'16 Recruiting Class Working Out Real Well for Hawkeyes

[HawkleberryFinn]

Last 9 years: Ave. 7.77 wins. 2-5 record in bowl games and one of those years we didn't make a bowl. And I hate the Outback Bowl. Kirk Ferentz should be the one wearing that big bloomin' onion costume. Kirk's made more trips to the Outback than Mick Dundee.

 

[EstronHawkKing]

I don't think so!

 

[trj]

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

Josh Jackson left early as well. Those 2 stay and this season is completely different.

 

[Stanzi]

They beat one team with a winning record. Congrats

Two teams you idiot. It’s not that freaking hard to look at the schedule.

 

[oldhawk12]

Two teams you idiot. It’s not that freaking hard to look at the schedule.

I only count p5 wins...so...1

 

[HawkeyeWalker]

Just need a new JJ, Daniels, Jewell, Fant, Hock, Hooker, Kityle to arise....

Always good to see guys excel. Always gonna be tough for Iowa, and teams like Iowa(developmental if you will), when multiple uber talented and/or uber developed guys leave and/or leave early.

We've had talent, gotta work toward Depth of talent. That's the next step and it's a challenging one.

 

[BVHawk95]

I only count p5 wins...so...1

Let us know when your method makes it into record-keeping then.

 

[CP87]

You drank the kool aid. Have fun.

I am. I think that is the point of spectator sports. Who knows, maybe the point is being miserable, in which case you are doing great.

 

[CP87]

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.

Ouch, that is pretty tough reality. That one year was a doozy, though (thinking positive).

You seem to be counting this year (otherwise 9 years goes back to 2009, which was an 11 win year). Still a chance to win 9 this year (should have been much better).

To again think on the positive side, in 6 out of the 9 years, the Hawkeyes have won at least 8. That isn't setting the world on fire, but there are many teams out there that would love that consistent level of success.

To the specific bolded point, there are other staffs that seem to do a better job on Saturdays. But our staff also seems to do a great job on Sunday through Friday. KF isn't Saban, but he is still pretty good.

 

[CP87]

Last 9 years: Ave. 7.77 wins. 2-5 record in bowl games and one of those years we didn't make a bowl. And I hate the Outback Bowl. Kirk Ferentz should be the one wearing that big bloomin' onion costume. Kirk's made more trips to the Outback than Mick Dundee.

Trending up, though. Last 4 years, 9 win average. 1 game bowl winning streak. Substantial improvements this year in both offensive efficiency ranking (from 54th to 38th in the nation) and defensive efficiency ranking (22nd to 11th in nation). Lots of talent returning next year (early-entry dependent, of course). Iowa is one of 2 teams in the nation that has improved its recruiting ranking each of the last 5 years. And based upon recent recruiting, Iowa is due for one of those "special" seasons pretty soon:

 

[BigD]

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.

Nailed it!!!

 

[BigD]

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.

You nailed it too!!!

 

[BigD]

Two teams you idiot. It’s not that freaking hard to look at the schedule.

OMG!!! LMAO!!!!! Get it right fella! ROFLMAO!!!!! Don’t know whether to laugh or cry at this.

 

[pythagoras]

I don't think so!

Oh I see where you went wrong. You thought

 

[RobHowe]

This just in: guys developing quickly with eyes toward the NFL is good for recruiting and keeps the Hawkeyes from falling behind.

 

[dahlhawk]

Iowa has won 36 games the last four years. If you're disappointed in averaging nine wins a year at Iowa, that's a YOU problem.

I'm very happy for these player's hard work paying off for them and it certainly helps with recruiting, but I think it is a valid point that all these accolades haven't produced more wins for Iowa football. Individual achievement will always be secondary to team achievement. I think it's interesting how well Kittle has played in the NFL, something we rarely saw at Iowa. His two touchdown performance at Ohio State displayed his enormous potential which never was really seen again. The three tight end set was basically, "retired". There's an old story repeated in N. Carolina which basically says that the only person to successfully stop Michal Jordan from scoring was Dean Smith. I think Iowa suffers from this as well.

 

[CP87]

I'm very happy for these player's hard work paying off for them and it certainly helps with recruiting, but I think it is a valid point that all these accolades haven't produced more wins for Iowa football. Individual achievement will always be secondary to team achievement. I think it's interesting how well Kittle has played in the NFL, something we rarely saw at Iowa. His two touchdown performance at Ohio State displayed his enormous potential which never was really seen again. The three tight end set was basically, "retired". There's an old story repeated in N. Carolina which basically says that the only person to successfully stop Michal Jordan from scoring was Dean Smith. I think Iowa suffers from this as well.

Kittle's production at Iowa (or relative lack-thereof compared to current NFL production) was largely situational.

In his first year playing (2013 as RS freshman), he began to get some PT at the end of the season. He played in 3 games total, including as a 3rd TE vs. Ohio State, a game in which he recorded 1 reception. That is his only career reception vs. Ohio State, and the only game he ever played against them. I believe you are thinking of Jake Duzey, who had 6 for 138 and 1 TD in that game.

In his second season on the field, he played in the first 3 games, and then not a snap after. I assume he dealt with injuries.

In his 3rd season he broke out. He had 20 receptions for 290 yards and 6 TDs for the 2015 Hawkeyes. You could argue that he could have been used more heavily, but he was on a team that featured Matt Vandenberg (NFL potential before repeated foot injuries), Tevaun Smith (played in NFL), Henry Krieger Coble (played in NFL), Leshun Daniels (played in NFL), and Akrum Wadley and Jordan Canzieri (2 of the most productive backs of the KF-era). Kittle was tied for 4th on the team in receptions with Canzieri (behind MVB, Smith, and HKC). That was also a Greg Davis offense that used TEs differently than KOK or BF.

In his 4th season he struggled with injuries again. He had 22 receptions for 314 yards and 4 TDs, but he only played in 9 games. He missed the 1st game of the season, and he was pretty hobbled for the entire second half.

 

[99topdawg]

This just in: guys developing quickly with eyes toward the NFL is good for recruiting and keeps the Hawkeyes from falling behind.

WRONG!!! I'd rather have guys that AREN'T good enough to leave early!

 

[Northside Hawk]

Shocked that you guys decided to view this negatively. Really shocked. Especially from Iowa Law. He's Mr. Positive on most occasions.

Good lord.

These same people would be the first ones to go off if we did make it to the CFP and promptly got pasted by Alabama or Clemson. When a poster on another thread suggests that Kirk tanked the season to make a point to Chris Fant you wonder if they should be watching sports in the first place.

 

[99topdawg]

I'd say we may see one of these articles next year about the '17 class with Epenesa, Wirfs, Colbert, Mansell, Hankins, IKM, ISM, Nixon (I hope) Geno Stone, plus others that may blossom next year, such as Kallenberger, etc.