Tag: Charlie Jones

‘It’s not going well for him right now’: Iowa set to ‘reassess everything,’ including starting QB

After just one touchdown through two games, Kirk Ferentz said the Hawkeyes will “reassess everything,” including the starting quarterback.

After Iowa was only able to muster up 150 yards of total offense and one offensive touchdown against Iowa State, it sounds like it’s officially time for the Hawkeyes to perhaps make some personnel changes.

Starting quarterback Spencer Petras had another rough outing, throwing for just 92 yards on 12-of-26 passing with a lost fumble and an interception.

Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz was asked why stick with Petras as the team’s starting quarterback at this point.

“I guess to me, both these games he’s still not getting enough help to really do a fair assessment. He hasn’t been perfect obviously. Nobody has. We’ve got a lot of moving parts right now on offense, and then we’re shorthanded a little bit at a couple positions. We’ll keep working through it, we’ll talk about it tomorrow, you know, and see what happens moving forward,” Ferentz said.

Then, as a follow up, Ferentz was asked point blank if Petras is the team’s sure starter in game No. 3 against Nevada.

“No, I didn’t say that. I just said today he played the whole game. In my judgment, it was the best way to continue through this game, and, you know, gave it some thought, but I felt like it was our best opportunity. We’ll reassess everything tomorrow,” Ferentz said.

With the Hawkeyes mired in an offensive desert, Iowa’s 24th-year head coach was asked why he hasn’t been the type of coach historically to quickly yank quarterbacks in general. Ferentz said part of that approach has been rooted in his quarterbacks having established reputations.

“I would agree with that comment or that statement if in fact that quarterback has built up some credit, you know, he’s got an account going. We’ve been around Spencer three years now. This is his third year playing as a starter, so we’ve been around him, seen him do a lot of really good things. And as a person, as a young man, he’s stellar. He’s been really good,” Ferentz said.

With that being said, ultimately, it’s just not working right now for Iowa, and that means that all options are on the table.

“He’s got all the attributes you’re looking for, but it’s not going well for him right now. It’s not going well for anybody on the offense quite frankly. If making a change is the best thing, then we’ll consider it. If not, we’ll just keep pushing forward, see what we can do,” Ferentz said.

Last week, Iowa offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz wasn’t completely letting Petras off the hook based on poor offensive line play.

“I felt like after watching the tape, the majority of that game, we had ample opportunity in the pocket to deliver the ball and do what we needed to do as far as making the read and getting the ball out to the correct guy on time. So, is the protection perfect? No, but if you’re waiting around for perfect protection, you’re not going to be happy with it ever,” Brian Ferentz said.

And the promise was that Iowa would play the best player, whomever that ultimately is.

“And the reality is, we’ve seen both quarterbacks play. Both guys have played well. Both guys probably have had times in their career they wish they had back — with Spencer we can look as recently as a few days ago. But the reality is they both demonstrated that they can do it. And what we need to do is find consistency at that position. I can just assure you that what we’re going to do is we’re going to continue to go with the guy, whomever that is, whenever that is, that’s going to give us the best chance to win football games,” Brian Ferentz said after the South Dakota State game.

Now, the questions are more pronounced than ever. Is Petras really Iowa’s best option at quarterback? Or, what are Alex Padilla and Joey Labas not doing to get opportunities to play?

“It’s really not that. The best way I can phrase it is we have a lot more exposure to what’s going on with our players on a daily basis. You get to see them on Saturdays, obviously you get to interview them, talk to them and all that, but we see them on a daily basis, and this goes back to the spring and last fall, as well.

“It has been our estimation that Spencer is the starter, and wanted to give him that chance again today. We’re sitting here right now, clearly we have to do better, and we’ll reassess everything this week,” Kirk Ferentz said.

Ultimately, the bottom line is Iowa needs more offensive production. As such, all options have to be on the table.

“We’ll assess all that tomorrow. Obviously the statement made about points scored, we’re not going to win moving forward if we can’t score more points than that, and we have a really good defense. But you’re not going to win a game, 7 points, 10 points a game, as a rule,” Kirk Ferentz said.

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5 takeaways from Penn State and Purdue’s barnburner of a season opener

Penn State and Purdue kicked off the Big Ten’s week one slate with an absolute classic primetime game. Here are the big takeaways.

