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5 burning offensive questions for the Iowa Hawkeyes heading into spring football

It’s almost time for spring football in Iowa City. What are five burning questions about the Hawkeyes’ offense heading into spring football?

Slowly but surely we are escaping the pit that is the college football offseason. Full of transfers and coaching changes, the offseason can feel like a real slog to get through. This isn’t aided by the weather being bad either, just heightening our offseasonal depression.

It’s been a turbulent one for the Iowa Hawkeyes to say the least. Iowa brought in two big transfers from Michigan, but also saw multiple talented players depart as well. It is going to hurt to see Jestin Jacobs in an Oregon uniform next year, and I’m fully prepared for Keagan Johnson to be a star in the Big 12.

While Iowa managed to put together a good recruiting class, it all felt overshadowed by the guy they weren’t able to bring in. While many will try to criticize Proctor’s decision calling it short sighted, mind you Alabama also routinely sends linemen to the NFL, it’s really hard for me to envision anything but success for the young man. I truly do wish him the best, unless it’s in a national championship against Iowa to which I hope he gives up four sacks.

What else was there? Oh yeah, there was the entire “will they fire him” situation with offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz. If it were up to most of the fanbase, the coach’s son would’ve been out the door a long time ago. Even before Iowa’s offense put up horrendous numbers this past season. Iowa did issue him an “ultimatum” though: bring the offense to passable levels and you sir get a raise and a pat on the back.

It still does feel like a bad dream.

It’s felt like all offseason the fanbase has received just kick in the pants after kick in the pants. I’m not sure if the same feeling of optimism is there that I noticed last year. So, how do you fix that? Well, it’s easy folks.

Win.

Winning is the remedy to literally any problem in sports. All of the down moments of the offseason will seem like little blips on the radar if Iowa football gets back to doing what they do in winning.

Of course, the biggest factor in that is the offense. Anyone who is familiar with last year’s team can tell you just how bad it is, and looking back on some of the box scores it truly is the stuff of nightmares. It cannot go on that way. No more wasting Phil Parker’s fantastic defensive efforts and no more wasting the fans’ time!

With the offense in mind, here are five questions about Brian Ferentz’s unit that should be on the minds of every single Iowa football fan.

Kenneth Merrieweather grabs third 247Sports crystal ball prediction to the Iowa Hawkeyes

247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong put in the third crystal ball prediction for 2023 EDGE Kenneth Merrieweather to the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Steve Wiltfong, 247Sports’ director of football recruiting, submitted the third crystal ball prediction for class of 2023 EDGE Kenneth Merrieweather to commit to the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Merrieweather was on hand for the Hawkeyes’ big recruiting weekend and apparently the intel Wiltfong heard coming out of the weekend was enough to swing the pendulum in Iowa’s direction. According to 247Sports, Merrieweather’s top two choices are Iowa and Purdue. That duo is listed as “warm” in his interests section.

Wiltfong joins fellow 247Sports colleagues Allen Trieu and Sean Bock of HawkeyeInsider as experts that have crystal ball predictions in for Merrieweather to the Hawkeyes. Trieu submitted his crystal ball prediction on April 24 and Bock submitted his on April 28.

The fact that Wiltfong felt ready to join those two projections following Merrieweather’s official visit to Iowa seems significant. In addition to Iowa and Purdue, Merrieweather also holds Power Five offers from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Oregon, Pittsburgh, and Syracuse.

According to 247Sports, the 6-foot-3, 235 pound EDGE out of Martin Luther King High School in Detroit, Mich., is a three-star recruit, the No. 50 EDGE and the No. 14 player from Michigan. On3 rates Merrieweather as a three-star talent, the No. 75 EDGE and the No. 15 player from Michigan.

Over the weekend, both Tom Kakert and Blair Sanderson of Rivals put in FutureCasts for Merrieweather to Iowa as well. According to Rivals, Merrieweather is a three-star recruit and the No. 18 player from Michigan.

Thanks to recent June commitments from offensive tackles Trevor Lauck and Cannon Leonard, running back Kendrick Raphael and EDGE David Caulker, the Hawkeyes currently own the nation’s No. 17 recruiting class according to 247Sports and the No. 20 class according to Rivals.

