Rank Iowa's 9 position groups after Spring Football Practices.

G

Grady

Well-Known Member
Rank Iowa's 9 position groups after spring practice...


Here's how I rank 'em, from strongest to weakest. My ranking relies heavily on proven production, depth, and potential:

1. Tight Ends: two elite TEs, lots of depth, plus highly touted newcomers pressing for playing time. This group provides a great safety net for the unproven QBs.

2. Running Backs: Productive starter Moulton returns, along with Xavier and break-away threat McNeil. Add in a top portal RB, and this room is proven and deep.

3. Defensive Backs: Not as experienced as last season, but Lutmer is a leader and stud, and CBs Lee & Watson have experience. Portal additions getting great reviews.

4. Wide Receivers: Returners VanderZee and Howard provide height on the outside along with experience. Slots Parker and highly touted transfer turning heads, and newcomers gaining confidence. Good hands all around.

5. Offensive Line: A couple proven, NFL ready guys; but also a couple holes to fill.

6. Linebackers: Buffington is a star in the making, but no LB on the team has experience. Will still be better than last year's unit.

7. Special Teams: New FG kicker, new punter, new returners. Expect inconsistency, but they're not on the field often, so if FG accuracy is 75%, minimal damage overall.

8. Defensive Line: Iowa's weakest unit overall. Edge players are unproven; returning tackles were weak when they played last season. Depth all entered the portal.
Expected to be Iowa's weakest run-stopping team in many seasons. Will put lots of pressure on an inexperienced LB corps and the CASH position.

9. QBs: Unproven, inexperienced, and complete unknowns when the bullets fly...and on the field for every offensive snap.

Your turn!
 
RBs

TEs (the #2 is either a guy with almost no experience or someone coming off an Achilles...love the potential, though)

OL

DBs

WRs

LBs

QB

DL

Special teams
 
I think an interesting, related discussion is how each position group will compare to the '25 season:

QB: push (late-season Gronowski was awesome, early season was yeesh)

RB: better

WR: better

TE: better

OL: slight step back, but it sounds like it won't be huge

DL: pretty big step back (especially DT)

LB: I think they will be better

DB: better

ST: way worse
 
Grady said:
Rank Iowa's 9 position groups after spring practice...


7. Special Teams: New FG kicker, new punter, new returners. Expect inconsistency, but they're not on the field often, so if FG accuracy is 75%, minimal damage overall.
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Yes! For the first time in years Special Teams is a big concern. Basicly a complete overhaul at all the important positions and a new sprcial teams coach too. Maybe it will all work out eventually, but certainly not on day one.
 
I'm not letting my hopes get very high for the WR group, I've seen this before. DL and QB are the biggest concerns I see, the other groups are at least solid.
 
CP87 said:
I think an interesting, related discussion is how each position group will compare to the '25 season:

QB: push (late-season Gronowski was awesome, early season was yeesh)

RB: better

WR: better

TE: better

OL: slight step back, but it sounds like it won't be huge

DL: pretty big step back (especially DT)

LB: I think they will be better

DB: better

ST: way worse
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Yeah, this IS interesting to think about. I'd be ok with 5 better, 3 worse, and 1 push.
Even more interesting will be to pull this thread up after the season is over and see what experts or fools we were in our predictions!
 
The WR room will go as far as the QB position takes it. I felt like in years past the QB was hampered by a lack of talent in the WR room. I don't feel that way this year. If the QB can deliver the ball, I believe we have guys that can catch it and make plays.

This season will rise and fall on how quickly the DL develops. The saving grace we have is that we have a lot of rotation guys that sat behind starters, but got minutes, and genetic freak in lose Epp. Traditionally, Iowa's D has suffered when graduating its entire DL. So yes. Nervous about that.
 
The biggest plus for our wide receivers is the difficulty presented by our TE’s. Good luck to opponents covering this battalion. Our first 3 or even 4 WR’s look pretty salty. Let’s go, QB’s.
 
Grady said:
Rank Iowa's 9 position groups after spring practice...


Here's how I rank 'em, from strongest to weakest. My ranking relies heavily on proven production, depth, and potential:

1. Tight Ends: two elite TEs, lots of depth, plus highly touted newcomers pressing for playing time. This group provides a great safety net for the unproven QBs.

2. Running Backs: Productive starter Moulton returns, along with Xavier and break-away threat McNeil. Add in a top portal RB, and this room is proven and deep.

3. Defensive Backs: Not as experienced as last season, but Lutmer is a leader and stud, and CBs Lee & Watson have experience. Portal additions getting great reviews.

