STORY: Noah Fant, T.J. Hockenson Will Look into Leaving Iowa Early for NFL

I am not thinking 6-6 if we lose the two TEs. We have no idea if we might have a new qb, will we have a better run blocking line, a 5 ypc running avg will help. I think Young and Sargent are two powerful runners,

Defense might be better next year as I hope Welch, colbert, and Neimann are really ready to take over.

I think the D is going to be very very good to say the least. We should be better at every position group on D. I'm really concerned about the lack of WR targets in the passing game however. If we could get David Bell, who I believe is the #1 WR prospect nationwide and we still have some chance, that would obviously be huge.
 
NFL GMs and scouts aren't stupid. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see Hock grade out higher than Fant. Obviously, where they go will depend a ton on how the draft lines up and what teams covet in TEs.

In terms of pro comparisons, Fant is basically a bigger version of Jordan Reed, whereas, Hock's size and game are very similar to Greg Olson. Hock is the better blocker, though. His all-around game will be very attractive at the next level.
 
if we're starting to have guys leave early, at a regular pace, then I think we should re-think the developmental program moniker and move to lets just win. this is iowa and we should just win moniker.

I don't think Iowa will shake that tag. It's the same tag at Michigan State, Wisconsin, Northwestern, etc. That's where the Hawkeyes reside. They're not going to regularly beat out OSU, PSU, Michigan, etc for four and five stars.
 
You could expect 6-6 with them next year.
They won't win one road game and will drop a home game guaranteed!
A number of posters on this board predicted 6 wins this year after losing our only playmaker in Wadley. The year before people on this board predicted 6 wins after losing Desmond King and CJ Beathard. There were probably people predicting 6 wins the year before that and the one before that too.

A little history here: Iowa has had 1 season in the last 11 with less than 7 wins.
 
No we wont. Our offense will be vanilla plain again, 8-9 wins will be the good years moving forward.
I'll take "vanilla plain" if the tackles keep getting better and there are no gaping holes in the o-line. If Iowa had a really good o-line this year, they are probably only a 1 loss team (Purdue) because they would have been able to convert those short yardage situations against Wisconsin and PSU and dominated TOP against Northwestern to eek out a win there. Give me a dominant o-line, a decent QB and a good TE over a fancy offense any day of the week.
 
If they’re ready... cash in while you can. Fant we knew was gone. TJ just played his way into the NFL and it does not hurt to have Kittle shining.

One of Kirk’s strongest selling points on the recruiting trail has to be his list of players succeeding in the NFL. I can’t even name them all that are currently playing. That and of course stability and a competitive program with some high points to highlight as well.
 
I don't think Iowa will shake that tag. It's the same tag at Michigan State, Wisconsin, Northwestern, etc. That's where the Hawkeyes reside. They're not going to regularly beat out OSU, PSU, Michigan, etc for four and five stars.

that's fair rob and i agree. maybe i should have stated my point differently, which is that as a fan base, we shouldn't accept "we're a developmental program" reason for why we don't perform better on the field. this season is a good example, we literally could (and i feel should) be undefeated at 11-0. but we've mismanaged games and game plans and players (again) this season and that has cost us games. so, i won't attribute very poor game and player management to being a developmental program. we've got an undefeated regular season and a trend of players leaving early for the NFL to show we should always be contending for the B1G West at minimum.
 
If they’re ready... cash in while you can. Fant we knew was gone. TJ just played his way into the NFL and it does not hurt to have Kittle shining.

One of Kirk’s strongest selling points on the recruiting trail has to be his list of players succeeding in the NFL. I can’t even name them all that are currently playing. That and of course stability and a competitive program with some high points to highlight as well.
As I pointed out in another thread, Fiedorowicz ended up having a short career. Had to walk away from some benjamins as well. Moeaki had an injury shortened career. It's a cruel game. Make it when you can.

Here's another factor to consider. The NFL's CBA expires in 2021. Mark my words, the next negotiation is going to get ugly. Player reps are already telling their teamates to start saving their money. Who knows what kind of NFL we will see by the time that contract is hammered out.
 
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As I pointed out in another thread, Fiedorowicz ended up having a short career. Had to walk away from some benjamins as well. Moeaki had an injury shortened career. It's a cruel game. Make it when you can.

Here's another factor to consider. The NFL's CBA expires in 2021. Mark my words, the next negotiation is going to get ugly. Player reps are already telling their teamates to start saving their money. Who knows what kind of NFL we will see by the time that contract is hammered out.
Pretty much the biggest factor from the dollars and cents side of it... Most players aren't fortunate enough to be healthy when it's time to get to their 2nd contract in the NFL. The ink was barely dry on CJFs when he had to stop playing. If your good enough to get drafted 3rd round or higher (especially if you have growth potential once your in the NFL) I find it tough to advise almost any player to not come out. I mean otherwise your just gambling on how much higher can you go.

Where I could see it being an issue is say after next yr AJP is looked at as a good prospect. Like say he's graded as a 2nd round or low 1st round guy. So if he were to play a 4th yr in college could he raise his stock to be a top 5 ish draft pick and how much $ would that be worth rolling the dice on? Heck if he stays healthy and balls out he may end up being a top 5 pick after next...

