Tag: George Barnett

‘It’s a little bit of a mixed bag’: Iowa looking for offensive line breakthrough in final 5 games

Beginning today against Northwestern, Iowa is still searching for an offensive line breakthrough over the course of its final five games.

It’s the understatement of the century to say that Iowa (3-4, 1-3 Big Ten) is looking for offensive improvement over the course of its final five games. By now, everyone pretty much knows the stats.

The Hawkeyes own the nation’s worst total offense, averaging just 227.3 yards of total offense per game. Of course, in the all-important scoring offense category, Iowa ranks 128th with a 14.0 points per game scoring average.

Plenty of Iowa’s problems can be attributed to an offensive line that just hasn’t grown up quite enough just yet. Per Football Outsiders, Iowa’s stuff rate—carries by running backs that get stopped at or before the line of scrimmage—is 21.6% or 114th nationally. The Hawkeyes’ opportunity rate—percentage of carries (when four yards are available) that gain at least four yards, i.e. the percentage of carries in which the line does its job—is 38.1% or 129th nationally.

Moving left to right, Iowa’s primary starting offensive line has been redshirt sophomore left tackle Mason Richman, redshirt junior left guard Nick DeJong, redshirt sophomore center Logan Jones, redshirt freshman right guard Beau Stephens and sophomore right tackle Connor Colby. Richman, Jones, Stephens and Colby have started each game, while DeJong has five starts and redshirt sophomore Tyler Elsbury also has a pair.

According to Pro Football Focus, the snap counts look like this: Jones has played 415 snaps, Richman 410, Colby 366, Stephens 281, DeJong 224, Elsbury 193. Redshirt freshman Gennings Dunker has also seen 127 snaps and redshirt senior Jack Plumb has seen 87.

Regardless of whichever combination has been starting or seeing the bulk of the snaps, none of it has worked consistently well. Iowa ranks just 127th nationally in rushing offense, averaging a measly 81.4 rushing yards per game on 2.56 yards per attempt. The Hawkeyes have also surrendered 23 sacks in seven games, which ranks tied-117th nationally.

“It’s a little bit of a mixed bag to that point. I thought we made strides a couple weeks ago. I said that after whatever game it was, game four or five. I thought we made real strides and stalled out a little bit the last time out. Then, we had a bye. Last week was a tough outing. And so we’ll see how we bounce back this week. The guys are practicing well.

“I do think we’re seeing improvement on the field day to day. And so we’ll just keep pushing forward and I wish I could give you an exact answer when it’s going to happen or a timetable. But I’m confident the guys are working hard. They’ve got good attitudes. They’re good young people. We’re going to get there. It’s a matter sooner would be greater than later, that’s for sure,” Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz said of his team’s offensive line play thus far.

Ferentz was asked if the staff has considered moving Colby back inside to guard where he started 11 games last season. His response to the question illustrates some of the problems Iowa has run into.

“He actually played inside some later in the game later in the day. I think one of the takeaways if you looked at the first third down we had, he didn’t get out. Didn’t get out well. That’s something he struggled a little bit. It’s a technique thing. It’s not ability or mental. My takeaway on that would be that’s really been improving in practice. Like we’ve seen improvement. Been focused on that. He’s been focused on it. He’s been working on it. And then Saturday, that first third down, it didn’t happen for him.

“So as a coach, that’s our job to figure that out and say, maybe this isn’t the time for it because it’s not happening the way it needs to happen under game circumstances. Going back to the point of competition and live work versus lower tempo work. So we’re definitely looking at that and considering that. And that’s our job is to get guys in the best possible positions and ask them to do things they can be successful at. So we’re definitely looking at that,” Ferentz said.

What Ferentz mentions there with Colby is a proper illustration of some of the issues it seems Iowa has run into. For whatever reason, some of the positives the staff has been seeing in practice from its offensive line simply isn’t translating to games. Whatever the issue is or if a position change or two is the answer, Iowa is hoping it starts finding solutions soon before an opportunity at a bowl berth slips away.

The Hawkeyes host Northwestern today at 2:30 p.m. from Kinnick Stadium where Iowa looks to reverse its fortunes against the Wildcats.

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Unless Iowa rallies and wins the Big Ten West, has the 2022 book already been written?

Barring a second-half offensive resurgence that just doesn’t seem likely, has Iowa’s 2022 story already been written?

