So Uh...Why Do We Have All of Our LB Eggs in One JUCO's Basket

[#1DieHardHawk]

The NFL trend has been to spend money on the defensive backfield and DL/edge-rushers, and to fill in with what you can get for LB. I wonder if Iowa is taking a similar tack with recruiting resources? They really seem to be killing it with the DBs and DL lately.

Agree regarding the DBs, but I'm still not sold that we are "killing it" with the defensive line, especially at end.

This program has struggled recruiting defensive ends for years. Clayborn and Roth were solid, but we really haven't had what most would consider a bonafide quick-twitch edge rusher since Leroy Smith. We have the bodies, but how many are going to scare opposing offensive coordinators? Anthony Nelson? Maybe a little. Hesse? No. Brincks? Definitely not. After that are several that have shown next to nothing thus far: Simon, Golston, McKnight, etc. Iowa fans will see a couple tomorrow, but unfortunately they play for the opponent.

Epenesa was a great addition, but, as a legacy (and very invested one at that), one would be hard pressed to label his signing a giant recruiting success. No doubt, some pavement pounding was necessary, but we were in a great position from the get-go. Waggoner was a recruiting success, but he doesn't appear to be that explosive edge guy either, more of an Aaron Kampman type.

At tackle, we've done a little better, but a lot of it is potential at this point. Nixon is a classic "boom or bust" type, and Lattimore has a long ways to go in terms of his performance results. Reiff is a battler, but needs another good off-season with Doyle. Linderbaum and Shannon look like solid additions.

None of that is meant as a complaint, I just don't objectively see all the hoopla that some have about the defensive line, including Phil Parker.

 

[pootspot]

Agree regarding the DBs, but I'm still not sold that we are "killing it" with the defensive line, especially at end.

This program has struggled recruiting defensive ends for years. Clayborn and Roth were solid, but we really haven't had what most would consider a bonafide quick-twitch edge rusher since Leroy Smith. We have the bodies, but how many are going to scare opposing offensive coordinators? Anthony Nelson? Maybe a little. Hesse? No. Brincks? Definitely not. After that are several that have shown next to nothing thus far: Simon, Golston, McKnight, etc. Iowa fans will see a couple tomorrow, but unfortunately they play for the opponent.

Epenesa was a great addition, but, as a legacy (and very invested one at that), one would be hard pressed to label his signing a giant recruiting success. No doubt, some pavement pounding was necessary, but we were in a great position from the get-go. Waggoner was a recruiting success, but he doesn't appear to be that explosive edge guy either, more of an Aaron Kampman type.

At tackle, we've done a little better, but a lot of it is potential at this point. Nixon is a classic "boom or bust" type, and Lattimore has a long ways to go in terms of his performance results. Reiff is a battler, but needs another good off-season with Doyle. Linderbaum and Shannon look like solid additions.

None of that is meant as a complaint, I just don't objectively see all the hoopla that some have about the defensive line, including Phil Parker.

That D-Line next year will eat up bodies and Nelson/AJE coming off the edges gonna be nasty. I see a ton of growth and Nixon/Lattimore will be killing people inside.
Both r our opinions but I feel mines correct

 

[#1DieHardHawk]

That D-Line next year will eat up bodies and Nelson/AJE coming off the edges gonna be nasty. I see a ton of growth and Nixon/Lattimore will be killing people inside.
Both r our opinions but I feel mines correct

There's a difference between a prediction and an opinion. My prediction is that they will be better too, but how much remains to be seen. My opinion is that we can do better as a program recruiting at defensive end.

The 4-3 cover four defense that we run is reliant on pressure from the front four. How many games during the season did the opposing QB have all day to throw? Go back and watch the Purdue and ISU games for examples, or PSU or NW last season. We can't always rely upon our tackles, such as JJ, Daniels and King to pressure the QB, and, we aren't built for a big dose of blitzes. The staff needs to do a better job recruiting at DE. Players such as Hardy, Alvis, Matt Nelson, Brincks, etc., are not going to get it done.

Regardless, I hope you're right with your prediction about our D-line. This defense is fun to watch when our line terrorizes people.

 

[CP87]

There's a difference between a prediction and an opinion. My prediction is that they will be better too, but how much remains to be seen. My opinion is that we can do better as a program recruiting at defensive end.

The 4-3 cover four defense that we run is reliant on pressure from the front four. How many games during the season did the opposing QB have all day to throw? Go back and watch the Purdue and ISU games for examples, or PSU or NW last season. We can't always rely upon our tackles, such as JJ, Daniels and King to pressure the QB, and, we aren't built for a big dose of blitzes. The staff needs to do a better job recruiting at DE. Players such as Hardy, Alvis, Matt Nelson, Brincks, etc., are not going to get it done.

Regardless, I hope you're right with your prediction about our D-line. This defense is fun to watch when our line terrorizes people.

