Barring injuries (and knowing the KF has pushed for the NCAA to make true freshmen sit), I don't see anybody getting any playing time. This team is unusual for a KF team (IMHO) as I think it has more experience up and down the depth chart than an Iowa team has had for a number of years and I HATE to see redshirts get burned playing special teams. Everyone keeps talking about DE, but from what I saw at the spring game, Maj Anthony Nelson is going to be a big time contributor (and he's put on a bunch of good weight and probably will be even bigger and stronger come August as I have heard he has an above average work ethic) and unless there's injuries, they will just use a 3 man rotation of the Hesse and the Nelsons... And remember, the shelve will be almost entirely bare after this season at DT, so I believe they will be priming Lattimore (weight and strength gain, learning 3 tech technique) big time to step into there and learning the 3 tech, 2 gap technique and leverage, is probably the hardest to learn on the D-line....
R
RobHowe
Guest
I don't think there will be five true freshmen that play but figured that would be a nice round number. Most likely it will be a few guys on special teams. I'd be pretty surprised if we didn't use any true freshmen at all but agree with your premise that it's an unusually veteran roster.
Lattimore would be one of my picks and I think he would be 4th in line at DE. It would be great if the Hawks can win w/ a 3 man rotation at end so I like your thinking on getting him into rotation at DT too. His athleticism could make him a pass lane obstacle on third downs and, teamed up w/ Hesse on the outside, take away half of the field in obvious short passing situations.
The 2016 defense has a lot of potential. Hopefully Parker will expand his schemes a little and let them evolve as the season moves on. If the Hawks really are to get to the next level then what's innovative in week 1 will be predictable down the stretch as we saw in 2015.
Because it is always about execution w/ KF having the new blood learn new things gives them extra time to become proficient at any new wrinkles. I wouldn't feel bad to see some of those red shirts come off when the competition starts to figure things out down the line.
You're saying the same thing that 'they' said about Ekakite when he was coming in, but if they are projecting you as a tackle, that is where they will work you, because it is actually tougher to learn the 1 and 3 tech positions than it is DE and I hate to tell you but Lattimore is not even close to being as athletic as Anthony Nelson and 'pass lane obstacle'? The Nelsons are 6'8 and 6'7, so they 3 to 5 inches taller than Lattimore. You guys kill me, because you always equate color with athleticism. I'm telling you right now, Maj. Anthony Nelson is going to awe you with his size and athleticism and Lattimore will be groomed to play the 3 tech..........but I'm just speculating
not really.......SpecialKHawk
Well-Known Member
How do you know this and what are you basing this on? I'm excited to see both guys play. Just curious with that strong of an opinion.
HawkeyeFan57
Well-Known Member
5 freshman to play this year is not out of line. I would expect to see 1-2 DB's(will need them next year), a LB on special team, 1-2 RB's, at least 1 TE, and maybe a DE or WR. So 5 is not out of the question at all. In regards to DE, wasn't Michael Slater having good reports his freshman year. I would think he might be ahead of the true freshmen.
If Iowa has to play freshmen, it will no be a good year. Historically, this has been the case. Unless there are a rash of injuries (then it will be a 'difficult' year), there is not much of a chance of any freshmen 'playing'. As for Slater, Rob mentioned him with the DE's but he was working at DT last I knew. Rob will have to double check that for us.
Why don't you ask the person who thinks that Lattimore is more atletic than anyone (A. Nelson), why he has such a 'strong' opinion on him and how does he know Lattimore is more athletic. Just sayin. Some fans are funny as they always think the incoming freshmen are better (or more talented) than the kids that are working and developing. Just because a kid didn't play as a freshman or a RSFR, doesn't mean he's not talented and the next cat coming on campus is automatically better or more 'talented' or athletic, but this is how a bunch of 'fans' think......
SpecialKHawk
Well-Known Member
Fair point on asking also about Lattimore. I am excited to see what A Nelson brings as I am Lattimore.
You made a pretty concrete statement as if you knew more than the average fan. Maybe some inside info so I was curious. That's why I asked you but you shared nothing other than more hyperbole which is fine too as it's a message board. I'm assuming then that you are just spewing an uniformed opinion like many of us.
