QB - Jake Rudock will start next season. Kirk's not one to let go of a bird in the hand on the chance of two in the bush. Not losing anyone.
RB - Everyone is back. Not losing anyone.
FB - Cox has become a very good blocker. He'll start. Not losing anyone.
WR - KMM, Smith, Powell, Hillyer, Meerkat, and McCarron all saw action this year and have promise to take it to the next level. We lose Shumpert and Cotton, who both had a couple flashes but struggled to consistently catch the ball their entire careers.
TE - Still deep. Hamilton, Duzey, Kreiger-Coble, and Kittle have all seen playing time and each has shown flashes in one area or the other. If you mixed those four together, they'd be the perfect TE. Hopefully we can mix them up in a way that utilizes their stengths. Losing CJF hurts, but there is still some potential.
LT/RT- Most likely Schreff is LT if he stays, but it is totally possible that Ward takes over at LT if Scherff leaves or decides he wants to move to a position he has a chance of playing in the pros. Ward or Donnal will take over for Van Sloten. This could end up being an upgrade imo.
LG/RT - Both guards could see some shifting. Walsh, Ward, Donnal, or one of the younger guys coming up could win either job.
C - Blythe took a huge leap this year as the starting center.
DT- Excellent with good depth. LTP and Davis wrecked havoc this year, and kept Morris, Hitch and Kirksey free of blocks. LTP and Davis work really well together, and compliment each other very well. Cooper and Johnson also saw some significant time.
DE - Ott has cemented himself at LE. He plays the run and contains the QB pretty darn well, and that's what you want out of that position in the Iowa offense. RE is a bigger question mark. Alvis will be gone, and his replacement at times this year has been Hardy. However, the one thing Iowa's defense could really use is a dynamic pass rusher on the blind side. I would not be surprised to see Spearman or Meiers or possibly even Faith move out to the blind side next year and win the job.
LB - After looking over the roster, I wouldn't be too surprised to see one of the redshirts make a run at a starter, either. Guys like John Kenny, or even Josie Jewell have a legit chance. It all kind of depends on what positions are open. Alston will probably replace Morris, but could end up replacing Hitch, too. Spearman might end up being a DE. We could sure use someone at RE with some pass rushing ability, and I am not sold on Hardy being that guy. One of the guys the replacements is going to have to be able to cover Kirksey's position, and that usually falls to the best athlete of the group. Wouldn't be surprised to see a young DB move in here. It's a wide open race with a couple favorites and some promising depth.
CB - Losing Lowery will hurt, but King has the potential to be better than Lowery was. Lomax has shown signs. Draper's been inconsistent to say the very least, but should be servicable as a nickel with another year to learn how to tackle.
SS - Lowdermilk will never be great, but he was pretty darn consistent this year. He's strong against the run. Might move to FS. If so it is wide open. Law's seen time, but hasn't figured out the scheme yet. Always possible a young guy could win the job.
FS - Again, it's possible that anybody, and I mean anybody could win this job. Judging by history, it is likely that Iowa's next FS is Johnny Soybean from Keosaqua.
