Are Wirfs, Jackson, Epenesa NFL Ready?

[eyekwah]

Based on what has transpired so far I don't think so. Iowa's offensive line play against the rush is subpar and our defensive pass rush in passing downs has been mediocre. AJ's stats are well behind a year ago. Both offensive linemen mentioned have deficiencies. They need another year in my estimation. Their draft stock has fallen.

 

[IAHAWK1982]

First the offensive line problems are not because of Jackson and Wirfs, they are mainly because of the guards. Their draft stock won’t be affected by that. Second, Epenesa is routinely doubled and chipped and yet even though he doesn’t have the stats, he still has been disruptive. Remember so much of the draft is based on more than just college stats. All three of these guys have the reputation and will have the combine measurables that NFL teams look for. I doubt they will be around for another year. I hope they come back, but I wouldn’t put money on it.

 

[Jonrn]

All 3 are ready. The o line is a unit in name only each player has individual tape and responsibilities. Both Alaric and wirfs are sure early draft picks.

I mean, you could make the argument their draft picks have fallen based on the fact they have not dominated, wirfs might be the only 1st rounder left. However a second or third round pick is still worth leaving for.

 

[guffus]

AJE - Yes
Wirfs -Yes
Jackson -No

 

[Hawk4Fan]

No from what I have seen, AJE seems to have little to no impact on the field at all...and with all the oline issues going to say no to both Tackles to

 

[Northside Hawk]

Is it just me or is Van Valkenberg getting more reps? You don't possibly think they're phasing AJE back into the role he played last year, do you?

If there's any coach who doesn't give a sack of mule manure about a player's potential draft status, it's Kirk (see Fant, Noah last year who to be fair had some concussion issues and probably wasn't practicing full time).

To be blunt about it, he was more effective in the 2018 role. Zero tackles yesterday. One batted pass, one QB hurry, and one potentially very costly penalty. This isn't a small sample size anymore, it's half the season and you only hope his presence out there is making others better.

Yesterday could also be a case of Purdue going uptempo much of the second half and Phil trying to rotate fresh bodies in there, a smart move because that hurt us in the past, most notably 2010.

 

[HawkPrdatr40]

No from what I have seen, AJE seems to have little to no impact on the field at all...and with all the oline issues going to say no to both Tackles to

Little to no impact at all on the field? You should be banned for 24 hours for exposing yourself.. Ask Golston, Lattimore and Coach Parker about that no impact on the field at all.

 

[uihawk82]

Based on what has transpired so far I don't think so. Iowa's offensive line play against the rush is subpar and our defensive pass rush in passing downs has been mediocre. AJ's stats are well behind a year ago. Both offensive linemen mentioned have deficiencies. They need another year in my estimation. Their draft stock has fallen.

What deficiencies have you noticed? Are you a pro scout? I really want to know because some of you subscribe to scouting sites, etc. I am not calling you out as I really havent focused on these players that much but instead use replays to see how a play worked or didnt.

These three players can work out and get the numbers for what the pro scouts will run them through and they may have already done this to know how their numbers measure up.

Some of the decision may lie in how well they want their degree now, how their family wants them to stay in college like Clayborn, and how much they like the college experience.

Do the tackles have the footwork and technique to block for a passing QB in the pros? AJE seems to have the physical abilities.

 

[#1DieHardHawk]

Hate to say it, but I think all three are almost certainly gone.

Both tackles are playing solid. Jackson was rusty his first game back, but he quietly has really played well since. Wirfs will be a top 15 pick.

The head-scratcher for me has been A.J.

At first, like many fans, I thought that his lack of production was primarily due to more attention. While that is partially the case, I'm also seeing a player that really is not as athletic or explosive as I thought he was. He struggles with change of direction, which is what separates elite edge players from average ones. Several QBs have slipped past A.J. this season that would have been dead meat to Chase Young. He's not a quick-twitch disrupter like Young, more of a solid point of attack player in the Aaron Kampman mold.

Nevertheless, he's a very good player and will be drafted early, but probably not anywhere near the top 10 that was projected at the beginning of the season.

 

[Northside Hawk]

What deficiencies have you noticed? Are you a pro scout? I really want to know because some of you subscribe to scouting sites, etc. I am not calling you out as I really havent focused on these players that much but instead use replays to see how a play worked or didnt.

These three players can work out and get the numbers for what the pro scouts will run them through and they may have already done this to know how their numbers measure up.

Some of the decision may lie in how well they want their degree now, how their family wants them to stay in college like Clayborn, and how much they like the college experience.

Do the tackles have the footwork and technique to block for a passing QB in the pros? AJE seems to have the physical abilities.

If his getting re-routed outside the QB is part of our scheme to contain and help the guys inside, that's understandable. I can still see Terelle Pryor picking up that critical fourth and forever back in 2010, when a stop probably ices the game, because he got outside our contain.

I wish Eppy would simply bull rush the tackle more often. He's more than capable of doing that.

 

[Northside Hawk]

Hate to say it, but I think all three are almost certainly gone.

Both tackles are playing solid. Jackson was rusty his first game back, but he quietly has really played well since. Wirfs will be a top 15 pick.

The head-scratcher for me has been A.J.

