Five Potential Breakout Players for Iowa Football in '18
- Thread starter RobHowe
- Start date
guffus
Well-Known Member
This is always a tough category.
You could make an argument that Amani Hooker already "broke out" last year once he broke into the starting lineup I believe as early as the PSU game. So I am not sure he should be on the list of potential breakout stars.
On the other hand, even though Brandon Smith played some last year, just about everybody can agree that he really has not broke out yet. And to be honest, I am still not sure he will, but I am rooting for him. He sounds like a good kid.
You could make an argument that Amani Hooker already "broke out" last year once he broke into the starting lineup I believe as early as the PSU game. So I am not sure he should be on the list of potential breakout stars.
On the other hand, even though Brandon Smith played some last year, just about everybody can agree that he really has not broke out yet. And to be honest, I am still not sure he will, but I am rooting for him. He sounds like a good kid.
AreWeThereYet
Well-Known Member
If Ryan Gersonde can stay healthy and consistently punt like he did against Northwestern he'll definitely emerge as a key player. I have him down as a journeyman next year, because I don't think we have really seen enough. He's definitely flashed some talent and is far from a long shot.
AreWeThereYet
Well-Known Member
So we get to call Wirfs, Jackson, Epenesa, Hockenson & Hanks something else, since dramatic improvement is already pretty obvious. Something like emerging key players or dramatically improving underclassmen.
Have we really seen enough of Toren Young to leave him off any breakout list?
Have we really seen enough of Toren Young to leave him off any breakout list?
RobHowe
Administrator
Hooker was borderline for me. He started to break out last season but I think it gets completed this year.
I thought about Toren Young but I'm not sure how the carries will be split this season.
The rules for this exercise aren't black and white. Different people will have different definitions of "break out." I look at it as guys who aren't household names to the average fan.
I thought about Toren Young but I'm not sure how the carries will be split this season.
The rules for this exercise aren't black and white. Different people will have different definitions of "break out." I look at it as guys who aren't household names to the average fan.
SteveGarvey1
Well-Known Member
If he can limit the amount of 26 yard-type punts that we experienced a lot last year, how could Gersonde not be considered a break out guy?
#1DieHardHawk
Well-Known Member
I think we'll be hearing Groeneweg's name a lot this season. Just a hunch.
Better punting and I think we have two more wins last year.
Yeah, amazing how something like that one aspect can impact so much. Just like the years when the turnover ratio is against the hawks like in I think 2014, just a few turnovers against and not recovering a few fumbles or dropping a couple key picks can lead to 7 vs 9 wins.
If Gersonde has the time and the money he may be attending some punting camps this summer run by some top punters. Like others have said he had inconsistency but has the leg so if he can improve that consistency and get about a 40 yard avg with some good hang time then he breaks out.
KF seems to favor the bigger battering ram type RBacks so if Young is tied with a couple of other backs going into game one Young probably gets the start. Of course rating the RBs also takes into not fumbling, picking up pass rushers, not missing holes, much of which we dont see in practice and sometimes in games.
In the end if Young is really good and gets 50% of the carries/snaps with two others sharing the other 50% of snaps that is fine, best player should get the most snaps. But I still like to see others get snaps and experience.
hawkdrummer1
Well-Known Member
Center could be the achille's heel of this year's offense if Render doesn't step in strong.
Northside Hawk
Well-Known Member
Northwestern and Purdue. If not Michigan State.
With all due respect to Hayden Fry, we don't plan on punting this year.
MelroseHawkins
Well-Known Member
I'm saying Kyle Groeneweg and Henry Geil.
Obviously, Groeneweg brings in experience from a decent 1AA team and Iowa needs another consistent receiving option. In addition, he's a terrific returner so can help field position.
Geil will be needed to help cover for Wadley leaving. He's more of a punishing RB so can take a fine number of carries.
Obviously, Groeneweg brings in experience from a decent 1AA team and Iowa needs another consistent receiving option. In addition, he's a terrific returner so can help field position.
Geil will be needed to help cover for Wadley leaving. He's more of a punishing RB so can take a fine number of carries.
GesterHawk
Well-Known Member
To me it is less important who starts the game at runningback compared to who finishes the game. I would love to see Young grinding out every 4th qtr this year (outside of the first 3 games, I expect #3 & #4 rb to close those out).