Who said Big Ten Football was boring?! Thursday night, primetime week one with the entire college football world tuning in, or at least flipping the channels between this and the insane Backyard Brawl. Penn State and Purdue delivered a classic game. I feel bad for anyone who turned this off after halftime, because everything went off the rails after the 30-minute feeling out process.

This was a high-scoring 35-31 affair that had everything. With a few star-making performances, a back-and-forth fourth quarter, and a comeback moment from an unlikely candidate, this week one classic is a great way to kick off the week for the Big Ten. Here are the big takeaways.

Iowa Hawkeyes: 2022 special teams depth chart

Here’s a look at the Iowa Hawkeyes’ official 2022 special teams depth chart.

With Big Ten Media Days underway, the Iowa Hawkeyes went ahead and released their official depth charts entering fall camp. While there certainly could be changes along the way, there were plenty of interesting notes in both the offensive and defensive depth charts.

Offensively, quarterback Spencer Petras is once again listed ahead of Alex Padilla entering camp. At running back, Gavin Williams is given the early nod over Leshon Williams. One of the interesting notes at wide receiver is redshirt freshman Alec Wick listed within the two-deep.

Meanwhile, along the Hawkeyes’ offensive line, the starters moving left to right look like this: left tackle Mason Richman, left guard Tyler Elsbury, center Logan Jones, right guard Connor Colby and right tackle Jack Plumb.

Defensively, while Lukas Van Ness is still listed as a second-string defensive tackle for Iowa, one has to imagine Van Ness will be used both inside and outside on the Hawkeyes’ defensive line in 2022.

In the defensive backfield, junior Reggie Bracy and sophomore Brendan Deasfernandez are listed as second-stringers at free safety and right cornerback, respectively.

How is special teams shaping up? While Iowa didn’t release the full picture on special teams just yet, we did get some idea of what it will look like entering 2022. Here’s everything we know so far according to Iowa’s official depth chart reveal. As noted and discussed below, there are several notable omissions that will be key during the Hawkeyes’ fall camp.

‘Now, it’s like our time’: Keagan Johnson embracing opportunity of added reps, production in 2022

Sophomore Iowa wide receiver Keagan Johnson is embracing the opportunity to see added reps and increase his production heading into 2022.

The training wheels are officially off for sophomore Iowa wide receiver Keagan Johnson. That’s if they were ever even on in the first place.

In 2021, Johnson finished as the Hawkeyes’ second-leading receiver with 352 receiving yards on 18 receptions. His 19.6 yards per catch average was tops among all Iowa players with more than one grab last season.

The Bellevue West product’s week four start against Colorado State represented the first time a true freshman wide receiver had started a game for the Hawkeyes since Ihmir Smith-Marsette did so in 2017. Johnson and Arland Bruce IV combined to become the first pair of true freshmen in the Kirk Ferentz era to start the same game in week 11 against Illinois.

Now, after one season of nine starts under his belt, Johnson enters the 2022 season with the expectations of being one of Iowa’s primary pass catchers and helping improve a passing offense that finished ranked just 109th nationally.

“Yeah, in the spring, I wasn’t out there, but, just observing and, you know, we have a few new guys, and then we have a few new guys helping coach. I feel like we’re trying to make those changes so we can be a more efficient, effective passing offense this year. I think we’re trying to change a few things up and I’m excited to see how we look this year. I’m confident that we can be better than we were last year,” Johnson told Hawk Central‘s Chad Leistikow.

After sitting out and rehabbing throughout the spring, the 6-foot-1 wide receiver feels like he’s back fully healthy and he’s actually put on some weight, too.

“I didn’t really want to push it and, you know, risk anything that far out. Really just rehabbing through the spring and I’ve been participating in everything this summer. I’m back 100 percent with the team and I should be ready to go.

“I feel like I’m more explosive right now. I put on six more pounds, so just got a bit stronger. Obviously, what you’re trying to do every offseason, you know, come back in better shape than you were the year prior. I’m confident where my body is at, and I’m just looking forward to another fun year,” Johnson said.

Charlie Jones and Tyrone Tracy Jr. both left this offseason to Purdue. Johnson wasn’t concerned about what that means for he and the Hawkeyes’ collective strength at wide receiver.