Part of the frustration with the Iowa Hawkeyes‘ (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten) start to the season is the feeling that it just might not really get much better the rest of the way. Wrapped up in that is the realization that Iowa’s chief goal entering the 2022 season—tangible offensive improvement—has been a complete failure as the numbers bear out below.

Time will obviously tell on that front in the Hawkeyes’ final six games whether or not much can be gained from this season, but offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Brian Ferentz didn’t share any groundbreaking answers on how to fix the offense last week in his anticipated meeting with the media.

“I think, obviously right now we’re all disappointed and frustrated by our performance offensively on Saturdays, but I’m proud of the preparation and the effort the guys have put in on a weekly basis, seven days a week. The effort and the preparation has been excellent.

“The reality is right now the production certainly hasn’t been what we expected, and it’s not meeting our level of expectation, most importantly. I felt like we had seen consistent improvement going into the Illinois week, but unfortunately, I think we took a step back that night over in Champaign,” Brian Ferentz said of the offense in his opening remarks.

As it currently sits, Iowa owns the nation’s No. 127 scoring offense at 14.7 points per game scored and the country’s dead last total offense. The Hawkeyes rush for just 82.2 yards per game, which ranks 127th. Iowa throws for just 156.5 yards per game, which ranks 120th.

One of the main catalysts for the Hawkeyes’ offensive failures are their continued struggles on third down. Iowa converts just 29.6% of the time on third down, which is down from the 34% conversion rate the Hawkeyes had a season ago and ranks 124th nationally.

Iowa’s red zone offense has gotten worse as compared to last season, too. For a team that ranked 122nd nationally in red zone offense in 2021, that’s hard to do. Still, the Hawkeyes have accomplished just that, scoring on just two-thirds of their red zone trips. Thus far, Iowa has turned 12 red zone trips into just 40 points, or three rushing touchdowns, one passing touchdown and four field goals.

Give Iowa credit in at least one respect. The Hawkeyes are turning it over less than they did in 2021 so far with just six combined turnovers, three fumbles lost and three interceptions. That’s the only area Iowa has improved offensively, though.

Yards per play is down from 4.67 last season to just 4.09 per play this season. Iowa only averaged 65.1 offensive plays per game last season and that figure is down to 58.3 offensive plays per game on average.

All of this is to say that Iowa has failed miserably in its main goal entering 2022, which was to see marked offensive improvement. Instead, at the midway point, the Hawkeyes have actually seen almost universal offensive regression in the key statistical categories.

Unless the Iowa coaching staff has a trick up its sleeve it’s not revealed yet, it doesn’t look or sound like there’s any immediate offensive changes to expect.

“Right now, I don’t think that was the problem tonight. I mean, as I stood there and watched. In fact, I thought Spencer (Petras) did some good things,” Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz said when asked if the staff would evaluate a potential quarterback change. “Missed a couple throws and that’s probably going to be every quarterback every game. Yeah, my guess is that’s what we’re going to be doing, but we’ll talk about everything.”

Ferentz shot down the idea of replacing his son as offensive coordinator, too.

“Making the change? No, no, no, no. I mean, we won 10 games last year. I don’t know if you’re aware of that, but…so, I look at that, and we’ve won a lot of games since 2015. So, you know, we’re not doing well enough right now. I think that’s fairly obvious and we’re going to work on solutions, figure out what we can do to get better,” Ferentz said.

Again, Iowa probably is what it is. There’s no wholesale changes to be had or to be expected.

“It’s a tough loss, but, no, we are who we are right now and we can’t change dramatically but hopefully we can find some ways to be more effective. To the point earlier, I think you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to understand we need to score more points,” Ferentz said.

Therein lies the crux of the problem for Iowa. Everyone, including the coaching staff, understands that offensive improvement was the primary objective entering the season and recognizes it remains the biggest key for the Hawkeyes’ potential success the rest of the way. Having said that, there’s no tinkering taking place and therefore expecting better results seems like a foolhardy gamble.

It’s college football so it’s never impossible, but a win at Ohio State this weekend for Iowa feels as unlikely as maybe ever before. Drop this contest and suddenly Iowa is 3-4 (1-3 Big Ten) with one of those losses to perhaps the Hawkeyes’ now primary competition for the Big Ten West in Illinois.

Nobody else in the West looks like any kind of immovable object and it’s not unfeasible that Illinois could drop three of its final five games and wind up in a three-way tie with the Hawkeyes if Iowa manages to control its own destiny following Ohio State and win out.

