I do not think so. He'll like be two classes behind him. If so, I am still fine with it, we need someone that can consistently put the ball in the endzone!
Recruit #5 in the bag
- Thread starter iahawk20
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I do not think so. He'll like be two classes behind him. If so, I am still fine with it, we need someone that can consistently put the ball in the endzone!
tgraham907
Well-Known Member
I got to say this commit was kind of a let down. From Jeleel Johnson to a punter. But after the initial disappointment I remember how important special teams is and what kind of factor Donohue made. Good pick up Hawks....but next time make it Jaleel.
They will be a couple classes apart, but you just don't commit two scholarships to punters that overlap. Particularly when you are Iowa and should be able to get walk-on punters and have kickers pull double duty if necessary.
Now KF has done things his own way, but this would really be goig against common practice.
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JonDMiller
Publisher/Founder
Mike Meyer is as great story, out of nowhere. Daniel Murray was a walk on, too, from in town.
But before them, Iowa has had a string of scholarship kickers for the past decade. Who was the last walk on punter that owned the job? It's been a while...Donahue, David Bradley, Jason Baker were all schollie guys...perhaps Fenstermaker in there somewhere was a walk on
Walk on specialists were more common in the past...but that trend, at least from an Iowa perspective, is now the anomaly and not the norm.
Hawkfromnorwalk
Well-Known Member
This is one of those commits that leaves me feeling empty inside. I'm glad for the kid and glad we picked up what appears to be an excellent kicking specialist but on the other hand when I saw we picked up #5 I was hoping for somebody like Shoff or Johnson.
JonDMiller
Publisher/Founder
What if this kid turns out to have a career like Ryan Donahue? I dont think I wold feel empty inside. He is one of the biggest spots to replace on this team and it's going to be a net minus this year as it relates to performance...that will put more pressure on a defense that is retooling.
Given Iowa's makeup under Ferentz, a conservative offense and a defense that is called upon quite a bit, a good punter is a must.
Ok, I am not sayin we have a crappy O. History has shown we tend to get into some tight ones. With that said, here is what I said the other day in the Iowa vs Nebraska thread.
"#3 And this is bigger than most people realize. When you have a crappy O but run a good D, your objective is to have low scoring games (like many of Nebraska's were last year). In almost all low scoring games the kicking game plays a HUGE role in winning those games. Last year they had Henry who could quite possibly be the best college kicker many of us will see in our lifetimes. Now he is gone."
So I have no problem with trying to get some very good talent at kicker position.
"#3 And this is bigger than most people realize. When you have a crappy O but run a good D, your objective is to have low scoring games (like many of Nebraska's were last year). In almost all low scoring games the kicking game plays a HUGE role in winning those games. Last year they had Henry who could quite possibly be the best college kicker many of us will see in our lifetimes. Now he is gone."
So I have no problem with trying to get some very good talent at kicker position.
A good defense, ball control, and field position are the key DNA elements of Ferentz. This philosophy normally keeps us in most games with a chance to win. It also makes a good field goal kicker a key weapon.
Plug this in with a good special teams unit that can capitalize on opponent's mistakes and you have Hawkeye football under Ferentz. This is how you best put together a good program without having the luxury of being able to recruit numbers of elite players every year like some programs.
Sounds like a good pick up to me.
Plug this in with a good special teams unit that can capitalize on opponent's mistakes and you have Hawkeye football under Ferentz. This is how you best put together a good program without having the luxury of being able to recruit numbers of elite players every year like some programs.
Sounds like a good pick up to me.
I agree. Getting a punter, may not be a 'glamour" recruit, but having a great punter is HUGE. I like this commitment a lot. I love the fact that KF puts such an emphasis on special teams.
HawkeyeShane
Well-Known Member
Let's see how many people feel let down if this kid wins a game or 2 with his leg...
Disappointed? Let down? Those statements boggle my mind. I was pumped when I saw we got a highly rated kicking specialist. The impact of players like Kaeding and Donahue is huge when you play Iowa's brand of football. Missed field goals and bad field position from special teams play can has and will lose games for Iowa. It's an extremely important position on any team but even more so at Iowa and I'm glad to see the coaches are after the best in the country.
Hawkfromnorwalk
Well-Known Member
I'm definitely not trying to say getting a punter isn't important, because it is. It's like going to the store. Picking up the brand new TV is awesome and looks good but the toilet paper in the cart is even more important, you just never get excited about Angel Soft.
very well said!
Mac50702
Well-Known Member
Next time get cottonelle.
HawkinGoferLand
Well-Known Member
I thought it was pretty cool we got a commit from a top punter in the county. Field position and ball control are 2 big cornerstone's of successful KF teams.
Also, having a great FG kicker and punter, when you consider how many 1 score games we are in, is huge! It's been 4 yrs since we've lost by more than 7, and we've won our share of 1 score games.
Also, having a great FG kicker and punter, when you consider how many 1 score games we are in, is huge! It's been 4 yrs since we've lost by more than 7, and we've won our share of 1 score games.
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Winner winner, chicken dinner!!!!!
