2019 Recruiting Class looking good

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NikeHawk21

Well-Known Member
Many on this board, including myself have talked about how recruiting has really improved in the recent years. The 2019 class looks to be a very good one.

The class was only rated #41 by 247 sports but there were many good looking prospects that had some solid offer sheets. Felt this class was much stronger than it “ranked”

Already making impacts:
-Goodson
-Britt
-LaPorta (was the lowest rated TE of the 3)
-Campbell
-Belton

I would say all those guys except Campbell are already basically starter level players.

Other guys who have already played some:
-Hutson
-Harris

Yesterday coaches mentioned two of the highly rated guys are coming along. Both guys just needed a little weight. These kids have very bright futures:
-Jacobs
-Lee

I think if a couple of the remaining Olinemen emerge over the next few years this could go down as one of the best classes in Kirk’s tenure at Iowa.
 
On Lee I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he starts at DT next year alongside Nixon, which could be an awesome pairing.

In theory you could have 6-7 players from this class in starting roles by next fall. That’s pretty crazy.
 
I don't think your examples are an indication that recruiting has "improved in recent years." They show a class ranked in the middle of the big 10, like every year.

You list a hand full of guys who have seen snaps this year, just like every college football team in America. Most teams have quite a few more true freshmen playing than us (Illinois had something like 18 play last year).

Then you look at the specific guys playing. LaPorta has 2 catches for his career. He played last week only as a result of injury and lack of talent at TE (if Fant and Hock were around, LaPorta would be a redshirt). Campbell is in the same boat, playing due to injury, and has 5 tackles on the year. Britt is the 4th guard on a team where guard is the weakest position on the field. It's great that they are playing well, but it's not an anomaly.

Thus far, the only difference maker out of the freshmen class has been Goodson. It's fair to say that virtually every football has at least 1 true freshmen seeing significant reps (Iowa State's starting qb all last year was a true frosh).

No doubt the class of 2019 is off to a good start...but we say that every year. In 2018, Sargent signed late and became our starting RB. In 2017, Brandon Smith, Smith Marsette, and Epenesa all saw more reps than the freshmen you mentioned.

Time will tell whether these guys will get Iowa over the 8-4 / 7-5 hump.
 
NikeHawk21 said:
On Lee I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he starts at DT next year alongside Nixon, which could be an awesome pairing.

In theory you could have 6-7 players from this class in starting roles by next fall. That’s pretty crazy.
Click to expand...

Lee will be starting somewhere next year, he’s an animal. Hell throw him in at offensive guard this year, he has no idea what he’s doing but at least he’s a fighter, athletic and tough
 
IowaLawWasRight said:
I don't think your examples are an indication that recruiting has "improved in recent years." They show a class ranked in the middle of the big 10, like every year.

You list a hand full of guys who have seen snaps this year, just like every college football team in America. Most teams have quite a few more true freshmen playing than us (Illinois had something like 18 play last year).

Then you look at the specific guys playing. LaPorta has 2 catches for his career. He played last week only as a result of injury and lack of talent at TE (if Fant and Hock were around, LaPorta would be a redshirt). Campbell is in the same boat, playing due to injury, and has 5 tackles on the year. Britt is the 4th guard on a team where guard is the weakest position on the field. It's great that they are playing well, but it's not an anomaly.

Thus far, the only difference maker out of the freshmen class has been Goodson. It's fair to say that virtually every football has at least 1 true freshmen seeing significant reps (Iowa State's starting qb all last year was a true frosh).

No doubt the class of 2019 is off to a good start...but we say that every year. In 2018, Sargent signed late and became our starting RB. In 2017, Brandon Smith, Smith Marsette, and Epenesa all saw more reps than the freshmen you mentioned.

Time will tell whether these guys will get Iowa over the 8-4 / 7-5 hump.
Click to expand...
I’m likely overhyping it, but for that many true freshman to already make their way onto the field is pretty impressive at Iowa, especially on a team ranked top 20 nationally.

If you like recruiting rankings Iowa’s 2020 class currently sits in the top 30, which is pretty good by our standards.

Sure these guys aren’t putting up unbelievable stats yet obviously, but this is more of an eye test analysis for me. I just see talent and I think about what these guys might look like after a couple years with Doyle.
 
