Collin Cowherd

[OmaHawk13]

I don't see the humor. Iowa could use more 5 and 4 star talent....obviously the more 5s the better. You might be able to make a gem out of some 2 and 3 star talent, but the talent level will be apparent or lack thereof in the big games generally speaking. At least with Iowa that has held true.

And, if you don't have the talent, you better out scheme your opponent in the big games. Good luck with Gameday conservative Kirk on that.

Well that's easier said then done. Iowa has never been a school that is attractive to 4-stars and 5-stars. We've never been a consistent Top 25 recruiting class, in fact I can't remember the last time we were in the Top 25 for recruiting.

Fact of the matter is within the B1G footprint, schools like Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Penn State all are more attractive options. All of those schools have always been better recruiting schools for different reasons and can easily get 4-stars. Iowa has always been known to scrape the bottom for diamonds in the rough. Which is fine.

Our recent facility upgrade could maybe help out with recruiting, let's hope it does. But that alone isn't going to start raking in 4 and 5 star athletes. Cowherd is right in the sense that we lack talent and star power. We will likely never have that. But what we got out of our "lack of" talent was a 12-0 season regardless of our easy schedule.

 

[HaydenHawk56]

Were you even alive when we had 4-5* recruits? If so you know how that ended.

Probably older than you junior. And, just because 4-5 recruits failed at one point in time, does not mean that will be the rule. With that type of thinking, we would have still had Lickliter around if we were afraid to recruit in basketball for fear of failure.

 

[HaydenHawk56]

Well that's easier said then done. Iowa has never been a school that is attractive to 4-stars and 5-stars. We've never been a consistent Top 25 recruiting class, in fact I can't remember the last time we were in the Top 25 for recruiting.

Fact of the matter is within the B1G footprint, schools like Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Penn State all are more attractive options. All of those schools have always been better recruiting schools for different reasons and can easily get 4-stars. Iowa has always been known to scrape the bottom for diamonds in the rough. Which is fine.

Our recent facility upgrade could maybe help out with recruiting, let's hope it does. But that alone isn't going to start raking in 4 and 5 star athletes. Cowherd is right in the sense that we lack talent and star power. We will likely never have that. But what we got out of our "lack of" talent was a 12-0 season regardless of our easy schedule.

Not saying it is easy. But, if you want to take the next step, that is a part of what you need to do. Hopefully this year and 2016 will help attract more talent.

 

[OmaHawk13]

Not saying it is easy. But, if you want to take the next step, that is a part of what you need to do. Hopefully this year and 2016 will help attract more talent.

I agree it's definitely something we need to do. But you don't just start attracting that type of talent randomly. All those other schools I mentioned before (OSU, Mich, MSU, Neb, Wisc, PSU) all have tons of history/tradition of winning that we really don't have. It helps that we went 12-0 this year and put ourselves back on the map. But one season like this doesn't automatically start attracting the top tier talent.

I still think this staff under-recruits the potential of what we can. We offer scholarships to too many in-state players that should probably be given preferred walk-ons first. We need to hit Florida and Texas harder. Even parts of Illinois/Ohio/Michigan. Expand outside or recruiting comfort zone of IA, NE, MN, WI, MO, IL

 

[ssckelley]

Well that's easier said then done. Iowa has never been a school that is attractive to 4-stars and 5-stars. We've never been a consistent Top 25 recruiting class, in fact I can't remember the last time we were in the Top 25 for recruiting.

Fact of the matter is within the B1G footprint, schools like Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Penn State all are more attractive options. All of those schools have always been better recruiting schools for different reasons and can easily get 4-stars. Iowa has always been known to scrape the bottom for diamonds in the rough. Which is fine.

Our recent facility upgrade could maybe help out with recruiting, let's hope it does. But that alone isn't going to start raking in 4 and 5 star athletes. Cowherd is right in the sense that we lack talent and star power. We will likely never have that. But what we got out of our "lack of" talent was a 12-0 season regardless of our easy schedule.

IIRC the 2005 recruiting class was ranked in the top 10, some of those players helped Iowa's 2009 undefeated run and Orange Bowl win. But they've never had consistent top 25 recruiting classes.

