Recruiting for the 2010 class is off to a great start of the Iowa Hawkeyes. There have already been 8 commits and I keep hearing rumblings about a few more that will be announced soon. The class is about half full already so I thought it would be a good time to take a lot at how recruiting is coming.

The Defensive Line

Current Situation:
1 Senior – DT Chad Geary*
4 Juniors – DE Christian Ballard, DT Cody Hundertmark, DE Adrian Clayborn, DT Karl Klug
4 Sophomores – DE Lebron Daniel, DT Thomas Nardo, DE Broderick Binns, DT Mike Daniels
3 RS Freshman – DT Steve Bigach, DE Jason Semmes, DE Joe Gaglione*
2 Freshman – DE Tyler Harrell, DE Scott Covert

The Hawkeyes look set on the defensive front for the next 2 years. All the starters from the upcoming season should be back for 2010. The defensive end position is particularly strong with juniors Christian Ballard and Adrian Clayborn and sophomore Broderick Binns.

2010 Commits:
DE Matt Hoch – Harlan, IA
DE Mike Hardy – Kimberly, WI
DE Luois Trinca-Pasat – Chicago , IL
DT Anthony Ferguson, Jr. – Baltimore, MD

The 2010 class already has 4 defensive lineman. With 3 ends, it’s likely that one will move inside to tackle. I think Mike Hardy at 6' 4", 255 lbs would be a good choice to make the move. He’s not as quick as Matt Hoch and Louis Trinca-Pasat doesn’t seem like a tackle to me.

Notable Other Possibilities:
DT Beau Allen - Minnetonka, MN
DT Bruce Gaston - Chicago, IL

Though there are 4 defensive line commits already I could see another tackle signing on. Beau Allen and Bruce Gaston are the highest rated by Scout that show interest in Iowa. Both sounds like they might be more interested in Notre Dame (boo...), but they live closer to Iowa City. Both are big guys, 6'2" pushing 300 lbs and would be a good addition to this class.

Neediness:
Low – at most 1 more DT commit

The defensive line looks pretty set for the next few years with the relatively young roster and the 4 commits. The Hawkeyes are better off at defensive end than tackle, but both position should be fine. I would be surprised if anyone from the 2010 class sees the field as a true freshman, but there should be some opportunities in 2011. By 2012, I fully expect to see a couple of these guys as starters.

The Linebackers

Current Situation:
2 Senior – MLB Pat Angerer, OLB A.J. Edds
4 Juniors – OLB Jeremiha Hunter, OLB Jeff Tarpinian, OLB Troy Johnson, MLB Jacody Coleman**
2 Sophomores – OLB Tyler Nielsen, LB Bruce Davis
1 RS Freshman – LB Cameron Olson
1 Freshman – LB Terrance Pryor, MLB Marty Hopkins

Iowa's linebacker corps is quite veteran. Two of the expected starters for 2009, Pat Angerer and A.J. Edds, will be seniors and the other, Jeremiha Hunter, will be a junior. After that though, there are not many linebackers in the waiting with only 2 sophomores and 2 freshman.

2010 Commits:
MLB Jim Poggi - Baltimore, MD
MLB Austin Gray - Warren, MI
OLB James Morris - Solon, IA

The 3 commits at linebacker are very exciting. It is expected that Jim Poggi will play on the outside, though Scout has him listed as a MLB. Poggi, along with Gray and Morris, all have had good high school careers so far and have made a lot of tackles (Poggi had 131 tackles last year).

Notable Other Possibilities:
OLB Ishmael Thomas - Detroit, MI
MLB Trey Millard - Columbia, MO

A fourth linebacker wouldn't hurt for the 2010 class, but there is not a whole lot out there. Ishmael Thomas has Iowa in his top 6 right now and Trey Millard sounds like a very versatile athlete that could help Iowa at linebacker or somewhere else.

Neediness:
Low – 1 more commit would be good, but not necessary

Though the linebacker position is mostly made up of juniors and seniors, the starting spots are fairly secure for the next 2 seasons. And, if Coleman does end up redshirting this year, then even 2011 looks okay. I fully expect Poggi, Morris, and Gray to see the field by then. I actually wouldn't be the bit surprised if at least 2 of them are on the 2-deeps next year.

The Defensive Backfield

Current Situation:
2 Senior – CB Chris Rowell, DB Taylor Herbst
5 Juniors – DB Justin Greiner, DB Jordan Bernstine, DB Amari Spievey, DB Joe Conklin, FS Brett Greenwood
4 Sophomores – SS Tyler Sash, DB Shaun Prater, SS David Cato, DB Tom Donatell
4 RS Freshman – DB Greg Castillo, DB Collin Sleeper, DB Nick Nielsen, FS Jack Swanson

Like the defensive line, the backfield should be set for 2009 and 2010. Three of the four starters are juniors and most of the second string guys are sophomores. However, in the 2009 class there were no real defensive backs so that could create some depth issues in the future.

2010 Commits:
None

Notable Other Possibilities:
S/DB James Manuel - Indianapolis, IN
S Isaiah Lewis - Indianapolis, IN

James Manuel attends Warren Central High School in Indianapolis and was teammates with current Hawkeye Jewel Hampton. Hopefully that connection can help sway Manuel towards Iowa. Isaiah Lewis is another player from Indianapolis and has Iowa near the top of his list.

Neediness:
High - a couple of capable defensive backs will be necessary

Cornerback and safety are the only positions that Iowa hasn't received a 2010 commit for on defense. While the starting 4 spots will probably not be available until 2011 and maybe even 2012, it will be important to get some guys in the program, especially considering the lack of DBs in the 2009 class. Also, with the larger amount of pass-happy teams in the Big Ten lately, Norm Parker has been throwing in more than 4 DBs at a time with some nickel and dime packages.


Projected starters in bold.
*Both Geary and Gaglione suffered injuries during the spring that may keep them out this year, so there is a possibility of a medical redshirt.
**Jacody Coleman was considering transferring from the program, but instead plans on redshirting during the 2009 season so will have 2 years of eligibility left for 2010 and 2011.