“Yeah, receiving room is definitely slimmer. We lost a few, but I feel like we have enough to produce more than what we did last year. Honestly, I’m not too worried, because I’m confident in the guys that we have in our room and I think we all have really good camaraderie. We’re just looking forward to having a good camp, so we can enter the season confident, ready to go,” Johnson said.

In fact, after the initial shock of one of his former roommates leaving wore off, it’s fair to say that Johnson is fully prepared for the challenge of replacing that lost production.

“Yeah, at first, we’re like—he lived with me and Arland—so, we’re like, ‘Ah, it sucks. I feel like we lost a brother and just a great guy.’ When you have to move on with it, it’s just, all of us have bigger roles, bigger duties. Charlie brought a lot to this team in a lot of different aspects of special teams and offense. I think right now we just have to fill those roles. Me and Arland being younger guys, we didn’t know how big our role was going to be coming in last year. Now, it’s like our time, and I think we’re both just looking forward to stepping up and fulfilling that challenge,” Johnson said with HawkeyeReport‘s Tom Kakert.

Of course, everyone wants to know how the quarterback situation is looking. While the real heart of the quarterback battle is just taking shape, Johnson likes the approach he’s seen from all of the Hawkeyes’ quarterbacks.

“Right now, we’re doing, we call it skills and drills. I haven’t been out there for them, so I’ve been able to just watch and I feel like all the quarterbacks are progressing pretty good. Obviously, it’s like a competition, so I think every guy out there is trying to give it their all, especially on each rep.

“Yeah, but we haven’t really entered camp yet, so like as far as a quarterback race and who’s going to play, who’s going to be out there week one, I really couldn’t tell you because there’s still a lot in the air and there’s a lot of days ahead before we play that first game. I think right now all the quarterbacks have the right mindset, though, and I think at the end of the day we all just want to see a better result on the field than we saw last year with just the whole offense in general. We just want to produce better and be more efficient,” Johnson said.

Kakert also asked if Johnson might help out in the kickoff return department. It’s something Johnson hasn’t campaigned for yet, but an opportunity he would happily embrace.

“We have a lot of guys on this team who I think could be good at punt return or kick return. If that’s a role that he asks me to fill, then I’m all for it,” Johnson said.

Whether or not kickoff returns are in his future, fans are anxiously awaiting the sophomore encores from both Johnson and Bruce IV.

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Iowa Hawkeyes 2022 schedule breakdown: Purdue

Iowa will be looking to exact revenge on Purdue in the start of a West division gauntlet. Here’s several Boilermakers to watch in 2022.

Hopefully, Iowa enjoyed a nice easy win over Northwestern because the pressure is back on. The honeymoon is over, here comes the Big Ten West division gauntlet.

While their midseason clashes against Michigan and Ohio State will show just where Iowa stacks up nationally, the Hawkeyes’ season really depends on the final four games of the season. Iowa faces four straight extremely tough divisional rivals as they push for a spot in the Big Ten championship.

Iowa fans will want to forget all about Purdue. Just when it looked like the Hawkeyes were legitimate national contenders last year, Iowa ranked No. 2 in the country and coming off of a massive win over Penn State, everything came crashing down against Purdue. The offense couldn’t do anything against the Boilermakers, losing 24-7.

Purdue is an interesting team in 2022. They played spoiler in 2021, knocking off both Iowa and Michigan State. They just weren’t consistent enough, though, dropping some key games against Ohio State and Wisconsin. Their offense emerged as one of the best in the nation over their last six games, averaging 37.1 points per game during that stretch. Can Purdue keep that hot streak rolling into 2022?

Athlon Sports ranks Iowa Hawkeyes No. 32 nationally entering 2022

What all did Athlon Sports have to say about the Iowa Hawkeyes that resulted in Iowa outside the top 25 at No. 32 nationally?

Several weeks ago, Athlon Sports’ Steven Lassan released his top 25 rankings for 2022 and the Iowa Hawkeyes weren’t among that list. Instead, five other Big Ten teams were among Lassan’s top 25 rankings for 2022 heading into the summer.

That group included No. 2 Ohio State, No. 6 Michigan, No. 14 Michigan State, No. 19 Wisconsin and No. 25 Penn State. When Lassan’s top 25 was released, he had Iowa in his “next tier” of teams that also included Air Force, Appalachian State, Auburn, Boise State, BYU, Coastal Carolina, Florida, Florida State, Fresno State, Kansas State, LSU, Minnesota, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Purdue, South Carolina, Texas, UAB, UCLA and UTSA.