For the most part I agree with your post, Ohio State and Michigan are in a different class when it comes to recruiting. But I believe that is partially because of facilities but mainly because they are positioned in the hot bed of D1 talent. Wisconsin may have some recruiting advantages being the only major D1 program in it's state but I fail to see what advantages Nebraska has. I think Nebraska made a huge mistake leaving the Big 12, financially it made sense but it hurt their recruiting significantly. Perhaps I am wrong but I don't see Nebraska being a more attractive option than Iowa anymore. Now that Paterno is gone and with other D1 schools getting better on the East coast I'm not sure Penn State has many advantages either.

 

[Hawk90]

I agree finding a QB for 2017 is a priority. Hopefully, the Iowa staff has figured out that we have had our most success with QBs' with some mobility; 2002, 2009, 2015. Iowa is not successful with a true pro-style dropback QB, no college program is anymore.

 

[HomerChampless]

Cowherd picked Iowa to win the Rose Bowl against Stanford. Do you see his point? He wasn't saying Iowa wasn't good. He was saying Iowa didn't belong in the Bowl Championship Series for whatever reason or ideology.

 

[NCHawker]

Last summer, it was said that Iowa's recruiting was at a 10 year low. Yes there are always diamonds in that group, however, you gotta get more talent if you want to contend for conference championships.

The whole, were awesome because we won a lot of games with 2 star guys is a joke. Honestly, I watch a lot of football and there were a lot of teams better than Iowa this season. Yes, they had a great season - its hard to go undefeated - that's why so few people do it.

But when you're struggling to beat Indiana and Minnesota..... you're not elite, you're just above average.

 

[OmaHawk13]

IIRC the 2005 recruiting class was ranked in the top 10, some of those players helped Iowa's 2009 undefeated run and Orange Bowl win. But they've never had consistent top 25 recruiting classes.

For the most part I agree with your post, Ohio State and Michigan are in a different class when it comes to recruiting. But I believe that is partially because of facilities but mainly because they are positioned in the hot bed of D1 talent. Wisconsin may have some recruiting advantages being the only major D1 program in it's state but I fail to see what advantages Nebraska has. I think Nebraska made a huge mistake leaving the Big 12, financially it made sense but it hurt their recruiting significantly. Perhaps I am wrong but I don't see Nebraska being a more attractive option than Iowa anymore. Now that Paterno is gone and with other D1 schools getting better on the East coast I'm not sure Penn State has many advantages either.

Well you could say Nebraska has those same advantages as Wisconsin being the only D1 program in the state. But I still think recruits see Nebraska as a "premier" program. They consistently get 4-star recruits with relative ease every year.

From 247 Sports:
NEBRASKA Top 3 recruits =
John Raridon (4-star) #1 OG
Marquel Dismuke (4-star) #9 S
Patrick O'Brien (4-star) #9 QB

IOWA Top 3 recruits =
Cedrick Lattimore (3-star) #23 SDE
Noah Fant (3-star) #36 ATH
Nate Stanley (3-star) #20 Pro-Style QB

WISCONSIN Top 3 recruits
Garrett Rand (4-star) #15 DT
Cole Van Lanen (4-star) #15 OT
AJ Taylor (4-star) #19 ATH

From my Nebraska friends, the move to the B1G financially was a massive leap from the Big 12. Texas was running that conference and the Longhorn Network alone is a disaster. When they were leaving there were rumors the entire conference was going to shut down. They still recruit FL, CA, TX pretty heavily. 2 of the 4-stars listed under Nebraska's Top 3 recruits above are from California. Info I'm getting from them is they're expecting to finish the class with about 8 4-stars once everyone finally commits. Iowa will most likely finish with 0 unless we steal Farniok.

I think we can recruit much better than we have been. But the reality is Wisconsin and Nebraska still are "sexier" destinations for most recruits nationally

 

[Fryowa]

Not saying it is easy. But, if you want to take the next step, that is a part of what you need to do. Hopefully this year and 2016 will help attract more talent.

