Who from Class of '18 plays as true freshman?

[BigOHawk]

Looking over this class on paper (which, btw, is the best since 2011), who ya got skipping the redshirt and seeing the field. Some guesses...

• Doyle - Hawkeye pedigree all his life, he knows the program, training and techniques and projects at a position of need
• Nixon - Although the DL is stockpiling very good depth, if Nixon ups his game a bit and turns on the motor I see him getting situational/rotational snaps. He's already 310/315 ish and for most of last year Lattimore didn't impress although played better late in season. He's a space eater and looks to be quicker than Jaleel
• Tracy - Already around 190lbs and at a position of need. Easley and ISM are in pen at WR, spots 3-6 wide open IMO between Smith/Cooper/Marchese/Lockett/Evans/Young/Dafney/Ragini
• Brents/Craddieth/D.J.Johnson- Atlhough secondary is fairly experienced with O.J./Rugumba/Snyder/Stone/Hooker/Hankins/, I would have to believe in nickel,dime and/or special teams at least 2/3 of these guys play. Still wonder if Creamer sticks on D or if he is inserted back on offense. DBU is well stocked here folks!
• McDonald - special teams or perhaps a few snaps at LB to fast track him. Violent finisher with some of the best speed at LB since???

Thoughts?

 

[VicHawkeye]

Kind of a longshot but how about Ince, Jenkins or even Tyler L getting snaps on the interior OL?

I like Tracy to catch a lot of passes.

 

[BigOHawk]

Kind of a longshot but how about Ince, Jenkins or even Tyler L getting snaps on the interior OL?

I like Tracy to catch a lot of passes.

Perhaps. Tackles are set with Alaric and Wirfs, interior positions and especially Center will be a battle well into fall camp with Reynolds/Paulsens/Banwart/Render battling for time. Typically, true freshmen don't see time on Kirk's line but Wirfs was an exception. Don't see it next fall but could be wrong. Tackle depth good with Kallenburger and Ferguson back too.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

1.Nixon (I think he is in the rotation day 1)
2. D.C wouldn't surprise me if he is a starter.
3.Tracy
4. Evans
5. Doyle.

 

[kceasthawk]

Kind of a longshot but how about Ince, Jenkins or even Tyler L getting snaps on the interior OL?

I like Tracy to catch a lot of passes.

Probably the position, least likely, to see a true freshman play. Wirfs was an exception. Great athlete, and already the biggest guy on the offensive line as a true freshman. Ince, Jenkins, and Plumb will need some time with coach Doyle. Tyler L. is slotted to start out on the DL.

 

[DodgerHawki]

Looking over this class on paper (which, btw, is the best since 2011), who ya got skipping the redshirt and seeing the field. Some guesses...

• Doyle - Hawkeye pedigree all his life, he knows the program, training and techniques and projects at a position of need
• Nixon - Although the DL is stockpiling very good depth, if Nixon ups his game a bit and turns on the motor I see him getting situational/rotational snaps. He's already 310/315 ish and for most of last year Lattimore didn't impress although played better late in season. He's a space eater and looks to be quicker than Jaleel
• Tracy - Already around 190lbs and at a position of need. Easley and ISM are in pen at WR, spots 3-6 wide open IMO between Smith/Cooper/Marchese/Lockett/Evans/Young/Dafney/Ragini
• Brents/Craddieth/D.J.Johnson- Atlhough secondary is fairly experienced with O.J./Rugumba/Snyder/Stone/Hooker/Hankins/, I would have to believe in nickel,dime and/or special teams at least 2/3 of these guys play. Still wonder if Creamer sticks on D or if he is inserted back on offense. DBU is well stocked here folks!
• McDonald - special teams or perhaps a few snaps at LB to fast track him. Violent finisher with some of the best speed at LB since???

Thoughts?

List I agree on. Caveat that we are just conjecturing. I would put Geil, the RB, on the list just because Butler and Wadley are gone and 2-3 guys are going to get all those snaps.

 

[HawkSTL]

I think we see at least 8 or 9 play as true freshman this year. Geil, Tracy, MacDonald, Doyle, Cradieth, Brents, Nico Ragiali, Nixon, and DJ Johnson would be my best guesses. Think Samson Evans could sneak his way into special teams too.

 

[H4wkfan4life]

If manny and ojemudia don't make some big improvements, both their jobs should be up grabs.
will any be physically ready to play LB next year?
Nixon I assume will get some time.
If the receivers keep dropping balls, tracy might get a shot.

 

[chaneccooms]

In the past, KF has said other teams use it against them in recruiting if they don't play a lot of true freshmen. So expect a high number to play in 2018 season.

 

[Harbinger273]

Nixon...Tracy...Mcdonald...Jenkins...Lockett...Craddieth...Brents...Johnson
Get em started when and where we can. Iowa doesnt need to play guys where we have plenty of depth, but if an opportunity opens up why not put them in play. No teacher like game experience. Build their confidence.

 

[BigOHawkfan]

I could see Brents, Nixon and McDonald seeing meaningful snaps. Multiple others playing special teams. Hopefully there's a punt/kick returning phenom among the group.

 

[jdv77]

Someone has to be "that guy" and point out that Nixon isn't a freshman. I do think that he will play, and I will go out on a limb and suggest that Noah Shannon does as well.