Now, after Athlon Sports’ release of its 2022 Iowa football preview, there’s a precise number to attach from the outlet to the Hawkeyes. Athlon Sports ranks Iowa No. 32 nationally heading into the 2022 season.

Here’s a breakdown on everything Athlon Sports had to say about Iowa.

Former Iowa Hawkeye Charlie Jones linked to Purdue as transfer landing spot

Former Iowa Hawkeyes return man Charlie Jones has been linked to the Purdue Boilermakers as a likely landing spot for multiple reasons.

Sometimes there are situations where things just seem to make way too much sense. That seems to be the case here involving the Iowa Hawkeyes’ former wide receiver and return specialist [autotag]Charlie Jones[/autotag].

After an unexpected entry into the transfer portal last week, there are some reports coming out that Jones has found his new home. Hawkeye fans may want to close their eyes as it appears it could be with a familiar foe, the Purdue Boilermakers.

According to Chi Sports Scoops, Jones is reportedly heading to Purdue. While there is speculation that this move could be related to the new name, image and likeness rules and a chance to receive compensation, that has not been verified yet.

If Purdue does happen to be Jones’ new home, there is the tie of fellow former Iowa wide receiver Tyrone Tracy who left the program after the 2021 season and relocated to West Lafayette, Ind. The pair spent the past two seasons together in the Iowa receiver room and could be a link for this landing spot.

The other speculation leading to Purdue stems from their receiver depth chart being depleted. Their top pass catcher from last year, David Bell, is now in the NFL. Along with that, Milton Wright, who was expected to be the top wideout, has been ruled academically ineligible for the 2022 season leading to his departure from the Boilermakers’ program.

Lastly, and entirely fair, Jones may see the writing on the wall for the Iowa offense. All signs point to Keagan Johnson, Arland Bruce IV, and Sam LaPorta spearheading the passing game.

Jones may simply be motivated by wanting to give himself the best opportunity to get playing time, plug a gap in a program that desperately needs a wide receiver, and better his chances to make the jump to the NFL. If that is the case, more power to Jones for doing what he feels is best for his career.

Jones leaves a gap in Iowa’s production both offensively and on special teams. With a punt return touchdown in 2020, a kickoff return touchdown last season, and three receiving touchdowns in 2021, his departure is notable.

As more news comes out on the landing spot of Jones, Hawkeye fans can only wait and see if Iowa will indeed be seeing him on Nov. 5.

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Auburn interested in kick return specialist

The former Iowa Hawkeye was named to the All-Big 10 first team in 2021.

The Tigers may be looking to get some more help on special teams.

On3 is reporting that Auburn is taking an interest in Iowa wideout transfer Charlie Jones, who they say is interested in the Plains as well (subscription required). Jones plays wide receiver, but he was primarily used by the Hawkeyes as a kick returner during his time in Iowa City and was named to the All-Big 10 first team for his efforts.

Auburn had a kick return committee of cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett and running back Jarquez Hunter in 2021. Pritchett had 10 returns for an average of 31.3 yards, while Hunter had 10 returns for an average of 19.5 yards. Auburn’s primary punt returner was wideout Demetris Robertson, who returned 12 punts for an average of 7.4 yards.

Jones, meanwhile, returned 37 kicks for the Hawkeyes on an average of 7.7 yards per punt return and 25.4 yards per kick return with a touchdown. He would certainly be an experienced returner for the Tigers, but he also has some experience at wideout as well — he caught 21 passes for 323 yards and three touchdowns in 2021, so he could find some use in the receiving room if he were to pick Auburn.

The Tigers could use any weapons they can get, and Jones would be able to offer his talents in multiple facets of the game. Jones has not released a list of final schools in the running at this time.

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Iowa Hawkeyes’ Charlie Jones reportedly entering the transfer portal

According to On3’s Matt Zenitz, Iowa wide receiver and return specialist Charlie Jones has entered the NCAA transfer portal.

On3’s Matt Zenitz reported Wednesday that redshirt senior wide receiver and return specialist Charlie Jones has entered the NCAA transfer portal. Outside of entrants to the 2022 NFL draft and those whose eligibility expired, it’s the first major defection from the Hawkeyes’ program this offseason.