Still, banking on the likelihood of any of that seems crazy at this stage. And, again, it all hinges on whether or not Iowa can improve in any way, shape or form offensively. Right now, none of that seems particularly likely, which brings us to the point of this piece.

Has the story on the 2022 Iowa season already been written? If it was about offensive improvement, then it doesn’t look or feel like that’s around the corner at any stop particularly soon. Is this season just about the slow grind toward Brian Ferentz’s inevitable firing? Or will it be offensive line coach George Barnett that’s let go instead?

Or, will none of that happen and Hawkeye fans will simply be sent on this tortured merry-go-round once more next season? Staff changes aside, it feels like Hawkeye fans already know that this 2022 season isn’t what they’d hoped it would be.

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Just like his predecessor, Logan Jones is taking command of Iowa’s center job following switch

Like his predecessor, Logan Jones has made the switch from defensive line to center and the early returns sound like a perfect match.

It almost sounds way too good to be true. Surely, the Iowa Hawkeyes aren’t going to be able to pull off this defensive line to center stardom swap all over again this swiftly, right?

The early returns sound like that’s exactly what might be in store for Logan Jones. After making the switch from heralded defensive line recruit to offensive line during the spring, Jones has ascended to the top of the depth chart at center.

It’s a familiar tale to the man he will be replacing in former Hawkeyes center Tyler Linderbaum. Iowa offensive line coach George Barnett says that Jones is settling in nicely for the Hawkeyes.

“Well, he’s a natural, gifted athlete. He’s smart. He’s tough, so he just needs reps. The more he gets, the more comfortable he is in those situations. He’s up for a challenge, which you have to do if you’ve never snapped a football before. Now, it’s time to snap a ball and he’s been running with the ones for a couple weeks. He just brings a lot to the table. Now, the challenge is getting him enough reps to see as many different looks and things as we can,” Barnett said.

After arriving as a four-star defensive lineman, it doesn’t sound or feel like lip service when Jones says he thinks Iowa’s offensive line is the perfect fit for himself.

“I definitely feel like I’m better at this position, or I like it more than I did defensive line. Although I love the defensive line like coach (Kelvin) Bell and all them and I’m still super close to those guys, I just feel like center is just more natural I’d say. The guys in the room, I love to play with,” Jones said.

The redshirt sophomore was part of the Hawkeyes’ 2020 class and he’s happy to be joining several players that he came in with.

“Oh, absolutely. I know Mason (Richman) was in my class, (Tyler) Elsbury was in my class and then Connor (Colby) was one below me. So, I mean, we’re all, I’d say we’re pretty close. Just being able to play with them and go out there (is fun). They really helped me with my transition and everything, just making calls. They really helped me adjust to the position, so it’s just been a lot of fun,” Jones said.

As Jones mentioned, one of those pieces is likely left guard Tyler Elsbury. While there is still growing and learning to do, Jones said he and Elsbury work well together so far.

“Yeah, I’d say so. I mean, we get stuff down, but we obviously mess things up. It’s just part of the game, but I’d say we work pretty well together. We communicate just like we should,” Jones said.

Ultimately, he’s just thrilled to be alongside this entire unit for Iowa.

“Four other guys on the offensive line. We’re like a team within a team, so getting close to those guys and playing with them is so much fun. I really enjoy it,” Jones said.

Asked if perhaps things might have played out differently had he not gotten hurt early last season, Jones isn’t worried about looking back and wondering what if.

“Yeah, that is a tough question. I don’t know what would have happened. Maybe I would have played and got switched. I don’t know, but God works in mysterious ways and I think this was his plan for me,” Jones said.

At a position that 247Sports tabbed as one of the Big Ten’s top 10 position battles, Jones seems at peace, even enthused about the move. Given how he’s impressed the coaching staff, it looks like it just might be another match made in offensive line heaven for the Hawkeyes.

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Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Connor Colby flexing his versatility

Iowa offensive lineman Connor Colby has been working at both guard and tackle, showcasing his versatility for the Hawkeyes.

Iowa offensive lineman Connor Colby has been showcasing his versatility, working at both offensive guard and tackle during the Hawkeyes’ 2022 training camp.

It’s already been important and figures to remain that way, too. Unfortunately, the Hawkeyes lost guard Justin Britt for the season, and while these aren’t season-ending injuries and don’t seem particularly serious listening to the Iowa coaching staff, both Mason Richman and Nick DeJong sat out during the Hawkeyes’ open scrimmage at the Kids’ Day at Kinnick.