I agree with you that a true pass-rush DE has been missing for a long time. I think AJE will be that, and Anthony Nelson was among B1G leaders in pressure per snap this season. I am intrigued by what some were saying about Golston and Simon from last spring through fall camp; but then again, neither made it onto the field this year. Waggoner brings some potential, we will see what becomes of it.

I think the guy we have had in uniform in the last decade with the best chance of becoming a marquee pass-rusher was Reggie Spearman. He did not seem receptive to that idea, and we saw how that ended up.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

I think Honus is as good of a Juco LB there is right now and we weren't the only ones begging him to come. That said the cupboard isn't bare at LB for us. We just have guys that haven't played much. Surely the heck it won't be as bad of a corp that we had with Q Alston at MLB that one year... He was the worst starting MLB I think KF has had. I hate to rail on a kid but if someone has a different name feel free to throw it out there. I think our Dline is going to be so dominant that our LBs should be able to flow to the ball and will make their jobs easier. Coaches can coach up kids to know the schemes/responsibilities on any given play/scenario. but them having the instincts to take that first quick step and then make the play when getting there are pretty much up to the kid

 

[#1DieHardHawk]

I agree with you that a true pass-rush DE has been missing for a long time. I think AJE will be that, and Anthony Nelson was among B1G leaders in pressure per snap this season. I am intrigued by what some were saying about Golston and Simon from last spring through fall camp; but then again, neither made it onto the field this year. Waggoner brings some potential, we will see what becomes of it.

I think the guy we have had in uniform in the last decade with the best chance of becoming a marquee pass-rusher was Reggie Spearman. He did not seem receptive to that idea, and we saw how that ended up.

Hard to say with Spearman. He was a pretty good athlete, but was a bit of a head case.

The sky's the limit for Epenesa, but, as a program, we can't really hang our hat onto him since he basically fell into our lap. Nevertheless, I'm glad we have him.

A. Nelson flashes, but he has a tendency to disappear, especially against the better competition. The jury's still out with him, IMO. Waggoner doesn't strike me as a quick-twitch, explosive player, but we'll see. Simon and Golston are kind of like Melvin Spears: those intriguing hovering roster names who never seem to show up on the field.

For whatever reason, we just struggle to find/secure explosive edge players. Landry, who's out for the bowl, is the kind of guy that I've been pleading for us to pursue. He was a 3-star recruit, so they are out there for the taking. It's a frustrating head scratcher (kind of like the WR position).

 

[BVHawk95]

Hard to say with Spearman. He was a pretty good athlete, but was a bit of a head case.

The sky's the limit for Epenesa, but, as a program, we can't really hang our hat onto him since he basically fell into our lap. Nevertheless, I'm glad we have him.

A. Nelson flashes, but he has a tendency to disappear, especially against the better competition. The jury's still out with him, IMO. Waggoner doesn't strike me as a quick-twitch, explosive player, but we'll see. Simon and Golston are kind of like Melvin Spears: those intriguing hovering roster names who never seem to show up on the field.

For whatever reason, we just struggle to find/secure explosive edge players. Landry, who's out for the bowl, is the kind of guy that I've been pleading for us to pursue. He was a 3-star recruit, so they are out there for the taking. It's a frustrating head scratcher (kind of like the WR position).

What I like about Golston is he seems to be using his time in the weight room very well. We've had brief glimpses of him this season, and I don't know if there is a bad ounce on that 255lb frame of his. That dude is cut. Couple that with the coaches naming him as someone who's been standing out in practice, and I can't wait to see some real reps out of him.

You're right regarding A. Nelson, but I believe PFF grades him out as one of the best pass rushers in the Big Ten this season. Doing that as just a SO is a great sign. Plus, he would have had 2 more sacks this year had the refs at Nebby not decided to be merciful.

 

[CP87]

Hard to say with Spearman. He was a pretty good athlete, but was a bit of a head case.

The sky's the limit for Epenesa, but, as a program, we can't really hang our hat onto him since he basically fell into our lap. Nevertheless, I'm glad we have him.

A. Nelson flashes, but he has a tendency to disappear, especially against the better competition. The jury's still out with him, IMO. Waggoner doesn't strike me as a quick-twitch, explosive player, but we'll see. Simon and Golston are kind of like Melvin Spears: those intriguing hovering roster names who never seem to show up on the field.

For whatever reason, we just struggle to find/secure explosive edge players. Landry, who's out for the bowl, is the kind of guy that I've been pleading for us to pursue. He was a 3-star recruit, so they are out there for the taking. It's a frustrating head scratcher (kind of like the WR position).

On the bright side, Golston and Simon (and McKnight) are only redshirt freshmen. I think it is notable that Parker went out of his way in his presser to state that they want a 10-12 man DL rotation. I think these guys will definitely see the field next year. Simon is kind of built like Mike Daniels at that stage in his career, I could see him inside in pass-rushing situations.