Here’s a look at Merrieweather’s junior season Hudl highlights at Martin Luther King High School, a glance at his full recruiting profile and the Hawkeyes’ entire list of 2023 commits.

4-star 2023 OT Trevor Lauck commits to the Iowa Hawkeyes, becomes 13th commit

Four-star offensive tackle Trevor Lauck committed to Iowa, fortifying the Hawkeyes up front and representing the 13th pledge so far.

A big recruiting weekend for Iowa has already netted the Hawkeyes their first commitment. Class of 2023 offensive tackle Trevor Lauck announced his pledge to the Hawkeyes Sunday evening. He is a 6-foot-6, 285 pound from Roncalli High School in Indianapolis, Ind.

According to Rivals, Lauck is a four-star commit, the nation’s No. 229 player overall, the No. 25 offensive tackle, and the No. 3 player from Indiana. In the 247Sports composite rankings, Lauck is also regarded as a four-star commit, the No. 396 player nationally, the No. 33 offensive tackle and the No. 5 player from the Hoosier State.

ESPN and On3 both rate Lauck as a three-star commit. According to On3, Lauck is the nation’s No. 40 interior offensive lineman and the No. 8 player from Indiana. The On3 consensus rankings has Lauck as the country’s No. 441 player overall and as the No. 34 interior offensive lineman. Finally, ESPN rates Lauck as the No. 48 offensive tackle and the No. 5 player from Indiana.

“I’d like to thank God for putting me in the position I am in and for the blessings he’s gifted me with. I want to thank my mom, dad, family, and friends for everything they do for me and their endless support. Thank you coach Otley, Rodenberg, Quintana, and all the Roncalli staff. I want to thank each coach that has recruited me and built a relationship with me throughout the process. With that being said, I am committed to the University of Iowa! Go Hawkeyes!!!” Lauck wrote in his Twitter announcement.

Lauck represents the 13th commitment in Iowa’s 2023 class that currently ranks No. 17 nationally according to 247Sports and No. 18 according to Rivals. The Hawkeyes’ class is headlined in part by quarterback commit Marco Lainez III, who recently detailed why he’s remained loyal to Iowa.

Lauck also joins three-star offensive linemen Leighton Jones and Cannon Leonard. Here’s a look at Lauck’s junior season Hudl tape at Roncalli High School and a look at his full recruiting profile.

2023 EDGE David Caulker commits, becomes Iowa Hawkeyes’ 10th pledge

Iowa’s 2023 recruiting class expanded to double-figures with the commitment of three-star edge rusher David Caulker of North High School.

After visiting Iowa during the spring, class of 2023 edge rusher and defensive end David Caulker was back on campus for the Hawkeyes’ recent football camp. The 6-foot-4, 256 pound defensive lineman is out of North High School in Des Moines, Iowa.

After impressing the coaching staff, Caulker picked up that elusive offer from the Hawkeyes. It didn’t take long for him to make a decision either. He committed to Iowa on the same day.

HawkeyeInsider’s David Eickholt detailed Caulker’s commitment over on 247Sports with analysis from his colleague, Allen Trieu.

“Caulker is a high ceiling player. He is still raw but his body type and twitch are what you want in a Big Ten defensive line prospect,” 247Sports’ Allen Trieu told HawkeyeInsider. “Iowa is a place that can develop him and craft those tools. It is a good match for both sides but I am not surprised he has gone on the offer run he has recently because defensive linemen with his skill set are tough to find.” – Eickholt, HawkeyeInsider.

According to 247Sports, Caulker is a three-star recruit, the nation’s No. 77 edge rusher and the No. 10 player from the state of Iowa. Rivals also lists Caulker as a three-star talent. He also had offers from Iowa State, Kent State, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Northern Illinois and Northern Iowa.

“First off, I would love to thank my parents for bringing me into this world. Then I would love to thank my teammates, coaches and staff at North High School. I would not have gotten this far without you.

“I would also like to thank any coach who has ever recruited me, I will be forever grateful for the belief you had in me! Finally, I would like to thank Coach Addy, Coach Niemann, and Coach Bell; the impact you’ve had on my life is immeasurable! With that being said, I am 110 percent committed to continuing my academic and football career at the University of Iowa,” Caulker wrote in his commitment announcement.