After a season in which Colby started each of Iowa’s final 11 games at right guard, the ideal destination is probably to keep the 6-foot-6, 308 pound offensive lineman right there on the inside. Still, his versatility is something the Hawkeye coaching staff has to love.

Listening to Colby at Iowa Media Day, he’s fine so long as he’s got a spot on the field.

“I mean it’s been fun, anything I can do to be out there and play football. It’s a change up every now and then, keeps me on my toes,” Colby said.

Ultimately, Colby is keeping any inherent differences between guard and tackle pretty simplistic.

“You have to be ready no matter what, because no matter what there’s going to be a good guy across from you and you have to be ready to handle them,” Colby said.

In terms of bright futures in Iowa City, Colby’s would have to be right toward the top of the list. As a true freshman, Colby garnered All-America status from the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and the Maxwell Football Club.

Thanks to his standout true frosh campaign, Colby has been picking up recognition before this 2022 season boots off. Phil Steele named Colby a preseason second-team All-Big Ten selection, while Athlon Sports handed out preseason third-team All-Big Ten status to the sophomore.

With plenty expected of Colby, he’s just happy to be fully settled into what Iowa offensive line coach George Barnett and the Hawkeyes are asking of him.

“This year I have a better understanding of what’s going. I need to keep improving my fundamentals in order to make a big difference from this year to last year,” Colby said.

The Hawkeyes head into 2022 as one of the favorites in the Big Ten West. As the defending West division champion, there’s a laundry list of games that could fit the billing as one of the Hawkeyes’ most important.

Colby isn’t ready to iron down which one he’s looking forward to the most.

“I am excited for all of them, but I think the first time back in Kinnick Stadium will be fun. Coming out of the tunnel again, experiencing the atmosphere of all the fans. And they are all sold out this year, which is a testament to our loyal fan support,” Colby said.

As Iowa looks to get more out of its offense in 2022, one of the reasons for optimism is the man from Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Colby epitomizes a lot of the Hawkeyes’ hopes along their offensive line.

Similar to several of his teammates, the hope is his inexperience from last season morphs into seasoned play in 2022.

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ESPN names Iowa as one of its top schools recruiting offensive linemen

ESPN is showing Iowa’s recruiting efforts some love, naming the Hawkeyes as one of the nation’s top offensive line recruiters.

When you think of Iowa football, your attention doesn’t really go directly to recruiting. While a successful program, the Hawkeyes do not really have the track record of competing with schools the likes of Ohio State for recruit signatures. Coach Kirk Ferentz knows some of the limitations placed on his program as compared to some others. Typically, Ferentz focuses his attention on team building and player development.

Iowa has done very well at identifying three-star athletes who are system and cultural fits, and turning them into the next crop of players. This is mostly how the Hawkeyes have operated for years, with a lot of success, but the gears are starting to turn a bit.

Again, while they may not be able to compete on a consistent basis with the likes of Alabama and Georgia, they have shown the ability to snag a marquee player on top of their typically strong recruiting.

The area where Iowa can really compete is on the offensive line. In Tom VanHaaren of ESPN’s look at which college football teams have been recruiting the best on offense, the Hawkeyes were one of his picks at the offensive line position.

It’s rare to see a head-to-head recruiting battle between Iowa and Alabama, but the Hawkeyes ultimately won out for in-state five-star tackle Kadyn Proctor. The No. 6 recruit overall, Proctor had nearly every major program after him, but ultimately chose Iowa.

Iowa’s staff already has some younger players at tackle on the roster, including Mason Richman, Tyler Elsbury and a few others, so there won’t be a ton of pressure for Proctor play right away if he’s not ready. The staff also has commitments from three-stars Trevor Lauck, Leighton Jones and Cannon Leonard in this class. – VanHaaren, ESPN.

The commitment of Kadyn Proctor is the perfect example of the strides Iowa is making in recruting. They’ve done extremely well on the offensive line and gotten some really solid recruits.

They have gained a trio of three-star recruits in this class in Trevor Lauck, Leighton Jones and Cannon Leonard. Both Mason Richman and Tyler Elsbury are showcasing the patented Hawkeye player-development magic. Richman shows a ton of potential at left tackle, and Elsbury figures to start at left guard this year.