Jones originally arrived in Iowa City as a transfer from Buffalo where he had 18 receptions for 395 receiving yards and three touchdowns and also 15 kickoff returns for 289 yards in 2018.

After sitting out the 2019 season following his transfer, the 6-foot, 188 pound wide receiver and return specialist became an integral part of the Hawkeyes’ special teams during his time in Iowa City. He was also Iowa’s fourth-leading receiver last season, hauling in 21 grabs for 323 receiving yards. Jones tied for the team lead in touchdown receptions in 2021, matching tight end Sam LaPorta’s three touchdown grabs.

Jones led the Big Ten and finished 11th nationally with a 10.5 yards per punt return average in 2020. The Deerfield, Ill., native housed a 54-yard punt return against Michigan State on Nov. 7 during the 2020 season in Iowa’s 49-7 win over the Spartans.

As a result, Jones was named the first-team All-Big Ten return specialist by Phil Steele, second-team All-Big Ten return specialist by the league’s coaches and third-team All-Big Ten return specialist by the league’s media in 2020. He was also honored as a honorable mention All-America return specialist by Phil Steele and was the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week in 2020 after his return against Michigan State.

Then, last season he registered a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown against Illinois at the tail end of the first quarter to start Iowa’s rally against the Fighting Illini. After trailing 10-0 early, the Hawkeyes would go on to win, 33-23.

Jones took home the Rodgers-Dwight Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year and first-team All-Big Ten return specialist honors by the league’s coaches, media and Phil Steele in 2021. He was second-team All-Big Ten by the Associated Press last season.

Jones caught a 26-yard touchdown from quarterback Spencer Petras in Iowa’s 27-17 win in Ames, Iowa, over the rival Iowa State Cyclones last year. He also had a nine-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter of the Hawkeyes’ 23-20 win over then-No. 4 Penn State in week six of last season.

His final touchdown of 2021 came on a 72-yard touchdown grab from quarterback Alex Padilla versus Minnesota. It put Iowa ahead to stay in that 27-22 victory.

The loss of Jones means that Iowa’s pair of young wide receivers, sophomores Arland Bruce IV and Keagan Johnson, will be counted upon to enhance their production. The same can be said of redshirt senior wide receiver Nico Ragaini.

Of that trio, Johnson finished with 18 receptions for 352 receiving yards and a pair of touchdown grabs, Ragaini added 26 receptions for 331 receiving yards with one touchdown reception and Bruce tallied 25 grabs for 209 receiving yards and a touchdown reception in 2021.

The Hawkeyes also bring back their top pass catcher in tight end LaPorta. He finished 2021 with team-highs in receptions and receiving yards with 53 grabs and 670 receiving yards.

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A Big Ten transfer for Notre Dame to kick tires on

Are you on board?

Notre Dame’s lack of depth at wide receiver is well documented.  All even the least informed fan had to do understand this was to watch the [autotag]Fiesta Bowl[/autotag] when just three scholarship receivers were targeted while quarterback Jack Coan threw 68 passes.

One of those three is gone to the NFL as [autotag]Kevin Austin[/autotag], Jr. had 105 receiving yards that game and led Notre Dame in receiving yardage for the year.  Former walk-on returner [autotag]Matt Salerno[/autotag] received a scholarship this off-season but Notre Dame’s outlook at receiver still lacks any sort of depth whatsoever.

It just so happens a graduate student who received all Big Ten honors a year ago entered the transfer portal on Wednesday, and that player is from just outside Chicago.

[autotag]Charlie Jones[/autotag] began his collegiate career at Buffalo where he hauled in 18 receptions for 395 yards (21.9 ypr) and three touchdowns as a redshirt freshman in 2018.  He then transferred to Iowa where he played the last two seasons, hauling in 21 receptions for 323 yards (15.4 ypr) and three more scores last season.

Jones was also Iowa’s primary returner on both punts (7.7 ypr) and kickoffs (25.4 ypr) last season and was named the Big Ten’s Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year.

Jones attended Deerfield High School in Illinois, located just north of Chicago.

One would assume that [autotag]Chasni Stuckey[/autotag], [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag], and the rest of the Notre Dame staff are already reaching out to try and patchwork some of the receiver issues ahead of the 2022 season.

To my understanding this Charlie Jones is in no way related to the Charlie Jones whose golden pipes played at least a small part in me becoming a Notre Dame fan at a young age.

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