Caulker becomes the 10th Hawkeye commit in the 2023 class. The full look at Iowa’s 2023 class is below.

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Aidan Hall commits to Iowa, represents the Hawkeyes’ ninth 2023 commit

Aidan Hall committed to Iowa and became the Hawkeyes’ ninth 2023 commit. What does he add to an already impressive class?

Aidan Hall picked up an offer from Iowa on May 13 and a trio of experts across 247Sports and Rivals quickly forecasted that he would wind up committing to the Hawkeyes.

Now, that’s officially how it’s played out. Hall committed to Iowa, becoming the Hawkeyes’ ninth pledge in the 2023 recruiting class. Here’s a look at Iowa’s full 2023 commitment tracker.

According to 247Sports, Hall is a three-star recruit, the nation’s No. 110 athlete and the No. 13 player from Iowa. Hall also represents the fifth in-state commitment for the Hawkeyes.

The 6-foot-2, 200 pound athlete joins athlete Alex Mota of Marion High School, linebacker Ben Kueter of Iowa City High School, defensive lineman Maddux Borcherding-Johnson of Norwalk High School and Zach Lutmer of Central Lyon High School.

Iowa’s other commitments include quarterback Marco Lainez III from the Hun School in Princeton, N.J., defensive end Chase Brackney from Cherry Creek High School in Englewood, Colo., offensive lineman Leighton Jones from Brownsburg High School in Indiana, and cornerback John Nestor from Marist High School in Chicago, Ill.

While Hall is listed as an athlete by 247Sports, Rivals lists Hall as a safety. Penciling in where Hall will fit in with the Hawkeyes is interesting to think about.

Last season with Harlan Community High School, Hall carried 94 times for 777 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns, caught 32 passes for 755 receiving yards and had seven receiving touchdowns. He also totaled 29.5 tackles and three interceptions, so he has the skillset to slide in as an offensive skill player or in the Hawkeyes’ defensive backfield.

Iowa has shown that it’s not afraid to move players from one side of the football to the other if the coaching staff feels it could help a player earn more snaps.

The important news for the Hawkeyes is that Iowa now has the ninth piece to its 2023 class and Hall is a talented puzzle piece to add to the fold. According to 247Sports, Iowa currently owns the nation’s No. 17 recruiting class in the 2023 cycle. Rivals rates the Hawkeyes’ class No. 20 nationally and the No. 26 class according to On3.

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Iowa Hawkeyes offer 2023 cornerback Bo Mascoe from Florida

Bo Mascoe, a three-star Florida cornerback according to 247Sports and On3, picked up an offer from the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Iowa is looking for more in its defensive backfield after landing its second commit from a secondary player in Zach Lutmer. Lutmer joins defensive back John Nestor as a pair of 2023 secondary prospects that have committed to the Hawkeyes.

Iowa is hoping that cornerback Bo Mascoe can join that group before long. The 5-foot-10, 165 pound corner from Osceola High School in Kissimmee, Fla., picked up an offer from the Hawkeye coaching staff.

According to 247Sports, Mascoe is a three-star recruit, the nation’s No. 95 cornerback and the 134th-ranked player from Florida in the 2023 class. On3 rates Mascoe as a three-star talent as well. In the On3 consensus rankings, Mascoe is ranked as the country’s No. 968 player overall, the No. 91 cornerback and the No. 141 player from the Sunshine State.

Iowa joins Rutgers as the second Power Five school to extend an offer to Mascoe. The Florida product also has offers from Florida Atlantic, Marshall, Western Kentucky and has seen interest from Miami (Ohio).

According to MaxPreps, Mascoe finished his junior season at Osceola High School with 41 tackles, 11 passes defensed, seven interceptions and a fumble recovery. He also worked as a kick returner for Osceola High School. Between interception and kick returns, Mascoe had four touchdowns during the 2021 season.

Iowa currently has the nation’s No. 15 class according to 247Sports and ESPN, the No. 18 class according to Rivals and the No. 24 class according to On3.

Here’s a look at Mascoe’s junior season Hudl highlights at Osceola High School.