On top of their typical recruiting class, we’ve also seen Iowa nab a dang good offensive lineman in the past two classes. Connor Colby, a guard that should have been mentioned, was a four-star recruit who started a majority of games as a freshman last year.

And then you have Kadyn Proctor. It is rare to see a team like Iowa beat out Alabama for a recruit, especially when you consider that Alabama is also kind of an offensive lineman factory. Of course, he was an in-state player, but it’s hard to turn down Nick Saban when you are a top-10 overall recruit. And yet, Proctor is set to become a Hawkeye.

Iowa may never be able to recruit on a national level with the likes of Alabama, Georgia, or Ohio State. It’s never been their recipe for success. However, it is becoming evident that Iowa can pull top offensive lineman recruits to Iowa City, and the Hawkeyes have a track record of sending them to the league. We’ll have to see if they can bring in more elite tier offensive line recruits like Proctor in the future.

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A look at all of the Iowa Hawkeyes’ assistant coaches’ 2022 base salaries following raises

Iowa’s assistant football coaches saw salary raises across the board. What do their 2022 salaries now look like?

Salary figures obtained by USA TODAY Sports through an open-records request and reported on by The Register’s Chad Leistikow reveal that Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz got his wish.

As Hawk Central’s Kennington Lloyd Smith III touched on, one of Ferentz’s stipulations when he inked his new contract was to increase his assistant coaches’ salary pool to $7 million annually as a group.

Of course, Ferentz signed his new contract that extends him as the Hawkeyes’ head football coach through the 2029 season and that’s precisely what’s happened for his assistants. Collectively, Ferentz’s 10 on-field assistants and his strength coach combine for $6.95 million in annual salary.

Here’s a look at the big raises his assistant coaches saw across the board.

Can year two under George Barnett yield an OL breakthrough for the Iowa Hawkeyes?

Can year two under Iowa Hawkeyes offensive line coach George Barnett yield a return to form and more impressive results?

Stop us if you’ve heard and seen this song and dance before. Iowa struggled to move the football and put up points in 2021. The Hawkeyes finished 99th in scoring offense and 121st in total offense.

At this point in the offseason, it’s like Beauty and the Beast’s “Tale As Old As Time.”

While quarterback Spencer Petras has oftentimes been the focal point of the fanbase’s ire, his offensive line left plenty to be desired as well last season. Iowa ranked 68th nationally in sacks allowed and the running game never really found its rhythm, finishing ranked No. 102 after averaging 123.6 rushing yards per game.

Redshirt senior Jack Plumb is part of a group that returns and features 44 career starts. Plumb, Iowa’s projected 6-foot-7, 296 pound starting right tackle, has nine career starts and started each of the team’s final seven games of last season.

Redshirt junior Justin Britt returns at left guard where he started Iowa’s first three games in 2021. At right guard, sophomore Connor Colby brings back 11 consecutive starts at the position to close last year.

At right tackle, Plumb and redshirt junior Nick DeJong split time last season. DeJong started Iowa’s first seven and Plumb the final seven.

Of course, center is where Iowa has to replace All-American and first-round 2022 NFL draft pick Tyler Linderbaum. Redshirt sophomore Tyler Elsbury, redshirt senior Matt Fagan and redshirt sophomore Logan Jones will battle it out during the fall to lock down that starting role.

Jones is trying to follow in the footsteps of Linderbaum as a player that Iowa signed as a defensive lineman and converted to the offensive line. Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz touched on his progress during the spring where he said Jones has “transferrable skills.”

Outside of Linderbaum, Iowa really battled the inexperience bug along its offensive line in 2021. Plumb met with the media for the first time since the spring and updated his summer progress and where he feels the group is at heading into 2022 fall camp.

One of the items he touched on jumped out. Plumb was asked about offensive line coach George Barnett.

“He’s pretty mellow, but he’s funny. He’s got a good way of telling stories and I love the way he coaches and everything. He’s big into family and about the room. Just being around us, having the guys be around each other all the time,” Plumb said of Barnett.

Keep in mind, Barnett is entering his second season leading the Hawkeyes’ offensive line. It’s something that Plumb feels has helped his group this offseason.

“It was cool. We know exactly what we’re going to get every day now. We aren’t worrying about the new guy, how is he going to act and everything. We know exactly what he’s going to get and it’s awesome having him around. I love him,” Plumb said.

When thinking about how Iowa’s offensive line can improve in 2022, the continuity with Barnett combined with the Hawkeyes’ offensive line having more collective starting experience seems like a nice recipe for a running game resurgence.