Here's what you said again...
I hate to tell you but Lattimore is not even close to being as athletic as Anthony Nelson
With that strong of a statement (not even close) I thought maybe you have seen both players compete in person in conditioning drills, practices or games although Lattimore is a true freshman just getting to campus so it's not like he's been here very long to draw definite comparisons like you did.
I'm not completely sold on Hesse at DE just yet... Sure he did ok last year at times but he's similar to Meir in that he's just not that big and physical and I can see him getting pushed around against the run. I don't know if any of the freshman DEs coming in will play much but it's fair to say that they'll be given a long hard look at what they can do. I do like that the Nelsons are as long as they are. I think they'll be an upgrade over what Meir brought as far as a pass rush goes. I'm not sure what to think about them against the run either just yet. The best thing Iowa has going for them on the DL is they have 3 DTs with lots of experience that we know will be awesome. It'll help those DEs do their job and LBs. Teams that are strong up the middle can cover up for any deficiencies on the outside. Overall I think this defense will be awesome.
"On the football field, the Hawkeyes are getting a disruptive and athletic defensive end who batted down nearly a dozen passes, collected 21 tackles for loss and registered seven sacks as a senior." Des Moines Register. “He really has an upside, athletic, a little bit of a burst,” Morgan said. So, from what I have heard and what I saw at the spring game (as well as seeing how he got up and down a BB court at 6'7), I am very comfortable in my assessment of his athleticism. Watch tape of Lattimore. He is a 'lumbering' fellow who is better suited for a 3 tech and that is what Iowa recruited him to be. And yes I do have a little inside information about how the Maj. Nelson has been progressing and things he has done, and I have been to practice. Just wait till fall and you'll see what I mean.Go Hawks! Read the part I 'bolded'. I was also making the point that he will much more disruptive in the passing lanes (with his height and athleticism) than Lattimore, because someone said that Lattimore would play as a true freshman because he would be disruptive or something in the passing lanes..... whatever. This is boring me. Just read what I say and then watch the results. I am usually pretty accurate. Have a great day!
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SpecialKHawk
Well-Known Member
To me it's like you are trying to corner the market on A Nelson as a total sleeper which is a stretch. He's going to play and it would be great for us if he becomes an impact player. We need a pass rush, play maker or two.
It's Lattimore that you seem to be indicating is 'lumbering' and maybe not as athletic if I read your comments correctly. You are basing that off of video, I think. He's listed at 6'5" and 240-245 lbs. His video looks pretty good to me and I see a player who lined up inside and out showing some burst and ability to make plays. With that frame you can see how he might play inside for us in time. I thought I saw on one of the videos that it displayed 13 sacks at weeks 5-7 of his senior year. It looks like he can get after a QB. Last he also had a strong offer MSU and MSU does not recruit unathletic and lumbering guys these days.
The greater point I am trying to make is it would be the best scenario if both guys are really good and can make an early impact for us.
trj
Well-Known Member
2 years ago Meier got push around quite bit, last year Meier held his own and did a great job with contain and funneling everything to the inside. It would be nice to have a DE who could bull rush and straight up collapse the pocket. We all know how the Iowa defense works not having a pass rush could be the one bug-a-boo with this defense. Bottom line, I think the DE(s) will hold up against the run, it is the pass rush that i am concerned about.
Actually I think what most people thought when Ekakite came in was that he was a big guy and they hoped Doyle would have an effect on him to increase his explosiveness... Ditto for Johnson. BTW: Morgan has done a great job getting Johnson to channel his attitude into results on the LOS.
I am equating athleticism with athleticism. I think they got Lattimore because he is an athlete plain and simple. Sparty recruited him hard for the same reason. He was a ball hawk on the court in prep school and started @ center so the ball skills are there. Will they move him inside? Probably not but don't discount the notion. Circumstances are hard to predict.
Is D line depth an issue? Probably not and this is a good thing. Seems there was a bit of scope creep in this thread about FRESHMEN who might see the field during the 2016 season. Start a thread on the D-Line depth chart if that's what you want to discuss.
Lattimore will play DT, probably 3 tech. Mark it....
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