2023 ATH Zach Lutmer commits to the Iowa Hawkeyes

Zach Lutmer, a three-star recruit according to 247Sports, committed to the Iowa Hawkeyes. Lutmer is the eighth commitment in the 2023 class.

It didn’t take long for 2023 athlete Zach Lutmer to make a decision. After receiving his first FBS and Power Five offer from Iowa, Lutmer took all of one day to announce his commitment to the Hawkeyes.

“Excited to announce that I am committed to play football at the University of Iowa! This would not be possible without the support from my family, coaches and community! #GOHAWKS,” Lutmer wrote in his Twitter announcement.

The 6-foot-1, 190 pound athlete out of Central Lyon High School in Rock Rapids, Iowa, is projected as a defensive back at the next level. Rivals and On3 both list Lutmer as a safety.

Meanwhile, 247Sports lists Lutmer as an athlete. 247Sports is the only recruiting service that currently has a star ranking for Lutmer. According to 247Sports, Lutmer is a three-star recruit, the nation’s No. 147 athlete and the 17th-best player from Iowa in the 2023 class.

He also held offers from South Dakota and South Dakota State and was drawing interest from both Iowa State and Minnesota. Last season at Central Lyon High School, Lutmer registered 1,016 passing yards, 1,246 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns on offense and 46.5 tackles and four interceptions on defense.

Lutmer becomes Iowa’s eighth commit overall in the 2023 class and joins Marion High School athlete Alex Mota, Iowa City High School linebacker Ben Kueter and Norwalk High School defensive lineman Maddux Borcherding-Johnson as in-state products that have pledged commitments to the Hawkeyes.

Iowa’s other commitments include Hun School quarterback Marco Lainez III out of New Jersey, Cherry Creek High School EDGE Chase Brackney out of Colorado, Brownsburg High School offensive lineman Leighton Jones out of Indiana and Marist High School defensive back John Nestor out of Illinois.

Here’s a look at Lutmer’s junior season Hudl highlights and his commitment profile.

Iowa Hawkeyes offer 2023 ATH Zach Lutmer, earn crystal ball prediction

The Iowa Hawkeyes offered class of 2023 athlete Zach Lutmer and picked up a 247Sports crystal ball prediction from Sean Bock.

Iowa extended an offer to class of 2023 athlete Zach Lutmer. The 6-foot-1, 190 pound athlete is an in-state product out of Central Lyon High School in Rock Rapids, Iowa.

According to 247Sports, Lutmer is a three-star recruit, the nation’s 147th athlete overall and the No. 17 player from the state of Iowa. Rivals and On3 both list Lutmer as a safety.

The offer from the Hawkeyes represents Lutmer’s first FBS offer according to 247Sports. He also holds offers from South Dakota and South Dakota State and has drawn interest from Iowa State and Minnesota.

Shortly after he received his offer, HawkeyeInsider’s Sean Bock of 247Sports submitted a crystal ball prediction for Lutmer to land with Iowa. HawkeyeReport’s Blair Sanderson and Tom Kakert each issued Rivals FutureCasts for Lutmer to choose Iowa as well.

Lutmer discussed his Hawkeye offer with Sanderson, noting he was surprised the offer came before a summer camp visit. Lutmer said he is “super interested in Iowa” and that the coaching staff feels he can play any of the Hawkeyes’ three safety positions.

Sanderson also touched on some of Lutmer’s statistical numbers from this past season at Central Lyon High School in his breakdown of the offer.

A versatile, multisport athlete, Lutmer finished his junior year with 1,016 yards passing, 1,246 yards rushing, and 30 touchdowns on offense and 46.5 tackles and four interceptions on defense, which is where he likely projects in college. – Sanderson, HawkeyeReport.

The Hawkeyes already have one secondary player committed in their 2023 class, defensive back John Nestor out of Marist High School in Chicago, Ill. Nestor committed to the Hawkeyes on April 4, but Iowa would surely love to add a pledge from Lutmer to pair with Nestor.

Here’s a look at Lutmer’s junior season Hudl highlights at Central Lyon High School.