I hate to tell you this but the BCG and Rose Bowl did ten times more to hurt recruiting than the 12-0 regular season did to help it. For God's sake just look at this website. During and after the regular season everyone here wanted to immortalize KF in a 60' tall solid gold statue and rename Iowa City "New Kirkville." LITERALLY one day after the Rose Bowl everyone here wants him fired again and is back to their old whiny crap sounding like Nebraska fans. If it does that to a Hawkeye fan site, how clowny do you think we look to the rest of the world?? I've loved Hawkeye sports dearly my entire life, but you have to face the truth. Go Team and Ra Ra Ra don't get you anywhere, and our team unfortunately took a major, major dump on national TV. You've got to realize that high school seniors around the country aren't loyal, never say die Hawkeye fans posting on message boards. We live in the ESPN era where kids want to play for teams that cater to divas, get on TV the most, and have the biggest and nicest stadiums and facilities. Sorry man, Iowa is none of those.

I'd rather have 1 CJ Beathard than 10 Jameis Winstons playing on my team, but unfortunately that mindset does not win you national championships. Ferentz can go after all the 2 stars he wants and mold them into 3 stars, but at the end of the day size, speed, and athletic ability win ball games, especially at the college level. Unless you want to turn Iowa into a school that welcomes loose cannons we are not going to succeed at the very top.

We float around 50-60th in recruiting most years. Alabama usually gets more 5*'s than the Big 10 combined, and Iowa's more often than not at the bottom of even the Big10. Recruiting is one of the most important parts of college FB, but any bump the Hawkeyes get is going to be like peeing in the ocean. There are many more opportunities from a play calling and coaching scheme standpoint that will pay bigger dividends short-term than recruiting can.

 

[OmaHawk13]

IIRC the 2005 recruiting class was ranked in the top 10, some of those players helped Iowa's 2009 undefeated run and Orange Bowl win. But they've never had consistent top 25 recruiting classes.

For the most part I agree with your post, Ohio State and Michigan are in a different class when it comes to recruiting. But I believe that is partially because of facilities but mainly because they are positioned in the hot bed of D1 talent. Wisconsin may have some recruiting advantages being the only major D1 program in it's state but I fail to see what advantages Nebraska has. I think Nebraska made a huge mistake leaving the Big 12, financially it made sense but it hurt their recruiting significantly. Perhaps I am wrong but I don't see Nebraska being a more attractive option than Iowa anymore. Now that Paterno is gone and with other D1 schools getting better on the East coast I'm not sure Penn State has many advantages either.

Recruiting rankings every year pretty much prove Wisconsin and Nebraska have recruiting advantages over Iowa. We've been behind in facilities for years until last year. Our stadium is much smaller than both of theirs (As much as I love Kinnick). And historically, both of them win more. It's an unfortunate fact, but until we are the program that's winning 9-10 games every year we will probably stay in the 50's and 60's in the recruiting rankings accepting the low 3-star MAC recruits

 

[Robowe]

Last summer, it was said that Iowa's recruiting was at a 10 year low. Yes there are always diamonds in that group, however, you gotta get more talent if you want to contend for conference championships.

The whole, were awesome because we won a lot of games with 2 star guys is a joke. Honestly, I watch a lot of football and there were a lot of teams better than Iowa this season. Yes, they had a great season - its hard to go undefeated - that's why so few people do it.

But when you're struggling to beat Indiana and Minnesota..... you're not elite, you're just above average.

Do you consider Ohio State elite? They have great recruiting classes and won the National Championship last year.

They also struggled to beat Indiana (34-27) and Northern Illinois (20-13) this year.

 

[ssckelley]

Well you could say Nebraska has those same advantages as Wisconsin being the only D1 program in the state. But I still think recruits see Nebraska as a "premier" program. They consistently get 4-star recruits with relative ease every year.

From my Nebraska friends, the move to the B1G financially was a massive leap from the Big 12. Texas was running that conference and the Longhorn Network alone is a disaster. When they were leaving there were rumors the entire conference was going to shut down. They still recruit FL, CA, TX pretty heavily. 2 of the 4-stars listed under Nebraska's Top 3 recruits above are from California. Info I'm getting from them is they're expecting to finish the class with about 8 4-stars once everyone finally commits. Iowa will most likely finish with 0 unless we steal Farniok.

