Spring Ball Storylines

[NikeHawk21]

What are you most looking forward to seeing from Spring Ball 2019?

Here’s a couple things for me.

-Where will Mark Kallenberger be getting reps? With two established tackles in front of him I’d like to see him slide into a guard spot.

-How does the secondary shake out, specifically OJ? Personally I’d love to see OJ make the switch to Safety. He’s a long rangy athlete who’s a good tackler, but isn’t the greatest cover guy, to me that spells safety. I think Hankins, Brents, and DJ Johnson is a great CB group.

-Does Tyrone Tracy appear ready to emerge at WR?

-This will be are first look at the new TE group, how do they look?

How do the early enrollee freshman Jacobs, Miller, and Padilla specifically, look against college level players?

-If we stick with it, who gets reps at the Cash or Star position? OJ, DJ Johnson, Merriweather, Jacobs?

Those are just a few. What else you got?

 

[PlatypusMessiah]

— These running backs. Will one of them separate themselves? With the addition of Goodson, it’s even feasible for the RB that finishes last to contemplate transferring.

— the race for the #2 QB is on. I’ll be shocked if the 3rd string QB will want to stay.

—What is the Daveyon Nixon story? If he is staying, how good does he look.

—what kind of strides are the LBs making. There is a hole at MLB that needs filled. Will the core improve eonough to make KF want to go back to more 4-3.

 

[NikeHawk21]

— These running backs. Will one of them separate themselves? With the addition of Goodson, it’s even feasible for the RB that finishes last to contemplate transferring.

— the race for the #2 QB is on. I’ll be shocked if the 3rd string QB will want to stay.

—What is the Daveyon Nixon story? If he is staying, how good does he look.

—what kind of strides are the LBs making. There is a hole at MLB that needs filled. Will the core improve eonough to make KF want to go back to more 4-3.

-Goodson didn’t enroll early so he won’t be practicing until the summer. I’ll definitely be keeping my eye on the RB situation.

-I think Mansell and Petras already did the QB battle for the #2 spot but maybe it’s still open.

-Nixon is a good one. Sounds like he won’t be with the team until he gets whatever he needs to get figure out figured out. If we get him back with the team in the spring that’d be great. Not sure what the chances of that are.

 

[BVHawk95]

The #2 QB spot is interesting to me as well. While I like Mansell, he's a holdover from Davis' philosophy, while Petras likely fits BF's and KOK's philosophy much better, being a big, strong-armed pocket QB.

Interior OL is my key group. Render and Reynolds were solid, but as a whole this group was our weakness on the OL last year. Would like to see Kallenberger as the next Iowa OL to make the jump from LG to LT whenever Jackson leaves. Jeff Jenkins and Tyler Linderbaum should be names to watch as well. They wouldn't have moved the latter to C if they didn't think he'd make an impact right away. Also want to see if they shuffle Banwart around as the only returning interior starter. Other names would be the Paulsens, though it may be too late for them.

Second group DL. Starters are pretty darn good. After that? Who the heck knows. Want to see good stuff from Noah Shannon, and obviously Nixon if he does stay. How is Waggoner looking, and who else can shore up the massive drop off at DE?

Specific names, I'd like to see how Seth Benson and Dillon Doyle are doing. Both of them did good things in their redshirt year. Does Riley Moss move to safety? I know the board likes to use him as a punching bag, but he does have potential, otherwise he would not have played. How is Calvin Lockett looking? Rob said he'd remind us of ISM, plus the benefit of having a redshirt year. Nico Ragaini is another name to watch at WR as well. Also, does Max Cooper bounce back from injury? He has legit speed.

 

[NikeHawk21]

The #2 QB spot is interesting to me as well. While I like Mansell, he's a holdover from Davis' philosophy, while Petras likely fits BF's and KOK's philosophy much better, being a big, strong-armed pocket QB.

Interior OL is my key group. Render and Reynolds were solid, but as a whole this group was our weakness on the OL last year. Would like to see Kallenberger as the next Iowa OL to make the jump from LG to LT whenever Jackson leaves. Jeff Jenkins and Tyler Linderbaum should be names to watch as well. They wouldn't have moved the latter to C if they didn't think he'd make an impact right away. Also want to see if they shuffle Banwart around as the only returning interior starter. Other names would be the Paulsens, though it may be too late for them.

Second group DL. Starters are pretty darn good. After that? Who the heck knows. Want to see good stuff from Noah Shannon, and obviously Nixon if he does stay. How is Waggoner looking, and who else can shore up the massive drop off at DE?

