and start preparing for the NFL once the season is over.
-Keith Duncan. Keith loves Iowa City and loves being a Hawk. With that said, he's been on campus forever and will never be able to top the year he had last year as runner up for the Groza award. Duncan probably doesn't have the leg for the NFL, and won't develop one by coming back an extra year. Look for him to give it a shot, then be a success in the real world wherever he lands.
-Matt Hankins. Hankins hasn't quite taken his game to the next level from last year as many hoped (37 tackles, 2 int last year, 24 tackles 1 int this year) and Iowa's streak of having the Big 10's defensive back of the year will likely end. But Hankins has had a solid career and deserves a shot at the NFL. Whether he sticks like Amani Hooker, or is more of a Geno Stone is tbd.
For the first time in college football history, the NCAA has granted waivers to everyone on the team should they want an extra year of eligibility in this COVID shortened year. So which of the 15 seniors currently in Iowa's two deeps thinks it's worth it to come back for, in many cases, a 6th year of college to pursue their dream of making an NFL roster or playing for a Big 10 title? Here's my guess on who comes back and who is done with Iowa and ready to pursue the NFL:
COMES BACK IN 2021
-Coy Cronk. This year hasn't worked out the way this 4 year starter at Indiana had hoped. His old team is actually better than his new one, and he has barely seen the field at Iowa both due to a benching and another injury. Before the season, his NFL prospects seemed almost guaranteed, but he's yet to prove that he's recovered from a bad injury last year. At this point, it's unlikely he will be drafted, so he can either move on from the sport or use the opportunity to come back bigger and better next year.
-Cole Banwart. Iowa produces NFL OL. According to pro football focus, Banwart has the 12th highest rating for a guard in college football. He may already be a late round draft pick if he leaves, but if he comes back it could make him a few million dollars in draft positioning.
-Jack Heflin. Another grad transfer who came in with high hopes. He's a mainstay on the DL this year, but is overshadowed by all the talent around him. With another year of seasoning, Heflin has a shot at the NFL.
-Zach VanValkenburg. This guy's a stud, and keeps getting better each week. Could he be a late round draft pick this year? Possible? Epenesa was a super star freak and he wasn't drafted until #54 overall, so there's nothing guaranteed. With one more year anchoring the DL, Zach could be a star next year with a 2 year body of work rather than 1.
-Caleb Shudak. On most teams in the country, Shudak would likely be their star kicker. At Iowa, he's been playing behind a 1st team all-American and has been relegated to kickoff duties, which he's excelled at. Next year, if Duncan doesn't seek a 7th year of eligibility, Shudak would be the man and could fulfill his dream of starting for the Hawks.
-Shaun Beyer. After 5 years on campus, Beyer is finally starting to emerge as more than just a role player. He's clearly got the size and the hands, now he just needs the reps to improve his film/stats. With LaPorta coming back, he won't be the star, but it could be a watered down Fant/Hockenson situation at TE.
ROLL THE DICE ON THE NFL
-Brandon Smith & Ihmir Smith Marsette. Unfortunately for these guys, Nate Stanley graduated last year and they were robbed of a chance to showcase their skill sets as seniors. Smith is a tall, strong, fast receiver who runs the deep routes with a QB terrified to throw it down field. Smith Marsette is a stud special teams player who never gets kicked to on kickoffs and who was beat out on punt returns. Neither will see more opportunities next year if they come back, so they will have to roll the dice and hope to catch on as free agents somewhere.
-Alaric Jackson. Jackson thought he would declare for the NFL a year ago, but nagging injuries and caution from scouts forced him to come back. He's improved his game a bit, but not to the level many predicted. He's probably Iowa's best draft prospect right now, but I'd guess he's a 5th rounder at best. Should he come back for another year? Probably. Will he? Probably not.
-Mekhi Sargent. I really like Sargent's game. He's slightly quicker and more powerful than Goodson, but he doesn't quite have the sizzle. As a result, if he comes back next year, he'll never be the feature back he was in 2018 and won't really improve his stock. Look for Sargent to try to catch on as a free agent somewhere.
-Chauncey Golston. Golston is a leader on defense and has done just about everything he can do as a Hawk. Another year wouldn't really benefit him, so I'm guessing he'll forgo the opportunity to come back and start preparing for the NFL once the season is over.
-Keith Duncan. Keith loves Iowa City and loves being a Hawk. With that said, he's been on campus forever and will never be able to top the year he had last year as runner up for the Groza award. Duncan probably doesn't have the leg for the NFL, and won't develop one by coming back an extra year. Look for him to give it a shot, then be a success in the real world wherever he lands.
-Matt Hankins. Hankins hasn't quite taken his game to the next level from last year as many hoped (37 tackles, 2 int last year, 24 tackles 1 int this year) and Iowa's streak of having the Big 10's defensive back of the year will likely end. But Hankins has had a solid career and deserves a shot at the NFL. Whether he sticks like Amani Hooker, or is more of a Geno Stone is tbd.