4. Wide Receivers: Returners VanderZee and Howard provide height on the outside along with experience. Slots Parker and highly touted transfer turning heads, and newcomers gaining confidence. Good hands all around.

5. Offensive Line: A couple proven, NFL ready guys; but also a couple holes to fill.

6. Linebackers: Buffington is a star in the making, but no LB on the team has experience. Will still be better than last year's unit.

7. Special Teams: New FG kicker, new punter, new returners. Expect inconsistency, but they're not on the field often, so if FG accuracy is 75%, minimal damage overall.

8. Defensive Line: Iowa's weakest unit overall. Edge players are unproven; returning tackles were weak when they played last season. Depth all entered the portal.
Expected to be Iowa's weakest run-stopping team in many seasons. Will put lots of pressure on an inexperienced LB corps and the CASH position.

9. QBs: Unproven, inexperienced, and complete unknowns when the bullets fly...and on the field for every offensive snap.

Your turn!
Click to expand...
Well done. Very good post.
 
Grady said:
Rank Iowa's 9 position groups after spring practice...


Here's how I rank 'em, from strongest to weakest. My ranking relies heavily on proven production, depth, and potential:

1. Tight Ends: two elite TEs, lots of depth, plus highly touted newcomers pressing for playing time. This group provides a great safety net for the unproven QBs.

2. Running Backs: Productive starter Moulton returns, along with Xavier and break-away threat McNeil. Add in a top portal RB, and this room is proven and deep.

3. Defensive Backs: Not as experienced as last season, but Lutmer is a leader and stud, and CBs Lee & Watson have experience. Portal additions getting great reviews.

4. Wide Receivers: Returners VanderZee and Howard provide height on the outside along with experience. Slots Parker and highly touted transfer turning heads, and newcomers gaining confidence. Good hands all around.

5. Offensive Line: A couple proven, NFL ready guys; but also a couple holes to fill.

6. Linebackers: Buffington is a star in the making, but no LB on the team has experience. Will still be better than last year's unit.

7. Special Teams: New FG kicker, new punter, new returners. Expect inconsistency, but they're not on the field often, so if FG accuracy is 75%, minimal damage overall.

8. Defensive Line: Iowa's weakest unit overall. Edge players are unproven; returning tackles were weak when they played last season. Depth all entered the portal.
Expected to be Iowa's weakest run-stopping team in many seasons. Will put lots of pressure on an inexperienced LB corps and the CASH position.

9. QBs: Unproven, inexperienced, and complete unknowns when the bullets fly...and on the field for every offensive snap.

Your turn!
Click to expand...
Looks right to me. I wish QB wasn’t last but at this point I would also put them last. I have very little optimism either will be good. I’m hoping for adequate.
 
longtimer said:
Looks right to me. I wish QB wasn’t last but at this point I would also put them last. I have very little optimism either will be good. I’m hoping for adequate.
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Heck can be really good if KF will let him be himself and if he can reign in his chance taking a bit. Find some middle ground between gunslinger and check down Charlie. Hank Brown looks like a healthy Petras as his ceiling. Maybe a poor man's Stanley. None of this is based on anything but what we hear, of course. Neither has played much anywhere. I will take my chances with the gunslinger. We need playmakers on the field.
 
NorthKCHawk said:
Heck can be really good if KF will let him be himself and if he can reign in his chance taking a bit. Find some middle ground between gunslinger and check down Charlie. Hank Brown looks like a healthy Petras as his ceiling. Maybe a poor man's Stanley. None of this is based on anything but what we hear, of course. Neither has played much anywhere. I will take my chances with the gunslinger. We need playmakers on the field.
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I agree, I'd like to see Heck be the man almost strictly from attitude and guts. We'll have to give him a bit of rope, But the way our schedule is stacked early He'll have to be ready for Iowa state and first few weeks of conference play or we'll be out of contention.
 
BuiltLikeWilt said:
I agree, I'd like to see Heck be the man almost strictly from attitude and guts. We'll have to give him a bit of rope, But the way our schedule is stacked early He'll have to be ready for Iowa state and first few weeks of conference play or we'll be out of contention.
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Fair point. We can't wait for the offense and QB to grow and mature and develop during the season as we did last year. We lost to an inferior team in ISU, and should have beat the national champ if our offense was even close to what it was at the end of the season. KF and Lester gotta come out of the gates firing this year on offense. Yes there will be some turnovers and mistakes, but the offense has got to come together much quicker this year.
 