Specific names, I'd like to see how Seth Benson and Dillon Doyle are doing. Both of them did good things in their redshirt year. Does Riley Moss move to safety? I know the board likes to use him as a punching bag, but he does have potential, otherwise he would not have played. How is Calvin Lockett looking? Rob said he'd remind us of ISM, plus the benefit of having a redshirt year. Nico Ragaini is another name to watch at WR as well. Also, does Max Cooper bounce back from injury? He has legit speed.

One note on the second group Dline. We did add a transfer this weekend who should be in the two deeps and supposedly can play both DE and DT. Not sure if he will be around for spring ball or not. I agree it would be nice if Shannon and Waggoner are ready.

 

[guffus]

I can't explain why, but I am interested in the Amani Jones redemption story.

The coaches saw something in him last year to make him the starting MLB. The athletic talent must be there. Just needs to show he has the head for the game. I am rooting for him.

Also I feel like Ojemudia has had an up an down career, it would be intersting if he can step it up in 2019.

Finally, its put up or sit down time for Brandon Smith. The coaches have been patient. It's time to take it to next level.

 

[BVHawk95]

One note on the second group Dline. We did add a transfer this weekend who should be in the two deeps and supposedly can play both DE and DT. Not sure if he will be around for spring ball or not. I agree it would be nice if Shannon and Waggoner are ready.

I assumed he wouldn't be here for spring ball, otherwise I agree.

 

[hawkdrummer1]

Finally, its put up or sit down time for Brandon Smith. The coaches have been patient. It's time to take it to next level.

What? Smith played very well last year. He can't control the number of targets he does or doesn't get. Our offense was tight end heavy.

On a related note, if Tracy is ready at WR we may start to see a little more attack in the passing game.

 

[NikeHawk21]

What? Smith played very well last year. He can't control the number of targets he does or doesn't get. Our offense was tight end heavy.

On a related note, if Tracy is ready at WR we may start to see a little more attack in the passing game.

I’m with you. It seemed like when the ball was thrown his way he was pretty productive. Iowa’s passing offense was basically TEs or bubbles to Easley.

Been pretty amusing where all this hype came for Brandon Smith. He has some measurables but he was far from a highly sought after recruit. His only other P5 offer was Vandy. He was starting last year as a true sophomore and had some moments, I would expect him to continue to improve next year, but some people act like he was some big time prospect who has underperformed, which I think is very unfair.

 

[uihawk82]

I can't explain why, but I am interested in the Amani Jones redemption story.

The coaches saw something in him last year to make him the starting MLB. The athletic talent must be there. Just needs to show he has the head for the game. I am rooting for him.

Also I feel like Ojemudia has had an up an down career, it would be intersting if he can step it up in 2019.

Finally, its put up or sit down time for Brandon Smith. The coaches have been patient. It's time to take it to next level.

He took a big step up last year and made some really tough catches. I wish he had some more speed because they dont seem to use him deep very often. But he seemed to be making about 2.4 catches per game and making some good grabs for first downs.

But with the 3 receivers we lose Smith will need to make 4-5 catches a game and for 5-6 TDs on the year.

 

[HawkleberryFinn]

I'm interested to see how Trey Winters pans out. His dad was a beast on the b-ball court. Maybe Trey can be a beast on the gridiron.

 

[hawkdrummer1]

[QUOTE="NikeHawk21, post: 1815497, member: 80935"]I’m with you. It seemed like when the ball was thrown his way he was pretty productive.

BSmith made some great impressive catches...many in big situations.

Been pretty amusing where all this hype came for Brandon Smith. He has some measurables but he was far from a highly sought after recruit. His only other P5 offer was Vandy. He was starting last year as a true sophomore and had some moments, I would expect him to continue to improve next year, but some people act like he was some big time prospect who has underperformed, which I think is very unfair.[/QUOTE]

Yep, he was kind of a diamond in the rough. The hype shows you how desperate we've been for WR buzz. (That's not a knock on Brandon...more on the WR limitations under KFz)

 

[Knight78]

I’m with you. It seemed like when the ball was thrown his way he was pretty productive. Iowa’s passing offense was basically TEs or bubbles to Easley.

Been pretty amusing where all this hype came for Brandon Smith. He has some measurables but he was far from a highly sought after recruit. His only other P5 offer was Vandy. He was starting last year as a true sophomore and had some moments, I would expect him to continue to improve next year, but some people act like he was some big time prospect who has underperformed, which I think is very unfair.

He had one of the most athletic catches of the season against Minnesota; maybe one of the most athletic catches we've seen in several seasons.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

I can't explain why, but I am interested in the Amani Jones redemption story.

The coaches saw something in him last year to make him the starting MLB. The athletic talent must be there. Just needs to show he has the head for the game. I am rooting for him.

Also I feel like Ojemudia has had an up an down career, it would be intersting if he can step it up in 2019.

Finally, its put up or sit down time for Brandon Smith. The coaches have been patient. It's time to take it to next level.

