Quarterbacks:
Let's start off with the easiest position to diagnose. There is no QB controversy this year, Ricky Stanzi is the starting quarterback. He's back with a year of experience, a couple of big wins, increased leadership ability, about 20 extra pounds of muscle, and a killer beard. I expect Stazni to have a good year in 2009 and so does the Manning Award committee. He definitely showed that he has the ability to perform when the pressure is on and if he can limit the turnovers that he had problems with last year at times, then there should be nothing stopping him.
There is one question at quarterback…who's number 2? From the sound of things James Vandenberg has started to emerge into that backup position over John Wienke. Hopefully the game against UNI will give us a chance to see both in action.
Tight Ends:
I'm sticking with the easy position. The tight end position has traditionally been a strength of the Iowa Hawkeyes and this year will be no different. Tony Moeaki is back and he's healthy (and we're hoping it stays that way). Moeaki is an amazing blocker and an excellent receiver and will likely big a significant part of the Hawkeye offense this year.
Backing up Moeaki, but still practically a starter with the number of 2-TE sets O'Keefe runs, is Allen Reisner. With Moeaki's injuries, Reisner saw a lot of playing time last year as a true sophomore. He averaged an amazing 18.2 yards per catch and had 1 touchdown.
Receivers:
I don't even know where to start with the receivers. At this point, there are about 5 or 6 different guys that could be the starters week 1, which is probably a good thing, but it still leads to a lot of unknowns.
If I had to guess today, I would say Trey Stross and Marvin McNutt. I think the closest thing to a lock to start at this point is Trey Stross. He's the only senior in the mix and he's finally healthy. And, in the past when Stross has been healthy, though it been pretty rare, he has shown up big on the field. McNutt is a much more interesting story. It's incredible that he has only been playing at receiver for a short time now and was listed as a starter to start the fall camp. At this time last year he was the 3rd string quarterback. He's been impressing everyone who's seen him play this fall, so I'm excited for my chance.
If you had asked me a few weeks ago I might have said Colin Sandeman and DJK. Sandeman has been rather quite with just 10 catches in his time at Iowa, but he has good hands and I think his junior year could be his break out year. It's more likely he'll stay second team, but still come off the bench and make plays. DJK…I don't have too much to say about that situation. I think he'll eventually win back the starting job and have another good year.
Paul Chaney Jr. and Keenan Davis are the other 2 in the mix. Chaney is ridiculously fast (he's a track guy) and has apparently stepped up his game. He was seen running with the first team on Tuesday. He really has big play potential. There have been multiple times in the past couple of years that he burned right by the defense and then he doesn't haul in the catch for whatever reason. Hopefully this year, those plays will lead to touchdowns. Keenan Davis will be a true freshman this year, but is already expected to be a big contributor. He's gotten some reps with the first teams, but I think he'll be a 2nd string guy this year but move up the depth chart quickly in his time at Iowa.
Offensive Line:
Much like the receivers, there are a lot of questions around who will play on the offensive line this year. There are injuries and suspension that muddle the situation, but more experience than just about any other team in the country.
One spots that is 100% locked down is left tackle with Bryan Bulaga. In case you hadn't heard, he's really good. He's on multiple watch lists, SI's Preseason All-American Team, and is being talked about positively everywhere.
Moving over a spot, who will play left guard? At the beginning of spring it looked like Julian Vandervelde would retain his position. Then, Dace Richardson shocked the world (okay, maybe just those following Hawkeye Football) by coming back from a devastating knee injury and looked to be the starter with Vandervelde moving over to right guard. However, Richardson has slid over to right tackle for the time being (I'll get to that below) and Riley Reiff (best known for his undressing related arrest last year) was the first to step up. The practice videos from Tuesday on the BTN, however, now shows Adam Gettis getting a shot at left guard. After everything gets straightened out, probably by week 3 or so, Ric hardson will probably be the guy and it will be a great story.
The center position is starting to iron itself out, but I would not be surprised if we see 3 different starters by the time the year is over. First in line is Rafael Eubanks. Eubanks was the starting center in 2007. He is known for his struggles that year, but he's 2 year's wiser now and as a senior I think he can have a successful year.
The other 2 in the picture are Josh Koeppel and James Ferentz. Koeppel has seen very little action, but per Coach Ferentz he has "elevated his game quietly." He has been switching with Eubanks running with the first team in practice, so if Eubanks struggles at all, expect Koeppel to come in. James Ferentz may be the most skilled center on the team, but he really shot himself in the foot when he got arrested for his second alcohol related offense in the spring. He sat out half of spring ball and is suspended for the first 2 games. Still, if he continues to progress he could take over the starting job sometime in the middle of the season.
On to right guard. This spot seems to be Dan Doering's to lose right now. Once Julian Vandervelde recovers from his injury, there might be some competition here. I could also see the loser of the left guard position and Andy Kuemple all in the competition too. Doering, however, will finally have his chance to shine. He came to Iowa highly recruited and has had some injury issue preventing him from really performing at his highest.
Right tackle would be another locked up spot, but projected started Kyle Calloway has been battling an IT band injury (he's practicing again though) and is serving a 1 game suspension. Once he's served his time he'll come back as the starter. So for the first game Dace Richardson is the likely guy to fill in.
Running backs:
Figuring out the running back position has been a roller coaster. Not only has the story on Jewel Hampton's knee been amazingly turbulent trying to figure out how bad he's hurt, if he needs surgery, if he'll be ready for the season, if he's going to red shirt (latest rumor is that he does need surgery but is trying to decide if he wants to do it now and miss the season or try to tough it out and do it after the season)…but behind Jewel we have no clue who's going to be the step up. The coaches keep saying it'll be a "committee" but somebody has to be the starter. We all know Jewel will be #1 if he's ready, but I'm going to assume for this post at least that he will not be playing (I'm still optimistic though!).
In the spring and even late last year some, we kept hearing about how Jeff Brinson was the next big thing. Now, in the fall, we haven't really heard much of anything. It sounds like he's fallen to around #3 behind Paki O'Meara and Adam Robinson.
O'Meara actually has quite a bit of experience. He was the first to come in during mop-up time and he played a lot on special teams. I actually think he's going to surprise some people this year. He has looked good in practices (at least the open practice and the one on the BTN) and he's been playing in the system for longer than the other options we have at running back.
Adam Robinson is a red-shirt freshman and was not even in the discussion at running back earlier this year (probably about the 5th name brought up). Well, he's worked his way into the #2 spot for now. From what I've heard he has a good burst through the whole.
Fullback:
There is not a lot of say about the fullback, so I guess I left an easy one for last. Both Brett Morse and Wade Leppert are back. Both will play, both are excellent blockers, both are okay catching the ball out of the backfield, and both will probably never carry the ball in their Iowa career.
Quick Thoughts on Overall Outlook:
- With major questions at running back, a talented returning quarterback, and a lot of gifted (though largely unproven) receivers, I expect this offense to be much more balanced than last year when it was 60% run - 40% pass...it will probably be closer to 50-50% this year.
- No matter who is playing on the offensive line, it will be very good. There are about 8 or 9 guys who legitimately could start on this team. The unit is very deep and very talented.
- I think somebody will come out and establish himself as a go-to running back. Whether it is Paki, Robinson, Brinson, or even Wegher, somebody will step up and make us forget about Shonn Greene and Hampton (I'm not saying they'll be as good though, just good enough).
- This is probably one of the more athletic groups of receivers in recent years. I think they have the potential to make a lot of big plays this year.
Wow, that was longer than planned. Tune back tomorrow (hopefully) for a look at the defense and special teams.