IOWA CITY, Iowa – Ranking the Iowa Football team is an interesting exercise. Just know that it doesn’t give much information about what the end result will be.
If you knew how bad the quarterback play in Iowa would be before last season, you couldn’t predict 10 wins. That success certainly defied the odds, but it also served as an example of how two big stages can compensate for terrible complementary football.
The leveling of the lines gives a clearer picture of the pre-season outlook. Let’s try this build:
LEVEL 1
1. Linebacker
Last season, Iowa invested in its roster through the transfer portal. This offseason was all about retention. It is best seen in the second level of the defense. Back are All-American center Jay Higgins, a fifth-year senior, and sixth-year outside Nick Jackson, an All-Big Ten performer. Sixth-year senior LEO Kyler Fisher makes the Hawkeyes stiff as they go 4-3.
If there’s a concern here, it’s the inexperience behind the starters. However, upperclassmen like Jaxon Rexroth, Jaden Harrell and Karson Sharar have been working and waiting their turn. The announced true freshman class could also be a factor in creating quality depth and developing the future.
2. Tight end
It’s TE U for a reason. Barring injuries, this spot is Tier 1 in the team rankings.
Luke Lachey will compete for All-America honors if Iowa’s offense takes a step forward. The attention he gets from opponents plays into that. Well. 2 TE Addison Ostrenga has breakout candidate written all over him.
Behind the top two guys, Johnny Pascuzzi is a reliable veteran who thrives in blocking but can also pass defenses. Zach Ortwerth burned his redshirt as a true freshman last season, and Gavin Hoffman and Michael Burt are talented newcomers.
3. Running Back
Yes, that’s two attack slots higher. It’s deserved. Can the other spots on this side of the ball perform well enough to not sink new coordinator Tim Lester’s ship?
RB is the top position of the team. Leshon Williams is one of the team’s most underrated players, and Kaleb Johnson has NFL skills. Kamari Moulton and Jaziun Patterson would get a lot more run in programs that don’t have as much depth at the position.
The dynamic Terrell Washington Jr. is working at receiver and running back. True Freshmen Xavier Williams and Brevin Doll are thunder and lightning on a high rise
LEVEL 2
4. Defensive back
The secondary has an argument to be at the Tier 1 level. It will likely be there by the end of the season, but there are enough unwanted questions around the corner to push it here.
Cash/Safety Sebastian Castro might be the NFL’s best player on defense. His unique ability to lock into coverage and lower the boom against the run is special.
Free safety Quinn Schulte will be as important as anyone on the defense, and Xavier Nwankpa will break out this fall. Jermari Harris can lock down one corner, and across from him and in the sub packages, the trio of TJ Hall, Deshaun Lee and John Nestor will have to step up quickly.
5. Experts
If the Hawkeyes reach their potential in ’24, these guys will likely end up at the top level. When you play on the margin, quality feet are essential.
Kicker Drew Stevens looked great at Children’s Day practice this month. If he can put his inconsistent 23 performance behind him, the true junior could be an All-American.
Rhys Dakin has been tasked with replacing legendary punter Tory Taylor, a Chicago Bears rookie. Like Stevens, he excelled at Kids Day and also looked the part in April’s spring open practices. The final hurdle is consistent performance on game day.
Long snapper Luke Elkin just has to make sure only the die-hard Hawkeye fans know his name.
6. Defense line
The the boys lost starters Logan Lee and Joe Evans to the NFL. It opened up opportunities for others to level D-Line up to 1.
Starting tackles Yahya Black and Aaron Graves have a chance to be one of the best duos of the Kirk Ferentz era. DE Deontae Craig provides pressure and holds the edge well. Those three are All-Big Ten caliber.
The D-Line needs Ethan Hurkett, Max Llewellyn, Brian Allen, Kenneth Merrieweather and others to help create a pass rush. Jeremiah Pittman, Jeff Bowie, Luke Gafney and Will Hubert are competing to back up Black and Graves.
7. Offensive line
The seven most experienced offensive linemen have combined for 153 career starts. Left tackle Mason Richman (39) and right guard Connor Colby (37) lead the way. Center Logan Jones (26) is next.
Despite being an experienced group a year ago, the O-Line was one of the most disappointing in ’23. This view was based on expectations that have since grown.
Swingman Nick DeJong has 24 starts under his belt, and starting right tackle Gennings Dunker opened all 14 contests a year ago. In ’22, Beau Stephens started 10 games at left guard, where he entered camp atop the two-deep. Tyler Elsbury can hold down three interior spots.
LEVEL 3
8. Quarterback
Oh boy, not the gentlemen you want on the lowest level. However, the situation is current.
Projected starter Cade McNamara is coming off his second consecutive season-ending knee surgery. To say he looked rusty on Children’s Day would not fully describe the struggle.
Backup Brendan Sullivan, who arrived this summer from Northwestern, beat McNamara in an open practice. It was relative.
Third-teamer Marco Lainez is a work in progress as a redshirt freshman. His mix-up ability stands out, but he needs more development as a passer.
If McNamara or Sullivan can pull through to earn all-conference honors, the Hawkeyes will be in the College Football Playoff. The odds of that happening are not good.
Iowa is more likely to be in the top 12 in the country this season if anyone averages. That would be a huge step forward.
9. Wide receiver
This position have become the toughest positions here at a time when receivers are impacting the game more than ever before. WR coach Kelton Copeland was replaced by the inexperienced Jon Budmayr in the offseason in hopes of brighter days.
It’s hard to muster up a lot of excitement given the circumstances. However, there may be light at the end of the tunnel.
Kaleb Brown has star potential, Seth Anderson should be a solid presence, and Kaden Wetjen highlights the defense with speed that can be utilized in multiple ways.
Redshirt freshman Jarrett Buie has turned heads within the program this offseason. Northwestern transfer Jacob Gill looked nice on Kids’ Day, and true freshman Reece Vander Zee is worth a look.
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