Four-Star In-State Standout T.J. Bollers Getting Down to Nitty Gritty

[NikeHawk21]

RE: the 4-3 vs 3-4. Isn't 4-3 a more common alignment, especially in the NFL? I can understand a receiver wanting to go to a passing school, or an run/pass QB wanting an offensive scheme that fits. But wouldn't Bollers be pidgeon-holing himself a bit to infer that he can only play in a 3-4?

Doesn't sound like he's that hot on IOWA either way...just curious.

I don’t know the exact numbers but I would think it’s actually closer to 50/50 on 4-3 vs 3-4 defenses in the NFL.

Edit just found this via Wikipedia:
As of 2019, NFL teams that regularly incorporate the 3–4 defensive alignment scheme as a base include the Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, New York Giants, New York Jets, Washington Redskins, Carolina Panthers, Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos, Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans, Chicago Bears, and the Arizona Cardinals.

That’s 15 of 32 teams, so right below 50%

 

[RobHowe]

It’s a fair point, but the question really is what position does TJ feel better suited to play in college. At Iowa they are going to ask him to get to probably 265 in order to handle playing against the run. Or at least if he wants to be an every down player. He might feel that isn’t his ideal playing weight. Zach Baun who played OLB for UW this year and is likely a 2nd-3rd round pick played at 6’3/235.

Sorry. Should have been more clear.

I wasn't making a comparison between Nelson and Bollers. Saw both of them play in high school. Two different body types.

 

[#1DieHardHawk]

Bollers is working towards as many blue-blood offers as he can get, and it is quite possible that he ends up out of state, possibly SEC. If he stays close, I would bet on Wisconsin, though I'm sure ISU's defense will appeal to him.

Very, very unlikely he ends up at Iowa. Probably < 5% chance unfortunately.

The coaches quite possibly see the writing on the wall and that may explain why they haven't reached out as much recently.

 

[Jonrn]

I wonder how creative Phil Parker is interested in getting? The MO has always been do a small number of things, and do them exceptionally. But the Athletic article on Clemson putting in an odd-front package for spread teams (one they stole from Iowa State) made me wonder if Iowa could do something similar. They should have a lot of athletic, LB type bodies. More opportunities to get Jestin Jacobs, Dillon Doyle, Jack Campbell, Joe Evans, etc. on the field. Could also sway Bollers, who likes the idea of being a 3-4 edge guy.

I don’t worry too much about defensive recruiting and really the defense on the field already. Obviously he’d be nice to have, but the defense will be excellent with or without him. Kinda reminds me of the John Waggoner situation from Dowling. He had a national presence recruiting and some big offers. He stayed home, we were all happy but he hasn’t been a huge presence yet and he is not going to make or break Iowa’s defense.

 

[MoseSchrute]

Living on the edge of Husker-land must have some influence.

It shouldn't anymore. They haven't done jack since before this kid was alive. But of course, we all know that.

Snake oil.

 

[haydensly]

It shouldn't anymore. They haven't done jack since before this kid was alive. But of course, we all know that.

Snake oil.

I grew up in western Iowa. Nebbie is still a very popular there, believe it or not. There are many long time fans. That side of the state is fairly evenly split between Iowa, Iowa State and Nebraska.

Not doing well recently really doesn't have any impact if, for instance, your entire family cheers for that team. I never liked their fan presence there but it is what it is.

 

[RobHowe]

 

[Xerxes]

Anthony Nelson, who as we know played end here, lined up at LB in Tampa Bay's 3-4 this season. We had him in the radio during the year and he said it was fun and not that big of a transition.

Aaron Kampman was a 4-3 end at Iowa and GB and switched to a 3-4 OLB when McCarthy got there in 2006 with Dom Capers as his DC.

Point being is good players will find a spot whether its 3-4 or 4-3.

 

[westender]

Bringing in the big dog.

 

[uihawk82]

Aaron Kampman was a 4-3 end at Iowa and GB and switched to a 3-4 OLB when McCarthy got there in 2006 with Dom Capers as his DC.

Point being is good players will find a spot whether its 3-4 or 4-3.

I am not sure about Kampman but Jared Devries started out at linebacker and the standup DE/Lbkr spot his first couple of years when I look back at old Hayden team videos on You Tube. I would say Devries was about 260-70 when he was done playing at Iowa and what a motor that guy had.

 

[MoseSchrute]

I grew up in western Iowa. Nebbie is still a very popular there, believe it or not. There are many long time fans. That side of the state is fairly evenly split between Iowa, Iowa State and Nebraska.

Not doing well recently really doesn't have any impact if, for instance, your entire family cheers for that team. I never liked their fan presence there but it is what it is.

Believe me dude, I live here too...I know. I even know a kid younger than twenty who is a fan and his parents never were. Makes no sense at all. They hardly even put guys in the pros anymore. I really don't get what they are selling.

 

[pootspot]

Bringing in the big dog.

“Look, are we holding hangs or is this serious? - KF”

For real though KF going to say we want you do you want in or not talk. I think he’s not and both sides move on.

 

[Husky28]

“Look, are we holding hangs or is this serious? - KF”

For real though KF going to say we want you do you want in or not talk. I think he’s not and both sides move on.

Yeah. Listening to the latest podcast of the recruit from Kansas says all we need to know about the Iowa staff and kind of recruiting they do. KF and team do it the right way - no begging.

 

[westender]

Believe me dude, I live here too...I know. I even know a kid younger than twenty who is a fan and his parents never were. Makes no sense at all. They hardly even put guys in the pros anymore. I really don't get what they are selling.

Do they still have only 3 channels of tv out there in Nebraska? maybe they are the only show they see.

 

[westender]

“Look, are we holding hangs or is this serious? - KF”

For real though KF going to say we want you do you want in or not talk. I think he’s not and both sides move on.

The Bollers know KF very very well.

 

[homes]

Heck, I'd be working the lunch counter at his school if I thought it would make a difference.

 

[IowaTeddy]

Believe me dude, I live here too...I know. I even know a kid younger than twenty who is a fan and his parents never were. Makes no sense at all. They hardly even put guys in the pros anymore. I really don't get what they are selling.

Iowa has better NFL production as of late (and maybe has for a while now). But it's unfair to say they hardly put guys in the pros. It's simply not true.

 

[ChosenChildren]

Frost has no record of developing talent, but sometimes it is hard to convince recruits of that fact.

If a young man wants to play in the NFL, Iowa must be considered. Seriously. You cannot dispute the Iowa coaching staff track record in that regard.

 

[RobHowe]

 

[Stanzi]

Welp he's definitely not staying in state now, lol.