IowaLawWasRight said:
I don't think your examples are an indication that recruiting has "improved in recent years." They show a class ranked in the middle of the big 10, like every year.

You list a hand full of guys who have seen snaps this year, just like every college football team in America. Most teams have quite a few more true freshmen playing than us (Illinois had something like 18 play last year).

Then you look at the specific guys playing. LaPorta has 2 catches for his career. He played last week only as a result of injury and lack of talent at TE (if Fant and Hock were around, LaPorta would be a redshirt). Campbell is in the same boat, playing due to injury, and has 5 tackles on the year. Britt is the 4th guard on a team where guard is the weakest position on the field. It's great that they are playing well, but it's not an anomaly.

Thus far, the only difference maker out of the freshmen class has been Goodson. It's fair to say that virtually every football has at least 1 true freshmen seeing significant reps (Iowa State's starting qb all last year was a true frosh).

No doubt the class of 2019 is off to a good start...but we say that every year. In 2018, Sargent signed late and became our starting RB. In 2017, Brandon Smith, Smith Marsette, and Epenesa all saw more reps than the freshmen you mentioned.

Time will tell whether these guys will get Iowa over the 8-4 / 7-5 hump.
Click to expand...

The amount of freshman playing on this years team and making an impact is actually quite good for recruiting class that was rated that low and playing on a team ranked in the top 25.
 
I think you’re both right: should we be excited about the young guys (already getting playing time) across basically the full range of positions? Yes. Are we overstating this a little bit? Yes.

I’ve always wished that Iowa could snag a super high-level RB recruit every other year. To be honest, this is based off my idea of “old-school” Iowa football, with dominant OL play and powerful zone blocking. The last few years… we haven’t quite been that team on the LOS. But, if we can get back to those days, and figure out our run blocking - why couldn’t Iowa have a dominant talent at RB ?? In some ways, I’m thinking of Wisconsin. You can go down the list of their RBs that have had incredible success and NFL careers. Iowa has not successfully recruited elite RBs. And I think this has something to do with our mediocre production in the run game. Don’t get me wrong, I am not bashing our players. I think we have a some good RBs. But the only running back we’ve recently put in the NFL is Shonn Greene, so I don’t think I’m out of bounds when saying we’ve lacked talent. My real point is that this should be an easy sell for the coaching staff. Typically, and if you ask around scouting/NFL circles, Iowa produces incredible OLineman. We play pro style football, great defense, we’re an incredibly competitive, big stage program. Why can’t we land a big time RB (with the blue chip combo of size/speed/power) ??

Also, I’m excited to see what happens with Alex Padilla. It seems like he played in a big-time HS football league. There have been a few high-level skill players to come out of the Denver metro recently, and it seems like Padilla’s HS resume fits right into that discussion. He’s listed at 6‘1“ on the roster, which is a little small, but if he can play ball, who cares? Curious for anyone’s insider info on next year’s starting quarterback battle. I see Spencer Petras listed as the back up, but I’m not sure if/what that really means for the starting role next season. Padilla and Petras both have incredible HS highlight tapes. Meaning, they both played in offenses that aired it out, and let them consistently throw huge deep passes. Makes for a good highlight tape. Between Mansell, Petrus, and Padilla - should be a good battle.
 
hawkdrummer1 said:
Could use some impact players on the OL
Click to expand...
deanvogs said:
We have a Fr. who is just over a year removed for ACL surgery who has earned playing time this year. Any true Fr. who does that turn out to be complete studs for Iowa.
Click to expand...
Ezra Miller and Tyler Endres we’re both 4*s on 247. We haven’t heard from them yet but I wouldn’t count them out. Remember some of these guys have been here less than 6 months.
 
IowaTeddy said:
I think you’re both right: should we be excited about the young guys (already getting playing time) across basically the full range of positions? Yes. Are we overstating this a little bit? Yes.