 

[#1DieHardHawk]

What I like about Golston is he seems to be using his time in the weight room very well. We've had brief glimpses of him this season, and I don't know if there is a bad ounce on that 255lb frame of his. That dude is cut. Couple that with the coaches naming him as someone who's been standing out in practice, and I can't wait to see some real reps out of him.

You're right regarding A. Nelson, but I believe PFF grades him out as one of the best pass rushers in the Big Ten this season. Doing that as just a SO is a great sign. Plus, he would have had 2 more sacks this year had the refs at Nebby not decided to be merciful.

On the bright side, Golston and Simon (and McKnight) are only redshirt freshmen. I think it is notable that Parker went out of his way in his presser to state that they want a 10-12 man DL rotation. I think these guys will definitely see the field next year. Simon is kind of built like Mike Daniels at that stage in his career, I could see him inside in pass-rushing situations.

I'd love nothing more than seeing Simon, Golston or McKnight end up as impact players. Time will tell.

 

[David79]

Are posts like this a joke? You believe the coaches had good foresight recruiting when three starting LBs graduate because they allowed some JUCO LBs that no one else wanted to walk on? That's how you plug a hole? That's simply bad planning. A blunder big enough to get a corporate executive fired.

Rather than bringing in recruits ready to plug the hole, it sounds like we stole an 18 yr old LB from South Dakota who had no other D1 offers. I'm sure he'll be able to come in next year and fill in for the graduating seniors right away.

For those who point to the super rare 2 star kids like Josey Jewell who defy all odds to justify recruiting misses, here are Iowa's other 2 star commits who are scheduled to be seniors next year...

**Eric Graham
**Nick Wilson
**Garret Janson
**Michael Ojemudia
**Adrian Falconer
**Justin Jinning
**Brady Reiff

But sure, praise every two star we get as the next Josey Jewell...not the next Adrian Falconer.

Good god you are dumb.

 

[CP87]

I'd love nothing more than seeing Simon, Golston or McKnight end up as impact players. Time will tell.

Golston got in there on a sack that last drive.

 

[BVHawk95]

Golston got in there on a sack that last drive.

Hopefully the first of many. It'd be neat for him and Lattimore to take that next step, two HS teammates tearing it up together in college.

 

[IowaLawWasRight]

All I know is, we have a GAPING hole at LB next year and the only ones at fault for this are the coaching staff who either didn't see it coming or were incapable of convincing a high caliber LB to come to Iowa and be the next Josey Jewell...which you would think would be a pretty easy sell given our 4-3 defense.

 

[David79]

All I know is, we have a GAPING hole at LB next year and the only ones at fault for this are the coaching staff who either didn't see it coming or were incapable of convincing a high caliber LB to come to Iowa and be the next Josey Jewell...which you would think would be a pretty easy sell given our 4-3 defense.

Derp.

 

[peerok]

All I know is, we have a GAPING hole at LB next year and the only ones at fault for this are the coaching staff who either didn't see it coming or were incapable of convincing a high caliber LB to come to Iowa and be the next Josey Jewell...which you would think would be a pretty easy sell given our 4-3 defense.

Eddie P mentioned several times this past year that some of our young linebackers have been looking real good in practice, but they haven't gotten much chance to play because how do sit guys like Jewell an Nieman?

Eddie usually tells it like it is and doesn't sugarcoat things. I'll put more stock in his opinion than IowaLaw's.

 

[Robowe]

 

[pootspot]

I find myself liking these late “finds” every year. The staff really finds some great players. I think this is one of those things KF excels at as well as the recruiting staff finding them.

 

[thefizz]

There will be an obvious drop off at LB next year, but that's the nature of the beast at Iowa when you lose one of the top LB's in program history and another solid multi year starter in Niemann. With that said, I think Iowa will be fine at LB. The staff went after probably went after Honas because he is a really good player, not because they feel like the cupboard is bare at the LB position. The coaches have also hinted that they'll be looking at using a hybrid type of player at one of the LB positions in the future and the guy that could make that leap would be Hooker. Since the staff has mentioned they really like Geno Stone, moving Hooker into a hybrid LB spot would make sense. Therefore, Iowa wouldn't doesn't need to find 3 traditional full time starters at LB.

 

[HawkeyeWalker]

All I know is, we have a GAPING hole at LB next year and the only ones at fault for this are the coaching staff who either didn't see it coming or were incapable of convincing a high caliber LB to come to Iowa and be the next Josey Jewell...which you would think would be a pretty easy sell given our 4-3 defense.

You don't know this. We will take a step back because we lose a AA beast in JJ, a very versatile and athletic Nieman, and an extremely underappreciated experienced LB in Bower.

Depth will take a hit anytime you lose the experience of 100+ starts at a position.

You're still fun.

 

[IowaLawWasRight]

It looks like Kirk went the other way when it came to foreseeing a hole at LB and proactively addressing it. He went ahead and brought in 5 (yes 5!) walk-on LBs to compliment a few scholarship LBs who weren't offered by any other D1 schools. Those guys should all be able to come in right away and plug the hole left by graduation this year.