At first, like many fans, I thought that his lack of production was primarily due to more attention. While that is partially the case, I'm also seeing a player that really is not as athletic or explosive as I thought he was. He struggles with change of direction, which is what separates elite edge players from average ones. Several QBs have slipped past A.J. this season that would have been dead meat to Chase Young. He's not a quick-twitch disrupter like Young, more of a solid point of attack player in the Aaron Kampman mold.

Nevertheless, he's a very good player and will be drafted early, but probably not anywhere near the top 10 that was projected at the beginning of the season.

I remember Matt Roth's stock steadily dropping the second half of his senior year, then him not playing well in the Capitol One or Senior Bowls, then sliding all the way to the middle of the second round. In fact, Roth by the end was drawing more attention for his antics than his play and I wouldn't be surprised if Kirk breathed a huge sigh of relief when he graduated.

Could easily happen to Eppy this year.

 

[uihawk82]

If his getting re-routed outside the QB is part of our scheme to contain and help the guys inside, that's understandable. I can still see Terelle Pryor picking up that critical fourth and forever back in 2010, when a stop probably ices the game, because he got outside our contain.

I wish Eppy would simply bull rush the tackle more often. He's more than capable of doing that.

Yes, Eppy gets farther upfield in the opponents backfield beyond the QB and it happened yesterday which led to Plummer scrambling to the 1 yard line.

I just havent seen Eppy use hardly any spin and swim moves like he seemed to do last year. Maybe he is coached that way in order to maintain contain.

 

[#1DieHardHawk]

I remember Matt Roth's stock steadily dropping the second half of his senior year, then him not playing well in the Capitol One or Senior Bowls, then sliding all the way to the middle of the second round. In fact, Roth by the end was drawing more attention for his antics than his play and I wouldn't be surprised if Kirk breathed a huge sigh of relief when he graduated.

Could easily happen to Eppy this year.

Except for the antics part....

Unless he suddenly ups his game, I wouldn't be totally shocked if Epenesa returned. I still think he's gone, but, he genuinely seems to enjoy college and his parents are supportive. It's possible that with another year of Doyle and coaching his stock could rise again.

 

[EstronHawkKing]

I remember Matt Roth's stock steadily dropping the second half of his senior year, then him not playing well in the Capitol One or Senior Bowls, then sliding all the way to the middle of the second round. In fact, Roth by the end was drawing more attention for his antics than his play and I wouldn't be surprised if Kirk breathed a huge sigh of relief when he graduated.

Could easily happen to Eppy this year.

I recall Matt getting injured in that bowl game, but he kept playing.

 

[BILLBUCKNER]

doesn't matter what we think. Its what the NFL scouts see that matters. I would say no to all them if they want to go 1st round. But why stick around and risk injury or get the Desmond King treatment. I am disapointed in Espy. I thought he would be much more dominate despite the double teams and chipping.

 

[Motigerhawk]

If Wirfs ad Jackson are gone, what dies our offensive line look like next year?

 

[NikeHawk21]

Wirfs has at least maintained his draft stock. I would imagine he ends up at guard in the NFL.

AJE has slightly hurt his draft stock but very well could go in the first round. There is an outside shot he stays which would be pretty cool. We talk about doubles and quick throws, but do teams not do that to Chase Young? He still gets his.

I’ve said it before but I think Alaric Jackson is pretty overrated. I’m not even convinced he’s that much better (at tackle) then Kallenberger is. I do not see Alaric Jackson as an NFL tackle. He’s not athletic enough to play LT and apparently he can’t play RT for some reason? As an NFL guard I’d say he’s a 3rd 4th round type player. Is he better On the interior than James Daniels (who now plays center)? No

 

[NikeHawk21]

If Wirfs ad Jackson are gone, what dies our offensive line look like next year?

I’m not worried about replacing Alaric if he does go. Losing Wirfs will suck.

LT - Kallenberger
LG - Britt
C - Linderbaum
RG - Barnwart / Ince
RT - Plumb or Ezra Miller or ?

I think the left side of that line and Linderbaum would be pretty good. Right side would be a big question mark.

 

[#1DieHardHawk]

If Wirfs ad Jackson are gone, what dies our offensive line look like next year?

I was wondering the same thing last night and actually went through the roster to see the most likely line-up. It could get real scary, but there is potential there.

Tackles - Kallenberger and Plumb, Endres or Miller.
Center - Linderbaum (no-brainer)
Guards - Britt and Ince, Banwart or Schott

Kallenberger is playing out of position this year. I fully expect him to start at one tackle spot. The competition for the other spot will be interesting.

At guard, a wildcard is Jenkins. If he bulks up over the spring and summer, I could see him making some noise. If not, I could also see him in the transfer portal. Really liked his tape in H.S. but for whatever reason, he hasn't made that leap yet.

 

[#1DieHardHawk]

One thing is for sure: Doyle is going to need to really crack the whip with the offensive line this off-season.

For all the accolades, we have to face the embarrassing fact that the interior of our line has looked physically overmatched the entire season. That simply shouldn't happen with the combination of Iowa's offensive line reputation and having presumably the best S&C coach in the country. We need to see some dramatic physical changes there.