I think we can recruit much better than we have been. But the reality is Wisconsin and Nebraska still are "sexier" destinations for most recruits nationally

Just to be clear I don't believe Nebraska should have stayed in the B12 for all the reasons you listed, only from a recruiting stand point and national prestige was it a mistake. That national prestige is almost gone and this season may have been the final nail in the coffin. IMO they will have to scratch and claw their way with diamonds in the rough just like Iowa. You really can't say Nebraska has the same advantages as Wisconsin of being the only D1 program in the state with 1/3rd of the population base to draw recruits from. The 2016 recruiting class really isn't a fair assessment since that class has pretty much been set before this season even started. As of right now if they get the facilities in order Iowa recruiters will have just as much to sell a recruit from TX, FL, and CA as Nebraska does and perhaps a little more coming off a RB appearance.

Wisconsin is only sexier because of the recent sustained success they have had since Alvarez turned the program around. Wisconsin will always have a small edge in recruiting because they have a larger base to draw recruits from, and being the only D1 school but it isn't anything like what Michigan and Ohio State has. Minnesota has the same advantages and if Iowa can out hustle Minnesota they can out hustle Wisconsin, IMO.

 

[ssckelley]

Recruiting rankings every year pretty much prove Wisconsin and Nebraska have recruiting advantages over Iowa. We've been behind in facilities for years until last year. Our stadium is much smaller than both of theirs (As much as I love Kinnick). And historically, both of them win more. It's an unfortunate fact, but until we are the program that's winning 9-10 games every year we will probably stay in the 50's and 60's in the recruiting rankings accepting the low 3-star MAC recruits

I'll agree with you on the facilities, Iowa needs to take that advantage a way.

 

[hwk23]

Colin said right after the MSU game that Iowa might beat Stanford because it was a "let down" game for Stanford. I actually think it was a let down game for Iowa, if anything. Colin was getting his excuses in order early. Regardless I don't know how many missed tackles but it was probably a record for Iowa. Blocking was also terrible. To act like that was a normal game for Iowa is ridiculous.

 

[OmaHawk13]

Just to be clear I don't believe Nebraska should have stayed in the B12 for all the reasons you listed, only from a recruiting stand point and national prestige was it a mistake. That national prestige is almost gone and this season may have been the final nail in the coffin. IMO they will have to scratch and claw their way with diamonds in the rough just like Iowa. You really can't say Nebraska has the same advantages as Wisconsin of being the only D1 program in the state with 1/3rd of the population base to draw recruits from. The 2016 recruiting class really isn't a fair assessment since that class has pretty much been set before this season even started. As of right now if they get the facilities in order Iowa recruiters will have just as much to sell a recruit from TX, FL, and CA as Nebraska does and perhaps a little more coming off a RB appearance.

Wisconsin is only sexier because of the recent sustained success they have had since Alvarez turned the program around. Wisconsin will always have a small edge in recruiting because they have a larger base to draw recruits from, and being the only D1 school but it isn't anything like what Michigan and Ohio State has. Minnesota has the same advantages and if Iowa can out hustle Minnesota they can out hustle Wisconsin, IMO.

I agree the lust has come off of Nebraska in recent years as they haven't been able to win nationally since the 90's. A lot of national analysts and coaches still see that place as an elite destination despite that though and I think recruits are aware of that. My point wasn't even supposed to just be a representation of the 2016 class. Look at the recruiting classes of Iowa, Nebraska, and Wisconsin the past 6 years or so. Nebraska and Wisconsin both are pretty consistently in the Top 25 or close to it. Iowa is in the 50's and 60's in just about all except one. I don't think Nebraska and Wisconsin's advantages are that much greater in the grand scheme of things, but it's still pretty clear they are much more "attractive" to recruits and the rankings and classes prove that.

Also, I don't think this season alone will spark our recruiting, especially considering our class is essentially filled to the brim with the exception of accepting 2 or 3 late additions at most. Unless we have another good season next year, this season will kind of be a wash in a way, with how we finished. No one is going to all of the sudden look at us as a premier destination after 1 Rose Bowl appearance where we got shellacked on national TV. We need to sustain consistent success in order to project ourselves on a national scale, something Wisconsin and Nebraska have done for years.

 

[chadfrey]

I've remained silent a lot this season, and refused to chime in on the Cowherd "issue"

But no more. He's trolling Iowa once again, so here's what I got:

Cowherd is more irrelevant than Tabor College football — and he will always be irrelevant. He is nothing but a blowhard with a microphone. Seriously.

