'16 Recruiting Class Working Out Real Well for Hawkeyes
- Thread starter RobHowe
- Start date
IowaLawWasRight
Well-Known Member
I would rephrase it and say that the '16 recruiting class is working out well for the individuals, not the Hawkeyes. This class might get some guys drafted, but they led the Hawks to a 5-4 conference record this year and a 4-5 conference record last year (8th in the Big 10).
While seeing players go on and sign big contracts is nice, I think 99.9% of fans would prefer to see them succeed as a team at Iowa.
While seeing players go on and sign big contracts is nice, I think 99.9% of fans would prefer to see them succeed as a team at Iowa.
Stanzi
Well-Known Member
This is why I never get all worked up about our recruiting ranking like some do. We consistently coach up 2 and 3 star kids to a 4 or 5 star level. Hockenson was a 2 star white kid from Chariton and now he's a potential first round draft pick. I guarantee people were complaining about him when we signed him. 247 had our 2016 class as #47 yet we have at least 5 or 6 guys from that class who will be day one or two NFL draft picks.
Yeah, the NFL seems to reap the rewards of Iowa's player development more than Iowa does. Pretty incredible to have 2 players good enough to leave early last year and possibly 5 more this season and Iowa has a 9-9 B1G record over that period in a very weak division.
guffus
Well-Known Member
It's a good question. Are kids that leave early for the NFL draft a good ROI for a developmental program like Iowa.
I would say Iowa got a good 3 years out of Fant, so if he wants to go get his money, I'm happy for him. Iowa's investment in Fant has been paid in full.
But some other players, Iowa is still waiting to get a return on its investment. If they left early, it would be like they were defaulting on a loan.
I would say Iowa got a good 3 years out of Fant, so if he wants to go get his money, I'm happy for him. Iowa's investment in Fant has been paid in full.
But some other players, Iowa is still waiting to get a return on its investment. If they left early, it would be like they were defaulting on a loan.
Stanzi
Well-Known Member
I hope my post wasn't viewed as a negative. I find the people who complain about recruiting rankings to be somewhat short sighted. The 2016 recruiting class has really turned out well especially considering how many of those guys start or see a lot of playing time.
NikeHawk21
Well-Known Member
I think it’s a fair point.
We had two early entrants to the NFL draft last year that both went in the second round and an All-American Linebacker and went 4-5 in the west.
We might have 3 early entrants this year which includes three All-Americans and went 5-4 in the west.
Seems like fairly disappointing results with that kind of talent.
With that said I’ve been happy with the talent we’ve brought in in recent years, just hoping it will materialize into more on field success.
guffus
Well-Known Member
Sorry, I was mostly speaking more about an investment in TIME. Iowa spends time developing its players, in return the players return that time by sticking around and helping Iowa win games.
I probably confused everybody by saying Fant should go get his money. But I was ok with Fant leaving, because he had already done so much as a player, the TIME invested in Fant has been more than repaid.
RobHowe
Administrator
No. It wasn't.
It was directed at the same tired posters that have a negative take of just about everything posted on these boards. It's makes reading posts draining.
Well I think your statement is a direct reflection of Kirk's overall head coaching ability and nature. Conservative, keeps it close, going to lose two games a year he and the hawks shouldnt. 10-2 becomes 8-4 and 9-3 becomes 7-5.
Just the fact that the Hawks can get up to the level and beat the top 5 teams routinely, I am not saying once every 10 years, but routinely is very puzzling unless you look at KF's coaching temperment and ability to pump up his players when they are underdogs but somewhat calm them down/hold them back when they are the favorite and should be dominant. I really have to wonder.
Saban and Meyer have only one way to coach and that is to bury the other team. They do not want to be nice
I wish KF had his extra 40 wins over the last 20 years
We did not go 4-5 in the West last year. We went 4-5 in the B1G, against a schedule rated among the top 5-10 toughest in the nation, that included road games as Wisc, MSU, and NW, and home games against PSU and OSU. We had some very good players are certain positions, but we were extremely young at others (QB, OT, WR, TE).
This year we had a more talented team and an easier schedule, and we definitely left some wins on the table. Frustrating for all involved. But we are still looking at the possibility of a 7-4 record against P5 foes with a bowl win. That would take our 3-year record against P5 opponents to something like 20-13. If you wanted to count 2015, our 4 year record against P5 foes is 30-15 (but we all know 2015 doesn't count because it was a fluke).
That is not elite, but let's not act like Iowa has been a below average team in spite of their talent. The coaches are responsible for the talent (through recruiting and development), and they are responsible for putting that talent in the best position to make plays. They are doing a better job of the former than the latter, but overall the product is strong. Here is hoping everything comes together next year for a special season.
NikeHawk21
Well-Known Member
Sorry, yes I was implying we played in the West division and went 4-5. We actually went 3-3 in the West division games last year, with our only wins coming against teams with losing records (OSU upset was B1G east game).
I actually defended this team and coaches this year because I thought we had a really good team which is a credit to the roster the coaches have built. Unfortuntaly Kirk’s style often allows inferior opponents an opportunity to beat us.
At a certain point 9-9 in the B1G last two years with Nebraska, Minnesota, Illinois, Maryland and Indiana accounting for 8 of the 9 wins ain’t going to cut it if we want to prove we are a quality football team.
mopkins
King Kong
Imagine if James Daniels didnt leave early for the Bears last year. Iowa spent all year trying to plug that gap and never really even came close
HawkleberryFinn
Well-Known Member
Over the last nine years Iowa has only one season where it won more than eight games. We are out-coached on the field of play.
They beat one team with a winning record. Congrats
You drank the kool aid. Have fun.
NikeHawk21
Well-Known Member
Non conference gimmies: 8 wins (19.44%)
Minnesota, Illinois, Nebraska: 12 wins (33.33%)
(Note: Nebraska was actually decent in 2016)
Maryland, Indiana, Rutgers: 5 wins (13.88%)
Other wins vs non Bowl teams: 4 wins (11.11%) (Includes Iowa State twice and Purdue twice)
The rest: 7 wins (19.44%)
Other stats:
Bowl record- 1-3 (combined scores Iowa 46- opponents 95)
Record vs Bowl teams: 10-16 (includes W over 5-7 Nebraska who made bowl)