I’ve always wished that Iowa could snag a super high-level RB recruit every other year. To be honest, this is based off my idea of “old-school” Iowa football, with dominant OL play and powerful zone blocking. The last few years… we haven’t quite been that team on the LOS. But, if we can get back to those days, and figure out our run blocking - why couldn’t Iowa have a dominant talent at RB ?? In some ways, I’m thinking of Wisconsin. You can go down the list of their RBs that have had incredible success and NFL careers. Iowa has not successfully recruited elite RBs. And I think this has something to do with our mediocre production in the run game. Don’t get me wrong, I am not bashing our players. I think we have a some good RBs. But the only running back we’ve recently put in the NFL is Shonn Greene, so I don’t think I’m out of bounds when saying we’ve lacked talent. My real point is that this should be an easy sell for the coaching staff. Typically, and if you ask around scouting/NFL circles, Iowa produces incredible OLineman. We play pro style football, great defense, we’re an incredibly competitive, big stage program. Why can’t we land a big time RB (with the blue chip combo of size/speed/power) ??

Also, I’m excited to see what happens with Alex Padilla. It seems like he played in a big-time HS football league. There have been a few high-level skill players to come out of the Denver metro recently, and it seems like Padilla’s HS resume fits right into that discussion. He’s listed at 6‘1“ on the roster, which is a little small, but if he can play ball, who cares? Curious for anyone’s insider info on next year’s starting quarterback battle. I see Spencer Petras listed as the back up, but I’m not sure if/what that really means for the starting role next season. Padilla and Petras both have incredible HS highlight tapes. Meaning, they both played in offenses that aired it out, and let them consistently throw huge deep passes. Makes for a good highlight tape. Between Mansell, Petrus, and Padilla - should be a good battle.
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Good post.

I think many are hoping Goodson is that game changer at RB.
 
PCHawk said:
I don't think there is any arguing that our recruiting has improved over the last few years. The only argument you can make is team recruiting ranking, but that's a joke because you can pretty much fill it out blind every year based on the school names.
Click to expand...

The biggest difference I've seen in recruiting recently has been the overall athletism and size of the players has gotten better.

Iowa has been getting guys like Fant, Jackson, Wirfs, AJE, Smith, Britt, Shannon, ISM, Goodson, Hock, countless DBs, Tracy, Linderbaum

All of those guys either came to Iowa at a good size for their positions and/or had the pure athletism to play in year 1 or 2 in the program.

Don't get me wrong. I love Iowa's development of the under the radar guys but its nice to have dudes out there that look the part and could step in most B1G programs and be a contributor early.
 
Food for thought.
What positions have we struggled at?
Wr?
Rb?
Maybe even qb a little? (Swagger)
What positions handle the ball 99% of the time?
What is usually the general make up of such players? A little cocky? Self absorbed?
Hopefully Hogan shows the coaches that you can be a little cocky, be a little bit of a "give me the ball coach" type of person, yet still be a hard worker, stay out of trouble and be a team player.
You would think that coaching under Fry, #1 we wouldn't be afraid of a little swagger. Maybe more importantly, one should be more self aware about what goes into recruiting "the right fit".
One thing about people is they love to swing the pendulum. They love to over compensate if it goes a little one direction.
I'm not promoting or suggesting taking prima donnas. I'm just saying a little swagger isn't always such a bad thing.
 
4thngoal said:
Food for thought.
What positions have we struggled at?
Wr?
Rb?
Maybe even qb a little? (Swagger)
What positions handle the ball 99% of the time?
What is usually the general make up of such players? A little cocky? Self absorbed?
Hopefully Hogan shows the coaches that you can be a little cocky, be a little bit of a "give me the ball coach" type of person, yet still be a hard worker, stay out of trouble and be a team player.
You would think that coaching under Fry, #1 we wouldn't be afraid of a little swagger. Maybe more importantly, one should be more self aware about what goes into recruiting "the right fit".
One thing about people is they love to swing the pendulum. They love to over compensate if it goes a little one direction.
I'm not promoting or suggesting taking prima donnas. I'm just saying a little swagger isn't always such a bad thing.
Click to expand...
The exciting thing for me is that I feel we are improving that those positions. Look at our WR group this year. Goodson looks like he could be a future star in the RB group.

QB recruiting has been good. Petras, Padilla, and Hogan that’s a quality three year run.
 
eveningnewsteam said:
Lee will be starting somewhere next year, he’s an animal. Hell throw him in at offensive guard this year, he has no idea what he’s doing but at least he’s a fighter, athletic and tough
Click to expand...
I’m hoping he can get to at least 280-285. I’m already getting excited for a pairing of him and Nixon at DT next year. You have the athletic space eater in Nixon and then the very athletic Lee. That could be a very very good DT tandem.
 
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