Howe: 10 Players I'm Excited to Watch When Hawkeye Football Returns
- Thread starter RobHowe
- Start date
Motigerhawk
Well-Known Member
Sam LaPorta.
He is the next in line to continue the tradition. With those receivers getting watched this guy will be open all day long. Dude is athletic. And will make some HUGE plays in 2020.
He is the next in line to continue the tradition. With those receivers getting watched this guy will be open all day long. Dude is athletic. And will make some HUGE plays in 2020.
Zstatman
Well-Known Member
Well, Rob, I don't know how you limited your list to 10? And, somehow I assumed your office is in the basemtn with no windows but what do I know.
Here are my thoughts as to additions to your list:
1. The guy I've never heard of that emerges and you think, 'where did this guy come from? In your special teams preview you mentioned Dareraun McKenny or something like that from Michigan as a guy that could emerge on kickoff and punt returns, guys like that.
2. The RBs after Goodson, we need them, Mekhi with a strong last year? Byrd? I hope so, the new guys....
3. Who emerges at TE? Does LaPorta stake himself as the next great one? I'm intrigued with Lachey, his dad played at OSU, played in the NFL and is one of the OSU radio announcers, he's a 4 star recruit and he's not good enough for OSU???? Maybe he's an OL......
4. Does the Aussie, Taylor, win the punting job? Although maybe Gersonde finally takes the job? Or, does the NDSU transfer show that he knew what he was doing in transferring?
5. We seem to have good talent in the WR stable now, does somebody new emerge?
I'm starting to read bits and pieces now that both the BB and FB teams will be reporting sometime in June. I wouldn't be surprised but what we start playing in front of empty crowds or very few.
OK, Rob, go back to your window..............
Here are my thoughts as to additions to your list:
1. The guy I've never heard of that emerges and you think, 'where did this guy come from? In your special teams preview you mentioned Dareraun McKenny or something like that from Michigan as a guy that could emerge on kickoff and punt returns, guys like that.
2. The RBs after Goodson, we need them, Mekhi with a strong last year? Byrd? I hope so, the new guys....
3. Who emerges at TE? Does LaPorta stake himself as the next great one? I'm intrigued with Lachey, his dad played at OSU, played in the NFL and is one of the OSU radio announcers, he's a 4 star recruit and he's not good enough for OSU???? Maybe he's an OL......
4. Does the Aussie, Taylor, win the punting job? Although maybe Gersonde finally takes the job? Or, does the NDSU transfer show that he knew what he was doing in transferring?
5. We seem to have good talent in the WR stable now, does somebody new emerge?
I'm starting to read bits and pieces now that both the BB and FB teams will be reporting sometime in June. I wouldn't be surprised but what we start playing in front of empty crowds or very few.
OK, Rob, go back to your window..............
I share your intrigue regarding Lachey, but I don't think there is a chance he is a future OL. This kid is freaky athletic:
6' 6", 220 lbs, 247sports has him as the 6th best TE nationally. He is going to be a stud TE, or he is going to be a quick-twitch guy off the edge on D.
Can't believe we are bringing him in at the same time as Elijah Yelverton: 6'5", 225lbs, the 21st best TE according to 247sports and had offers from everyone (LSU, PSU, Oregon, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, etc.). Abundance of riches in the TE room going forward.
Motigerhawk
Well-Known Member
As we talk about these players to watch and then we have this new class joining and the class next year, I see something that makes good teams great, competition. These young guys are going to have to bring it in practice to earn playing time, and they will be doing it against talented players, that are better than most other teams. There is so much upside to this program.
GoHawks24
Well-Known Member
It will be interesting to see if Oliver Martin gets a little more PT this season.
I also agree with a prior poster on LaPorta. I'm excited to see how he's progressed, along with the other TE's in the room.
I think Julius Brents makes a comeback, too. The guy was playing as a true freshman before the injury bug got to him.
I also agree with a prior poster on LaPorta. I'm excited to see how he's progressed, along with the other TE's in the room.
I think Julius Brents makes a comeback, too. The guy was playing as a true freshman before the injury bug got to him.
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NikeHawk21
Well-Known Member
Interesting idea. I’ll do a couple.
My favorite players (as always, subject to change):
-Tyrone Tracy Jr
-Tyler Goodson
-Chauncey Golston
-Ihmir Smith-Marsette
-Daviyon Nixon
-Joe Evans
-Tyler Linderbaum
-Sam LaPorta
-Brandon Smith
-Matt Hankins
Guys that I’m excited to see more of that could breakout (and move into favorite group):
-Spencer Petras
-Logan Lee
-Julius Brents
-DJ Johnson
-Jestin Jacobs
-John Waggoner
-Justin Britt
-Kaevon Merriweather (earned starting spot last year but lost it due to injury)
Deeper sleepers that could emerge:
-Shad Byrd/Leshon Williams
-Jermari Harris
My favorite players (as always, subject to change):
-Tyrone Tracy Jr
-Tyler Goodson
-Chauncey Golston
-Ihmir Smith-Marsette
-Daviyon Nixon
-Joe Evans
-Tyler Linderbaum
-Sam LaPorta
-Brandon Smith
-Matt Hankins
Guys that I’m excited to see more of that could breakout (and move into favorite group):
-Spencer Petras
-Logan Lee
-Julius Brents
-DJ Johnson
-Jestin Jacobs
-John Waggoner
-Justin Britt
-Kaevon Merriweather (earned starting spot last year but lost it due to injury)
Deeper sleepers that could emerge:
-Shad Byrd/Leshon Williams
-Jermari Harris
NorthKCHawk
Well-Known Member
I had almost forgotten about Oliver Martin, and at this time last year, he was all we were talking about. Goes to show the depth in that room.
NikeHawk21
Well-Known Member
Top true freshman that I think have a chance to play in over 4 games:
-Yelverton (Snaps available at TE)
-Logan Jones (Think there is time available at DT if he can get enough weight on)
-Leshon Williams (Thunder to Goodson’s Lightning?)
-Deontae Craig (pass rushing specialist)
-Reggie Bracy (cash?)
-Isaiah Bruce (DT)
-Tyler Elsbury (could be one of our better guards from day one. Kid is a stud)
-Yahya Black
-Yelverton (Snaps available at TE)
-Logan Jones (Think there is time available at DT if he can get enough weight on)
-Leshon Williams (Thunder to Goodson’s Lightning?)
-Deontae Craig (pass rushing specialist)
-Reggie Bracy (cash?)
-Isaiah Bruce (DT)
-Tyler Elsbury (could be one of our better guards from day one. Kid is a stud)
-Yahya Black
SpiderRico
Well-Known Member
Tyrone Tracy was the only "obvious" omission I saw. The guy is a Swiss Army Knife for us.
NikeHawk21
Well-Known Member
Tyrone Tracy. Cool name, cool number, big play threat, stepped up huge when B Smith went down and he was only a freshman!
If Tracy can clean up the drops and keep improving elsewhere, then wow, just a matter of BF/Petras getting him the ball.
I have to say I’m super high on the receiving core:
-B Smith (physical possession WR)
-ISM (Pure speed)
-Tracy (quick & great after catch)
-Ragaini (route runner)
-Martin (all around)
Those guys complement each other well. They have experience and production to varying degrees. That could easily go down as the best WR group in KF’s tenure with a big year next year.
NikeHawk21
Well-Known Member
I don’t disagree with that. Have to get a consistent running game.
La Porta had a fantastic game against USC in the bowl game as a true freshman. He's on my list also. Only a sophomore this year with a ton of potential. Great athlete, great hands and very smart.