 

[Ladell-hawk]

Probably the position, least likely, to see a true freshman play. Wirfs was an exception. Great athlete, and already the biggest guy on the offensive line as a true freshman. Ince, Jenkins, and Plumb will need some time with coach Doyle. Tyler L. is slotted to start out on the DL.

This, Tyler L is a great prospect at D-Tackle, he isn't going to play O-line.

 

[Hawkdome]

I would like to point out that snerd snorklewaud should play for the ymca team this year.

 

[Birdmanil]

Nixon in the roration on the line. McDonald in special teams and maybe a blitz package. Jeff Jenkins is a guy I'm high on to have a good career, may see field in garbage time. Lockett and Tracy at WR. Geil in late game garbage time.

 

[MWardT]

In order of most likely to play:

Nixon
Johnson
Doyle (one of the LBs will play)
Craddeith
One of the WRs - my guess is Lockett

Biggest sleeper to play = Roberts

 

[thecarls]

Rb- Geil...I think we need depth.
WR- Tracy and Ragiani... I think both will and need to play. I like ISM, Easley, Smith, Tracy, and Ragiani as a top 5
DL- Nixon ... size, speed, and Reese just does a good job prepping kids
LB- MacDonald and Doyle... Nothing has been established or proven at any spot. I like both of them as Depth and ST players
DB- Craddieth and Johnson

 

[unoHawkeye]

If manny and ojemudia don't make some big improvements, both their jobs should be up grabs.
will any be physically ready to play LB next year?
Nixon I assume will get some time.
If the receivers keep dropping balls, tracy might get a shot.

Honestly wouldn’t be too shocking if Hankins started. He did great down the stretch

 

[VicHawkeye]

I agree that interior OLine is a tough spot for any TRFR to earn snaps. My thinking was just being underwhelmed by the returning players there. Unlikely but perhaps a guy like Jenkins is just better than the returnees.

 

[Hawks_Rock_12]

Someone has to be "that guy" and point out that Nixon isn't a freshman. I do think that he will play, and I will go out on a limb and suggest that Noah Shannon does as well.

I'm thinking with the players we have returning on the DL, Shannon will be redshirted as long as Nixon lives up to his hype.

 

[BigOHawk]

Someone has to be "that guy" and point out that Nixon isn't a freshman. I do think that he will play, and I will go out on a limb and suggest that Noah Shannon does as well.

Good catch on Nixon! He was a pretty good force in the middle for IWCC last year. Still can't believe he was on kickoff coverage team for his high school and he was often one of the first down the field!

 

[BigOHawk]

Great analysis and follow up comments....yeah, it should be noted Nixon is a true sophomore, Ragini played a year of prep ball so he's really a soph in age and did I read that right that DJ Johnson is 19 already and will be 20 during his freshman year? If so, yeah, then he's about two years ahead of his class.

 

[Rocket98]

Honestly wouldn’t be too shocking if Hankins started. He did great down the stretch

IMO there is no doubt Manny will start at one of the corners. Hopefully Manny can rebound from his disappointing 2017 season.

 

[David1979]

I think the most likely to play are:

Lockett
Tracy
McDonald
Doyle
Johnson
Brents
Craddieth
and Nixon will for sure play.

 

[millhawk]

IMO there is no doubt Manny will start at one of the corners. Hopefully Manny can rebound from his disappointing 2017 season.

The '16 season I thought Manny was headed for stardom. That got derailed last year but hopefully he can get it back. He's loaded with potential.

 

[Rocket98]

The '16 season I thought Manny was headed for stardom. That got derailed last year but hopefully he can get it back. He's loaded with potential.

Hankins and Manny both have tremendous upside. They both need another year of Coach Doyle and about 10 pounds.

 

[is_there_whiskey_in_heaven]

The '16 season I thought Manny was headed for stardom. That got derailed last year but hopefully he can get it back. He's loaded with potential.

Manny kind of mirrors Jackson at this point in his career. Jackson was the next guy in after King and Mabin in 15 but then lost that role to Manny in 16. Last year Manny lost the 2nd corner spot to Ojemudia and Hankins. What I'm saying is get ready for our 3rd straight Thorpe Finalist.

 

[mvhomerj]

One of the PWO's

 

[RogerKint]

IMO there is no doubt Manny will start at one of the corners. Hopefully Manny can rebound from his disappointing 2017 season.

In my opinion, Rugumba is a stud and will have a big year. I also have confidence that Ojemudia will surprise us this year too. We look great in the secondary for the next 4-5 years or so. Parker is a good teacher.

 

[BCRoss89]

Any Walk-ons have a chance to crack the two deeps?

 

[BigOHawk]

IMO there is no doubt Manny will start at one of the corners. Hopefully Manny can rebound from his disappointing 2017 season.

Didn't Dez have a pretty down soph year as well and then a big junior season? Manny had a Soph slump IMO after playing very well late in his freshman year including a stellar game vs. Mich.

 

[ctghawk]

1.Nixon (I think he is in the rotation day 1)
2. D.C wouldn't surprise me if he is a starter.
3.Tracy
4. Evans
5. Doyle.

Maybe, if Stone or Hooker are hurt.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

Maybe, if Stone or Hooker are hurt.

I would be cool with Hooker getting a look at the Leo.

 

[ctghawk]

I would be cool with Hooker getting a look at the Leo.

Me too.