NorthKCHawk said:
Fair point. We can't wait for the offense and QB to grow and mature and develop during the season as we did last year. We lost to an inferior team in ISU, and should have beat the national champ if our offense was even close to what it was at the end of the season. KF and Lester gotta come out of the gates firing this year on offense. Yes there will be some turnovers and mistakes, but the offense has got to come together much quicker this year.
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Yes...that's another reason why they need to settle on the Oline as soon as possible. None of this rotating guys in and out every other series at the beginning of the season like 2 years ago. Decide on the Oline starters no later than two weeks prior to the first game and let them work as a unit and start to gel.
 
Grady said:
Yes...that's another reason why they need to settle on the Oline as soon as possible. None of this rotating guys in and out every other series at the beginning of the season like 2 years ago. Decide on the Oline starters no later than two weeks prior to the first game and let them work as a unit and start to gel.
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With a new line being cobbled together with some untested pieces, I tend to agree. Reps and unit cohesion should be paramount. That said, I don't have an issue if they have one open position and want to rotate two guys through the first game or so to see who fares better under live fire. Camp reps are critical, but they don't always tell the whole story as to who the gamers are.
 
We are all concerned about the DL, just a major lack of size and experience. But it is worth appreciating that last year's unit was not all that productive. Below are the DL tackle for loss and sack numbers over the past 8 seasons (TFL/Sacks; nothing magical about picking 8 seasons, I just got sick of looking after that much):

2025: 33.5/20
2024: 47/28
2023: 42/24
2022: 65.5/31
2021: 45.5/28
2020 (pro-rated): 60/28
2019: 41.5/27
2018: 53/30.5

So 2025 was pretty bad with regard to DL production. As we replace most of our rotation, does this information make things even worse? Or can we think of it as not having that far to fall and perhaps it is time for a re-set?

If we go with a strength-in-numbers approach and just run out body after body, I wonder if there are some OL buried on the depth chart who could add value?

1778000773650.png
1778000796875.png

Is it time to convert a LB to DE (Weiskopff?)
 
Part of last year's DL struggles could also have been inexperienced and untested talent at LB. Parker did not blitz or pressure as much last season because of that, so there was less pressure.

But, behind QB, DL, and specifically interior DL is by far my biggest concern. Little experience, small even by KF standards, and not a lot of kids with accolades coming through the ranks. I think we will be really good at LB and more athletic at DE, so hopefully that helps the interior DL to develop and have a freer hand.
 
NorthKCHawk said:
Part of last year's DL struggles could also have been inexperienced and untested talent at LB. Parker did not blitz or pressure as much last season because of that, so there was less pressure.

But, behind QB, DL, and specifically interior DL is by far my biggest concern. Little experience, small even by KF standards, and not a lot of kids with accolades coming through the ranks. I think we will be really good at LB and more athletic at DE, so hopefully that helps the interior DL to develop and have a freer hand.
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I think some DEs are going to have to play inside, like Merrieweather and Epenesa. Haweyegamefilm mentioned that neither looked to have a lot of speed off the corner, but both had the ability to bullrush. They might be needed for DL depth, especially with passing downs.
 
CP87 said:
We are all concerned about the DL, just a major lack of size and experience. But it is worth appreciating that last year's unit was not all that productive. Below are the DL tackle for loss and sack numbers over the past 8 seasons (TFL/Sacks; nothing magical about picking 8 seasons, I just got sick of looking after that much):

2025: 33.5/20
2024: 47/28
2023: 42/24
2022: 65.5/31
2021: 45.5/28
2020 (pro-rated): 60/28
2019: 41.5/27
2018: 53/30.5

So 2025 was pretty bad with regard to DL production. As we replace most of our rotation, does this information make things even worse? Or can we think of it as not having that far to fall and perhaps it is time for a re-set?

If we go with a strength-in-numbers approach and just run out body after body, I wonder if there are some OL buried on the depth chart who could add value?

View attachment 12191
View attachment 12192

Is it time to convert a LB to DE (Weiskopff?)
Click to expand...

Wow. A lot of 300+ pounders in the depth chart. Hmm. And, long. And a bunch of frosh and sophs. Is this unusual?
 
CP87 said:
I think some DEs are going to have to play inside, like Merrieweather and Epenesa. Haweyegamefilm mentioned that neither looked to have a lot of speed off the corner, but both had the ability to bullrush. They might be needed for DL depth, especially with passing downs.
Click to expand...
I always thought AJ Eppy was better suited to be a 3-4 DT rather than a 4-3 DE. He was a good combination of speed and power, but not elite at either (at the next level anyway). lose seems even a touch bigger, so maybe he is better off reeking havoc in the middle. I like your idea of developing a couple LBs to play situational DE on passing downs to generate more speed around the edge.
 
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