That would certainly be a welcome sight for the Hawkeyes’ quarterbacks in Petras, Alex Padilla and Joe Labas. It’s also great news for running backs Gavin Williams and Leshon Williams who are looking to replace Tyler Goodson’s 1,151 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns.

There’s still plenty to be sorted out with Iowa’s offensive line throughout fall camp, namely who will start at center, but a second season working with Barnett and plenty of familiar faces should be a terrific starting point.

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6 items with Iowa Hawkeyes offensive tackle Jack Plumb ahead of 2022 fall camp

Iowa Hawkeyes offensive tackle Jack Plumb met with the media, updating his summer progress and where the offensive line is at entering 2022.

Redshirt senior Jack Plumb will be counted upon to help guide Iowa’s offensive line in 2022. There’s hope that he and the rest of the Hawkeyes’ offensive linemen can kiss growing pains goodbye and deliver more of what Iowa fans have come to expect from this group.

In his first meeting with the media since the spring, Plumb spoke with HawkeyeReport‘s Tom Kakert and others to discuss his summer and his early thoughts on Iowa’s group heading into this upcoming college football season.

Let’s take a look below at everything Plumb had to say.

Mason Richman enjoying newfound comfort level, focusing on team mindset

After starting 12 games at left tackle in 2021, Mason Richman is comfortable and taking a team mindset with him into the 2022 season.

Mason Richman started 12 games last season for Iowa at left tackle as a redshirt freshman. Now, he knows what to expect from Big Ten football as he enters his second season of starting work with the Hawkeyes.

The 6-foot-6, 296 pound offensive tackle out of Blue Valley High School in Leawood, Kan., is one of five players with returning starting experience for Iowa. The Hawkeyes also return starting right guard Connor Colby and Jack Plumb. Colby started the final 11 games, while Plumb started each of the final seven games of the season.

Iowa brings back Justin Britt and Nick DeJong, too. Britt started the first three games of 2021 at right guard and DeJong the first seven at right tackle. All of that has to make Iowa offensive line coach George Barnett excited about what his group’s potential could be in 2022.

Richman met with Hawk Central and the Iowa media to discuss his newfound comfort level heading into 2022, his thoughts on the Hawkeyes’ offensive line and what he’s emphasizing for himself this season.

2023 offensive tackle Cannon Leonard commits to the Iowa Hawkeyes

One day after receiving his offer, 2023 offensive tackle Cannon Leonard announced his commitment to the Iowa Hawkeyes.

One day after receiving his offer from Iowa, class of 2023 offensive tackle Cannon Leonard announced his commitment to the Hawkeyes. The 6-foot-9, 265 pound offensive tackle is out of Iroquois West High School in Gilman, Ill.

According to 247Sports, Leonard is a two-star talent, the nation’s No. 149 offensive tackles and the No. 73 player from the state of Illinois. Meanwhile, Rivals ranks Leonard as a three-star offensive tackle.

“After taking time to talk with my family, I have decided that I will be committing to further my academic and athletic career at The University of Iowa #SWARM23,” Leonard wrote in his Twitter announcement.

Leonard joins three-star Leighton Jones as an offensive line commit in the Hawkeyes’ 2023 class. Jones is regarded as the country’s No. 31 interior offensive lineman and the No. 5 player from Indiana by 247Sports.

Leonard also joins athlete Zach Lutmer out of Central Lyon High School, athlete Aidan Hall out of Harlan Community High School, edge rusher and defensive end David Caulker out of North High School, and running back Kendrick Raphael out of Naples High School as Iowa commits over the past two months.

Ahead of his commitment today to Iowa, HawkeyeReport editor Blair Sanderson of Rivals caught up with Leonard to discuss his offer from Iowa and the relationship Leonard has been able to foster with Hawkeye offensive line coach George Barnett.

“The main thing that impressed him and the rest of the staff was when I really showed out and had an amazing performance at their camp two weeks ago,” Leonard said. “I was amazed. Iowa has always been a school I have looked at, especially with how important offensive line play is to them.”

Leonard chose the Hawkeyes over other offers from schools such as Army, Ball State, Florida Atlantic, Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois and Western Illinois.

With the commitment, Iowa’s 2023 class has grown to 12 commits overall. Here’s a look at Leonard’s Hudl highlights from his junior season at Iroquois West High School, his recruiting profile and the Hawkeyes’ full list of 2023 commits.