In both Fant and TJs cases I don't think coming back would significantly increase where they'd be picked. My guess is both are gone... We'll see
 
I'll take "vanilla plain" if the tackles keep getting better and there are no gaping holes in the o-line. If Iowa had a really good o-line this year, they are probably only a 1 loss team (Purdue) because they would have been able to convert those short yardage situations against Wisconsin and PSU and dominated TOP against Northwestern to eek out a win there. Give me a dominant o-line, a decent QB and a good TE over a fancy offense any day of the week.
I think the days of us having a dominant OL are probably over. We don't have the coaching for it, it seems.
 
If they’re ready... cash in while you can. Fant we knew was gone. TJ just played his way into the NFL and it does not hurt to have Kittle shining.

One of Kirk’s strongest selling points on the recruiting trail has to be his list of players succeeding in the NFL. I can’t even name them all that are currently playing. That and of course stability and a competitive program with some high points to highlight as well.
That hasn't helped too much in the past. Our OL recruiting should be top 5 in the nation, when you consider how many guys KF has put on NFL rosters.
 
I can't say as I've ever seen the pre-emptive "guys are leaving but we'll be ok" thread from Rob before. It does change the entire complexion of next year's offense. We will lose our top 3 receiving threats (Fant, Hock, Easley) and our 3 interior OL (Reynolds, Render, Ferguson).
 
As I pointed out in another thread, Fiedorowicz ended up having a short career. Had to walk away from some benjamins as well. Moeaki had an injury shortened career. It's a cruel game. Make it when you can.

Here's another factor to consider. The NFL's CBA expires in 2021. Mark my words, the next negotiation is going to get ugly. Player reps are already telling their teamates to start saving their money. Who knows what kind of NFL we will see by the time that contract is hammered out.

Very good point because its going to get very ugly. The NFL owners did a very smart thing. They negotiated TV deals that go past the CBA expiration (through 2022) and they get paid those contracts whether the games are played or not. So if the new CBA can't be agreed on and the 2021 season gets delayed or cancelled they still get a large portion of their NFL income.

The owners have most or all of the leverage. The players have little or none and are on very limited playing window (basically their 20s if they want a big contract) and they want big changes. That could equal a very long work stoppage.
 
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that's fair rob and i agree. maybe i should have stated my point differently, which is that as a fan base, we shouldn't accept "we're a developmental program" reason for why we don't perform better on the field. this season is a good example, we literally could (and i feel should) be undefeated at 11-0. but we've mismanaged games and game plans and players (again) this season and that has cost us games. so, i won't attribute very poor game and player management to being a developmental program. we've got an undefeated regular season and a trend of players leaving early for the NFL to show we should always be contending for the B1G West at minimum.

Agreed. Being a developmental program shouldn't be an excuse. If you're a developmental program, then you better develop players well enough to win championships.
 
A number of posters on this board predicted 6 wins this year after losing our only playmaker in Wadley. The year before people on this board predicted 6 wins after losing Desmond King and CJ Beathard. There were probably people predicting 6 wins the year before that and the one before that too.

A little history here: Iowa has had 1 season in the last 11 with less than 7 wins.

So proud. :oops::rolleyes:

Iowa = irrelevant in college football playoff picture and Big Ten title games every year. A legend in our fans minds only.

We have not won against a quality team all year and Nebraska doesn’t qualify even if we beat them. If we lose to them the team we play in any bowl game will not change that either as they are highly unlikely to be a quality team.

At this point you have to hope we do a repeat of last week and shred them like we did Illinois. Then at 8-4 we could actually play a quality team in a bowl game.

A win there leaves us at 9-4 and sets us up nicely for next season with the rest of the college football thinking “Wow Iowa was so close to having a tremendous year except for a few bad bounces here and there. They are going to be looking strong going into next year!!!” THAT IS “IF” we win against Nebraska and win our bowl game.

If we lose to Nebraska and play some pathetic team in a nothing bowl game then what we have going into next year is just another $4,000,000 $h!t sandwich Kirk burger. :mad:

I will be cheering and hoping for the best but have some Rolaids handy for that possible burger. ;)
 
Very good point because its going to get very ugly. The NFL owners did a very smart thing. They negotiated TV deals that go past the CBA expiration (through 2022) and they get paid those contracts whether the games are played or not. So if the new CBA can't be agreed on and the 2021 season gets delayed or cancelled they still get a large portion of their NFL income.

The owners have most or all of the leverage. The players have little or none and are on very limited playing window (basically their 20s if they want a big contract) and they want big changes. That could equal a very long work stoppage.
Part of it is supply and demand. MLB and NBA long ago had to go other areas of the globe to find enough Major league talent to fill their rosters. The MLB players union has proven time and again that without them the owners don't make money.

Not the NFL. Not enough jobs available. Many qualified candidates don't make it, try the Arena league route, or go to the CFL. Hall of fame caliber players are cut each year because teams can get equal production from a cheaper alternative. If the players don't want the deal offered the owner have proved in the past (1987) that they can field teams anyway and people will attend and watch. In some instances the coaches liked the scabs better then the regular players and the incumbents didn't get their jobs back. Look at how much the NFL has grown since 1987. The owners have the players you-know-whats in a jar.
 

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