Looking at Iowa's Remaining Needs, Targets in the '19 Class
- Thread starter RobHowe
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What are the odds Logan Lee ends up taking the Jack Plumb route?
I have seen him listed as big as 6'6", 240lbs (most commonly listed at 6'5", 225lbs). After winning state wrestling as a sophomore at 220lbs, he qualified for state last year at 285 (did not place). His junior year receiving stats are modest (11 rec for 155 yds and 3 TDs), though he did win TE/WR MVP honors at a Rivals spring camp in Chicago. He is mentioned as a consummate worker and team guy, as well as a mauling blocker. Below is a quote from his HS coach from the afore linked article:
"He is an Iowa tight end, through and through," Filler said. "He is a run-blocker. He’ll make plays in the passing game for us. He’ll do well at the next level doing the same thing. People ask me all the time, 'Well don't you think he could play defensive end? Don't you think he could be better at defensive end?'
"I don't think so, at the next level, just because of all the spread offenses and all the people playing in space. His big thing is his physicality, and he can line up at tight end and he can crush people. And I know that’s what Coach (Kirk) Ferentz wants him to do."
If he doesn't end up at OT, I look forward to him developing into a 265lb TE who just destroys people in the run game while keeping them honest in the pass game. If that is his destiny, it seems like Iowa could still really use a Fant/Beyer type "move" TE in this class, as you alluded to in your article."I don't think so, at the next level, just because of all the spread offenses and all the people playing in space. His big thing is his physicality, and he can line up at tight end and he can crush people. And I know that’s what Coach (Kirk) Ferentz wants him to do."
deanvogs
Well-Known Member
Logan Lee won best receiver MVP at the rivals camp in Chicago I believe it was. That included all TE and WR. I don't know if you want to take him out of the TE position if he is that good at getting open and catching the ball.
Logan Lee, who bested all at his position and all of the wide receivers, to earn the receiver MVP award. He is only the third tight end to win the award over the course of 12 Rivals 3 Stripe Camps.
Adam
Well-Known Member
I certainly agree that it would be a shame to lose him as a TE, but these things usually boil down to the kids body. If his body blows up then TE might simply not be an option.
MoseSchrute
Well-Known Member
Nice.
Agree. He has Velcro hands and great speed for his size. I think we have enough talent in the pipeline at OT to keep him out at TE. He would add more value there in my opinion.
#1DieHardHawk
Well-Known Member
In the past, I think the Iowa staff had a tendency to back off on higher profile targets later in cycles, kind of giving up and being a bit impatient. With recruiting seemingly picking up recently, I'd like to see them take a more aggressive strategy and redouble their efforts.
With several positions pretty much set (assuming Goodson is a silent commit), a handful of targets should be receiving extra attention:
David Bell (sleepovers???)
Nick Henrich
Chris Hickman
Mosai Newsom
Enoch Jackson
We may not end up with any of them, but you never know. The extra attention could pay off.
Another target to consider is Chester Graves. I really liked his explosiveness off the edge coming out of HS, and he ended up at Iowa Western. I have a gut feeling, though, that academics would be a real struggle for him based off some stuff I heard (hearsay) last year.
On a side note, Breece Hall committed to ISU in the last couple of days.
With several positions pretty much set (assuming Goodson is a silent commit), a handful of targets should be receiving extra attention:
David Bell (sleepovers???)
Nick Henrich
Chris Hickman
Mosai Newsom
Enoch Jackson
We may not end up with any of them, but you never know. The extra attention could pay off.
Another target to consider is Chester Graves. I really liked his explosiveness off the edge coming out of HS, and he ended up at Iowa Western. I have a gut feeling, though, that academics would be a real struggle for him based off some stuff I heard (hearsay) last year.
On a side note, Breece Hall committed to ISU in the last couple of days.
hawkeyebob62
Well-Known Member
I'd be okay if we provided girls for "sleepovers". Coaches doing them is just too creepy...er, no sleepover! No sleepovers!
I like that priority list. David Bell is their biggest need, but if you added Heinrich to what they already have in this class, we might be looking at the next great LB trio.
We are about to lose Fant after this year right? TJ should be around a couple more years assuming he doesn't go pro too early as well. It's time to restock the TE spot. Now that Coons has left the position is down a body so I for one hope Lee can get up to about 255ish and just becomes a badass do it all TE. Keep the TE U train rolling
Adam
Well-Known Member
That train won't ever stop. Iowa is a TE factory.
Keeping a talent like Lee at TE and not moving him to Oline should help do that too
Adam
Well-Known Member
Keeping a talent like Lee at TE and not moving him to Oline should help do that too
I don't think anyone wants to move him, but if he packs on weight it might not be a choice.
Side note. Athletic OT's are worth their weight in gold as well.
No doubt about OTs. I'm hoping Plumb can be one of those. Might be down the road a little ways for him as he has a lot of weight to put on to do it.
I'm still surprised that Iowa is relying on getting under the radar kids at both Oline and TE to the extent we do. I would think our coaches could walk into just about any TE or Oline recruits house and have as solid of a pitch as their is. Quietly I would add DBs to that list as well. Even prior to King we've been putting DBs in the league left and right. The last couple of classes I think we've been shown some fruits of that but we haven't been getting many 4-5 star lineman talent. I wonder if some of that is just by design to an extent...
#1DieHardHawk
Well-Known Member
The difficulties we've had recruiting along the o-line are perplexing to say the least, and, it has been an issue for several years. I will say that the level of recruiting along the line has picked up recently, but, for the longest time, it seemed like an inordinate number of times we had to rely on walk-ons and/or converted TEs. It makes you wonder if the staff almost prefers to find guys that need a lot of development, as opposed to targeting guys with some ready-made size and athleticism.
I've always felt that we should be much more aggressive with the offensive line and TEs in terms of nationwide recruiting and marketing our brand (and, now we can add DBs to the mix). It's always a gamble in terms of time and resources to expand your recruiting base, but, particularly at those positions, the gamble may be worth it.
For sure it feels that way at times. I guess they figure for the most part kids are 2 or 3 yrs away from being 'ready' to play. Be it the mental side or physical. Then you factor in the depth chart and it's usually tough to put a freshman out there. What happened last yr with us putting a RS and true freshman out there at our tackle spots had to be a first. I'd be shocked if that'd ever happened before. We much prefer putting a redshirt soph out there for their first meaningful reps it seems like.
Polasek had an interview on HawkCentral this past week. They asked him if he could see any of the incoming freshman contributing on the OL this year. He basically said, "No, they will all need a RS," while leaving the door open with a comment about everyone needing to prepare like they are going to play. However, he made a comment that makes me think NEXT year we will have some ready-built OL coming in who can contribute right away.
I listened to this last night and caught a couple little tid bits to be interesting as well.
I think he is up to full speed now and has a much better grasp on what needs to be done and how to go about it. I think he is just more comfortable.
He is good in front of cameras and mics, but last year I kind of got the feeling he felt a little overwhelmed at times.
As for freshman playing, I think the new rule helps. IF you don't have to put on weight and build muscle, it's a great tool. I would even think about using the last of the 4 game rule to put them in for just a few plays against some really stiff competition. Just to get film and to use it as a spring board type motivation.
