okeefe4prez
Well-Known Member
That depth, though. We really needed the depth.
Anthony Nelson Going to the NFL
- Thread starter RobHowe
- Start date
homes
Well-Known Member
It hurts Iowa next year on the field. Hard to dispute that. Maybe it helps them in the long run as it's another example of Iowa taking an overlooked kid, who was willing to work hard, and turns him into a pro. Great PR, it must be promoted (and exploited).
You can no longer plan for next year, every year is now THE YEAR. Who at the beginning of the 2018 season thought Nelson, Hooker and probably Hockenson would be going pro? If someone said all three, I'd like to see that in writing.
Besides Epenesa, there could be more next year - Wirfs? Hankins? You don't know.
It really ramps up the pressure on recruiting, and getting freshmen on the field who even appear close to being contributors. The 4 game rule will need to be used to its fullest potential.
You can no longer plan for next year, every year is now THE YEAR. Who at the beginning of the 2018 season thought Nelson, Hooker and probably Hockenson would be going pro? If someone said all three, I'd like to see that in writing.
Besides Epenesa, there could be more next year - Wirfs? Hankins? You don't know.
It really ramps up the pressure on recruiting, and getting freshmen on the field who even appear close to being contributors. The 4 game rule will need to be used to its fullest potential.
It wouldn't be downgrading either of them to say A Nelson was dang good and with all the snaps he played he had the largest impact of any of them... Losing him hurts.. And it'll hurt AJE next yr not having him on the other side. Maybe Golston can do really well. He's done pretty good in limited reps so far so here's to hoping.
RobHowe
Administrator
Great point. Depth was one of the biggest strengths of this defensive line. Golston told me after the Outback Bowl that he felt it was the different against Mississippi State. Iowa just kept the pressure on.
Jackson I would think. We could lose both tackles after next yr pretty easily. It seems like the clock on how long kids are in school is speeding up. As soon as they have that lottery ticket in their hands they want to start cashing it. Hard to blame em
trj
Well-Known Member
Long arms so he will deflect his share of passes at the LOS. Not a explosive pass rusher, but a technician. Won't be an every down guy, but will work in rotation especially if he can work a little on the inside. He will be "cheap labor" for some NFL team.
ChosenChildren
Well-Known Member
You have to appreciate the good seasons. 9-4 with a bowl championship over a strong SEC team is a good season. We were competitive in every game.
How often have we gone 8 deep on the Dline with such a little drop off? Pretty much never. We'll remember this Dline as one of the best we've ever had. And as time goes on with the guys going on to the pros their legend will only grow... There's a better than good chance AJE is a top 10 pick after next yr... Depending on the needs of Qbs for teams and how good of ones develop he could even go #1... Not the craziest idea I've ever thrown out there...
MelroseHawkins
Well-Known Member
No. I doubt that. Unless it is a horrible QB class, I don't see Stanley getting drafted that high this year.
NikeHawk21
Well-Known Member
AJE, Wirfs, A Jackson (will be a RS Junior), T.J. if he returns (will be RS Junior), Hankins, maybe Nixon would be my first thoughts.
RobHowe
Administrator
I loved Norm, but he rode his starters until they dropped, which they did at Northwestern in '10. Reese Morgan and Phil Parker transitioning to a rotation up front has been very beneficial.
And, yes, Epenesa will be here one more year. He's a first-rounder next year. And if Golston breaks out, which I think is possible, he could follow AJ to the league.
So if Hock goes also I assume this means we have 4 more schollies than original to potentially sign up by February deadline?
Have you heard anything regarding John Waggoner's play at DE? Was the big 4 star DE recruit we hauled in a year ago. Hope he is getting ready to get thrown into the fire.
MelroseHawkins
Well-Known Member
Any DE 6' 7" and above and athletic the league is going to be real interested in secondary to most players also above average in height. They want his athleticism and ability to knock down or possibly change a QB's pass.
On one side (glass half full), this can look good for Iowa for recruiting having players leave early. Coaches getting them ready early. On the other side can suck for a developmental school like Iowa to take this many hits after one season. Hard for a school like Iowa to absorb that.
The landscape is changing in college football so the coaches will have to adjust to it. Again, it might be a good sign for recruiting, not just to sell to recruits about the success, but also that a recruit might have a more immediate chance at playing time if thin in positions. The coaches/recruiters have to know how to sell this situation to recruits.
homes
Well-Known Member
Yes it does. It also seems like some are going to come up either empty or farther down the line in the draft than maybe they believe. More guys coming out early, combined with the seniors - it's a numbers game, they all can't be first and second rounders. A quick search of Google, 247 Sports (as of January 4) had 89 (if I counted right) guys coming out early. That's almost three rounds of draft picks. Add half as many more to the list (which is probably conservative estimate), and that's more than 4 rounds of draft picks of guys who have declared early.
Last year there were 106, with 37 going unselected. This year there will be more. Of course, the mentality of these guys is - those 37 guys last year aren't me, but the reality is that yes it is you, or certainly can be.
Despite all of that reality, I don't blame a guy for trying to grab the brass ring.
PFF edge-rusher grades from 2017:
https://media.profootballfocus.com/2018/08/Nick-Bosa-pass-rushes-won2-1024x576.jpg
Nelson did not make the 2018 All-Big Ten Team...
...but he made a lot of weekly teams throughout the season. The guy is a stud, and I think he will do well at the next level.
SamBrownlee48
Well-Known Member
A Nelson seems like he could fit right in as a strong side 4-3 DE or 3-4 DT. He's got length, some bendability, and always played the run and set his edge very well.
Good luck Anthony!
Good luck Anthony!
I disagree about him not being an explosive rusher; you have to remember, he got on the field as a 245 lb RS Freshman. It wasn't because he was a physical presence, it was because he was quick around the edge. He grew into 275 lbs, but he still has great speed around the edge. Not AJE speed, but few have that.
MoseSchrute
Well-Known Member
So if we are going to become a factory for early draftees, I want more wins and better recruiting to go along with it.
What are your guesses? Simon was being talked up last spring, but have we seen him at all? What has the word been on Waggoner? Any other candidates you have heard about?
I still think there could be potential in taking a LB and converting them to DE, at least situationally.