He's played pretty well when targeted I'd say.. When your not a big part of the game plan and have a limited amount of opportunities it's tough to stand out. People thought Taevon Smith under performed for us too but the guy just wasn't used or targeted enough. It's the way Iowa uses their wideouts. We prioritize throwing to TEs and our slot WRs more because it's easier to scheme them open. Plus our RBs we seem to use them in the passing game more than WRs too. Like Easley I hardly consider a WR in the traditional sense of it. So I'm not going to say Brandon Smith has any more pressure to 'step up' then any other WR. Don't get me wrong I'd love to see him do more. But that's on the play caller and QB more than him I think...

 

[4thngoal]

Cohesive football. That's the story line I want to hear.
Every position has holes to fill, things to improve on, people that need to step up.
We proved this group can beat anyone and lose to anyone. With the meat of the schedule being on the road, we need everyone pulling as hard as they can in the same direction (that started yesterday).
We need fundamentally sound and cohesive football executed.
We have some pretty good athletes, now can we make them a team?

 

[Lumberman]

I would like to see Tracey become the Julian Edelman of this offense.

Agreed with all of the comments about LB corps. Rooting for all of these guys, especially Amani, but there is only so many plays to go around.

Which OG’s develop? Crucial.
Which DL can make a contribution behind the starters?
Will the grad transfer punter take command right away?
How effective can Beyer, Weiting and Cook become at TE?
Who takes control of the Star/Cash position?
Rooting for Trey Winters also. Dad was a ferocious effort guy. Can he crack the 2-deeps?

 

[Hawkfnntn]

I would like to see Tracey become the Julian Edelman of this offense.

Agreed with all of the comments about LB corps. Rooting for all of these guys, especially Amani, but there is only so many plays to go around.

Which OG’s develop? Crucial.
Which DL can make a contribution behind the starters?
Will the grad transfer punter take command right away?
How effective can Beyer, Weiting and Cook become at TE?
Who takes control of the Star/Cash position?
Rooting for Trey Winters also. Dad was a ferocious effort guy. Can he crack the 2-deeps?

Me too we just might get that.

 

[NikeHawk21]

I would like to see Tracey become the Julian Edelman of this offense.

Agreed with all of the comments about LB corps. Rooting for all of these guys, especially Amani, but there is only so many plays to go around.

Which OG’s develop? Crucial.
Which DL can make a contribution behind the starters?
Will the grad transfer punter take command right away?
How effective can Beyer, Weiting and Cook become at TE?
Who takes control of the Star/Cash position?
Rooting for Trey Winters also. Dad was a ferocious effort guy. Can he crack the 2-deeps?

I feel good about the LBs. Colbert and Niemann proved they are starting quality last year as underclassmen, and I expect them to step it up even more this year. Colbert needs to clean up his tackling a bit. Welch I think can replace what Hockaday did.

If we stick with more of a 4-2-5 look LBs become even less important.

 

[BVHawk95]

He's played pretty well when targeted I'd say.. When your not a big part of the game plan and have a limited amount of opportunities it's tough to stand out. People thought Taevon Smith under performed for us too but the guy just wasn't used or targeted enough. It's the way Iowa uses their wideouts. We prioritize throwing to TEs and our slot WRs more because it's easier to scheme them open. Plus our RBs we seem to use them in the passing game more than WRs too. Like Easley I hardly consider a WR in the traditional sense of it. So I'm not going to say Brandon Smith has any more pressure to 'step up' then any other WR. Don't get me wrong I'd love to see him do more. But that's on the play caller and QB more than him I think...

I think part of it is we really haven't had a playmaker at WR since Smith (whom Davis criminally underutilized), and McNutt before that.

Sure, we've had dependable guys like KMM, Vandeberg, and Easley, who will make the tough catches and move the sticks. But very rarely were they big play or redzone threats on their own.

The thing that excites me is both Smith and ISM have that potential. Some of the jump balls Smith came down with were absolutely ridiculous, and ISM has the speed and shake to do some great stuff with the ball in his hands. They're gaining confidence as well. Once they fully realize their potential (both figuratively and literally), they might be a damn good pair of WRs.

 

[BVHawk95]

I feel good about the LBs. Colbert and Niemann proved they are starting quality last year as underclassmen, and I expect them to step it up even more this year. Colbert needs to clean up his tackling a bit. Welch I think can replace what Hockaday did.

If we stick with more of a 4-2-5 look LBs become even less important.

We've got a ton of young talent at LB, a lot of whom got experience last year. I look forward to seeing the battle for the 3 LB spots.

I think the 4-2-5 goes back to being a situational package rather than a base look. Unless we find another guy who has Hooker's flex ability, I think we go back to our base 4-3 look.