Iowa Hawkeyes offer 3-star 2023 offensive tackle Christopher Terek

The Iowa Hawkeyes offered class of 2023 three-star offensive tackle Christopher Terek out of Glenbard West High School in Illinois.

Iowa is back active in the 2023 class, offering offensive tackle Christopher Terek out of Glenbard West High School in Illinois. The 6-foot-6, 295 pound offensive tackle is regarded as a three-star prospect according to both 247Sports and Rivals.

According to 247Sports, Terek is the nation’s No. 116 offensive tackle and Illinois’ No. 40 player. The 247Sports composite rankings see Terek ranked as the nation’s No. 891 player, No. 79 offensive tackle and No. 21 player from Illinois.

247Sports reports 20 offers for Terek, including nine Power Five offers. In addition to Iowa, Power Five programs Boston College, Duke, Illinois, Iowa State, Kansas, Michigan, Vanderbilt and Wisconsin have offered.

Terek also holds offers from Air Force, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Illinois State, Kent State, Maine, Miami (Ohio), Northern Illinois, South Dakota, Southern Illinois and Western Michigan.

Hawkeye Nation’s Rob Howe caught up with Terek to discuss his offer from Iowa. Terek impressed at the Hawkeyes’ summer camp last year, but there were concerns about his weight. When Iowa offensive line coach George Barnett got a look at him during Tuesday’s workout, he saw a player that had trimmed down from 352 to 295 pounds. Combined with his impressive showing last summer, it was enough to convince the Iowa staff to extend the offer.

The Hawkeyes currently possess the nation’s No. 15 class according to 247Sports and ESPN, the No. 18 class according to Rivals, the No. 24 class according to On3. The class currently includes quarterback Marco Lainez III, defensive end and EDGE Chase Brackney, athlete Alex Mota, linebacker Ben Kueter, offensive lineman Leighton Jones, defensive back John Nestor and defensive lineman Maddux Borcherding-Johnson.

Adding Terek to pair with Jones along the offensive line would be terrific news for the Hawkeyes. HawkeyeReport’s Tom Kakert and Blair Sanderson believe that will be the case. The pair of Iowa reporters for Rivals both issued FutureCasts for Terek to land with the Hawkeyes.

Here’s a look at Terek’s junior season Hudl highlights from Glenbard West High School.

Iowa Hawkeyes offer 3-star 2023 TE George Burhenn out of Indiana

Iowa offered class of 2023 three-star tight end George Burhenn out of Mount Vernon High School in Indiana.

George Burhenn, a three-star tight end according to 247Sports out of Mount Vernon High School in Indiana, picked up an offer from Iowa. He joins Anderson County High School wide receiver Bryson Vowell as the Hawkeyes’ most recent offers.

247Sports rates Burhenn as the country’s No. 37 tight end and as the No. 12 player from Indiana. Burhenn is the fifth tight end to be offered by the Hawkeyes in the 2023 recruiting class according to 247Sports. The 6-foot-5, 205 pound Indiana product joins Mac Markway, Jackson Carver, Zach Ortwerth and Jackson McGohan as 2023 tight ends that have earned an Iowa offer.

Burhenn’s recruitment has picked up steam over the last several weeks. Burhenn also holds offers Air Force, Ball State, Iowa State, Nevada and Ohio. All of his offers have come since April 18.

HawkeyeReport’s Blair Sanderson reported that Burhenn caught 28 passes for 443 yards and five touchdowns last season with Mount Vernon High School. Sanderson also caught up with Burhenn to discuss his offer from Iowa.

“It’s been crazy. It’s just a dream come true with all of this happening,” Burhenn said. – Sanderson, HawkeyeReport.

It’s great to see Burhenn’s recruitment starting to take flight and his offer from the Hawkeyes should only help reinforce that. Adding Burhenn would ceratinly make the Hawkeyes’ 2023 quarterback commit Marco Lainez III happy. For Lainez, Burhenn would represent a big-bodied target in the passing game.

Iowa also holds commitments from EDGE Chase Brackney, athlete Alex Mota, linebacker Ben Kueter, offensive lineman Leighton Jones, defensive back John Nestor and defensive lineman Maddux Borcherding-Johnson.

Here’s a glimpse at Burhenn’s Hudl tape from his junior season.