When it come to determining a national champion, he has about as much say in the discussion as we do. As in — NONE.

He is not an AP voter, nor can he participate in the coaching poll. He is an outsider looking in trying to fill airtime — and unless he chooses to try to be a real journalist (which requires setting your own opinions on a shelf as you cover issues and events — doubt he has that ability) he will never be a voter in any poll that matters.

Forget the troll. He has a microphone and cushy job. He is a wart on sports media's hind that needs to be removed. FOX needs to realize most would rather watch an actual sporting contest rather than some talking head.

--- edited for punctuation and word usage ---

 

[Fryowa]

...unless he chooses to try to be a real journalist (which requires setting your own opinions on a shelf as you cover issues and events — doubt he has that ability) he will never be a voter in any poll that matters.

Hate Cowherd. Wouldn't be overly upset if he fell down an elevator shaft. Might actually fix his lithp.

But no one, including himself, has ever considered CC a journalist. You need to understand the distinction. His job is literally to give his opinion and **** people off so they rant about his show to other people. Which you are doing. Win for Cowherd.

FOX needs to realize most would rather watch an actual sporting contest rather than some talking head.

False. As nauseating as Cowherd is, orders of magnitude more people tune into his show and enjoy it than there are Hawkeye fans. Yes, we hate it, but to say that FOX should ditch his show because no one wants to hear it is stupid. Don't embarrass yourself with Husker-style temper tantrums.

 

[OmaHawk13]

I HATE Cowherd as much as anyone, believe me.

But, there is nothing that he said in this video that isn't true. As much as it pains me to admit it.

 

[ssckelley]

I agree the lust has come off of Nebraska in recent years as they haven't been able to win nationally since the 90's. A lot of national analysts and coaches still see that place as an elite destination despite that though and I think recruits are aware of that. My point wasn't even supposed to just be a representation of the 2016 class. Look at the recruiting classes of Iowa, Nebraska, and Wisconsin the past 6 years or so. Nebraska and Wisconsin both are pretty consistently in the Top 25 or close to it. Iowa is in the 50's and 60's in just about all except one. I don't think Nebraska and Wisconsin's advantages are that much greater in the grand scheme of things, but it's still pretty clear they are much more "attractive" to recruits and the rankings and classes prove that.

But over the past 6 years it isn't a fair comparison, Iowa has been swimming in mediocrity. I think going forward, assuming they can equalize the facilities part Iowa should be able to out hustle Nebraska and Wisconsin. I just don't see the prestige in Wisconsin and, like I said, Nebraska's is quickly disappearing if it hasn't already. Wisconsin doesn't have a lot on Iowa, yes they won or shared in the Big Ten championship between 2010 and 2012 (3 years) but that isn't the same prestige as winning the NC. They have had a longer run of sustained success than Iowa but if I'm a recruiter talking to a 2017 or 2018 recruit I'm pitching how close Iowa came to the playoffs. In the short term, I agree with you that Wisconsin might be a little more sexier but again I still think they can be out hustled. Nebraska, I just don't see it there are so many weapons a recruiter has over Nebraska right now. Nebraska made a mistake firing Bo Pelini and replacing him with Mike Riley. If Nebraska goes through another year of mediocrity or a losing record they could easily slide into non-relevance.

Also, I don't think this season alone will spark our recruiting, especially considering our class is essentially filled to the brim with the exception of accepting 2 or 3 late additions at most. Unless we have another good season next year, this season will kind of be a wash in a way, with how we finished. No one is going to all of the sudden look at us as a premier destination after 1 Rose Bowl appearance where we got shellacked on national TV. We need to sustain consistent success in order to project ourselves on a national scale, something Wisconsin and Nebraska have done for years.

I agree completely, Iowa needs more than just this season in order to gain relevance on the national scene. I don't think the finish matters a ton (it does some) as at least Iowa's name got out their even if it was in a negative fashion. But in the midwest, where Iowa does most of its recruiting, this season has gained a lot of momentum in the right direction. If Iowa wins the West again next season it will have a big positive impact on future recruiting classes. To your point Iowa had a top 10 recruiting class in 2005 but it wasn't because of 1 good season, it was after 3 top ten finishes. Remember that 3 year run started with Iowa getting national attention in 2002 and then getting shelled in the Orange Bowl against USC.