Tag: Hawkeyes Football

Where do Iowa quarterbacks Spencer Petras, Alex Padilla land in ESPN’s FBS quarterback tiers?

ESPN recently ranked every FBS team’s starting quarterback situations. Where did Iowa’s Spencer Petras and Alex Padilla wind up?

Have you ever wondered what tier every quarterback situation in college football is in and how they rank amongst their peers? Me too! With sickos like us in mind, ESPN’s David M. Hale embarked on the massive project and ranked every FBS quarterback situation into tiers.

Ranked in the 15th tier labeled “This is fine dot gif” are both Iowa quarterbacks Spencer Petras and Alex Padilla. The tier referencing the popular meme of the dog saying “This is Fine” as the house around him burns isn’t really the most glowing endorsement of Iowa’s quarterback situation.

Here’s how Hale described this group of quarterbacks in the 15th tier.

These teams combined to finish 49-19 last year, with all five winning at least nine games. Of those 19 losses, however, 11 came in games when they scored 21 or fewer. The QB play was something akin to driving a 2002 Honda Civic — slow, unsexy, but usually reliable enough to get from Point A to Point B — right up until the wheels fall off and the engine catches fire. – Hale, ESPN.

Other quarterbacks in the tier include Northern Illinois’ Rocky Lombardi, UAB’s Dylan Hopkins, San Diego State’s Braxton Burmeister (remember when Virginia Tech chose him over Hendon Hooker last year?), and all three of UCF’s potential starters. Again, not the most glowing endorsement for Iowa’s quarterback situation.

Looking at some fellow Big Ten quarterbacks, it should be no surprise that Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud is leading the 1st tier of “Heisman or Bust.” Stroud is an early candidate for the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft. A bit further down the list in the “Pretty… Pretty Good” third tier is Purdue passer Aidan O’Connell.

The “You might not have noticed, but they’re pretty good” seventh tier hosts a number of Big Ten quarterbacks including the Michigan boys Cade McNamara and J.J. McCarthy, Michigan State’s Payton Thorne, and Maryland’s Taulia Tagovailoa. It should be noted that former Nebraska Cornhusker turned Kansas State Wildcat Adrian Martinez joins this tier as well.

While Petras and Padilla might not have the praises of some of the other Big Ten quarterbacks, Penn State’s Sean Clifford and Minnesota’s Tanner Morgan ranked above them in the “Veterans With Moxie” ninth tier, they at least aren’t the lowest-ranked in the conference.

Northwestern’s Ryan Hilinski, Illinois’ Tommy DeVito and Artur Sitkowski, and Rutgers’ Noah Vedral and Gavin Wimsatt make up the “technically, they’re Power 5 QBs” 18th tier… ouch.

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Dallas Clark announced as inductee into the Iowa Hawkeyes’ 2022 Hall of Fame Class

Former Iowa and NFL great Dallas Clark has officially been announced as one of the Hawkeyes’ inductees in its 2022 Hall of Fame Class.

Former tight end and long-time NFL great Dallas Clark is joining the Iowa Hawkeyes Hall of Fame as a part of their 2022 class. Clark is set to be inducted along with the rest of Iowa’s 33rd class of inductees.

The class includes field hockey’s Amy Fowler, wrestling’s Dan Holm, softball’s Kari Knopf, baseball’s Keith Noreen, golf’s George Roddy, and swimming’s Nancilea Underwood.

Clark spent the 1999-2002 seasons as part of the Hawkeyes football program where he began his career as a linebacker prior to the switch to tight end in his second year.

The move proved to be very fruitful as Clark eventually won the John Mackey Award given to the best tight end in college football, was an All-Big Ten first team selection, a unanimous first-team All-American, and an eventual first round NFL draft pick by the Indianapolis Colts in 2003.

In just two seasons as a tight end, Clark provided the Hawkeyes with 1,281 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

“This one caught me off guard. You know, I think, yeah, it’s certainly something you don’t just sit around and, you know, like wonder, ‘Oh, is it going to happen?’ All I do know is, every year going back to games and seeing that Hall of Fame Class on the field and just seeing some fellow teammates, some fellow athletes that were on campus when I was on campus, and just feeling a sense of pride of like, ‘Man, I remember reading about that person in The Daily Iowan. Or, I remember going to that person’s game and watching them wrestle, or play volleyball or what have you and play basketball.’

“And, I’m in with that crowd, in that family, in that group. Honestly, I can’t even, you know, it’s an unbelievable honor. Especially when all I was…my five-year plan was to just make special teams. That was the start. That’s all. I just wanted that letterman’s jacket. I mean, come on now. We kid ourselves, but, if you didn’t switch me, we would still just be talking about how do I coach better? Because I’d probably be a teacher and a coach right now, which isn’t a bad thing, which would be phenomenal, but certainly wouldn’t have had the career I had as a linebacker. And so any time, especially when it comes to Iowa football, something, an accolade or a recognition I get, you obviously are the first person to come to mind for that switch and obviously giving me a chance. It was just an unbelievable fit,” Clark said in a video call with Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz.

Clark went on to play 11 seasons in the NFL, the majority with the Colts and quarterback Peyton Manning, where he added a Super Bowl ring to his collection in 2006.

His NFL career saw him appear in 143 games. Throughout his 11 seasons, Clark tallied 5,665 receiving yards and 53 touchdowns. His 2009 season saw him receive recognition as a Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection.

Clark played an important role in helping turn Iowa into a program that is now known for their tight ends that they send to the NFL. His collegiate and NFL career helped continue to establish the long lineage of successful Iowa tight ends that is still very alive and well today.

Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta looks like the next player set to join that list alongside Clark as former Hawkeyes that have turned into impact NFL tight ends.

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Iowa Hawkeyes 2022 schedule breakdown: Rutgers

Rutgers is starting to turn things around a bit under Greg Schiano. Will they pose a threat to Iowa in the Hawkeyes’ first away game?

Finally, a road game. After starting off the 2022 season with the first three games at home, the Hawkeyes start their Big Ten slate in Piscataway, N.J., against Rutgers.

After a disastrous era under former head coach Chris Ash, last year the Scarlet Knights really started to make some progress under now-Rutgers head football coach Greg Schiano. The Ash era included an 8-33 overall record, a 3-27 mark in Big Ten play and three of his four seasons were winless conference campaigns. Now, Rutgers is starting to become somewhat respectable again with Schiano back at the helm.

While 5-7 overall and 3-8 in Big Ten games aren’t the most glamorous records in the world, they are miles better than previous years for a Scarlet Knights program that has really struggled to adjust to the Big Ten. They still weren’t that good, but certainly don’t appear close to as bad as the squad that lost 78-0 at home against Michigan in 2016.

While 2021 was one of the more respectable years in program history, Rutgers lost some key players on offense. Wide receiver Bo Melton and running back Isiah Pacheco both were selected in the 2022 NFL draft and will be big losses for the Scarlet Knights.

Schiano is starting to build something in North Jersey, bringing in two four-star recruits in the 2022 recruiting class, but it is yet to be seen whether or not they can take another step forward this coming season. Here are the opposing players to watch during Iowa’s first away game of the season against Rutgers.

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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Iowa Hawkeyes Snapshot Profile: No. 85 Logan Lee

After a breakout season in 2021, defensive tackle Logan Lee will be counted on to take another step forward in 2022.

The interior defensive line is one of the areas of strength on the Iowa defense. The interior features multiple starting-caliber returning players, including redshirt junior Logan Lee. Finally healthy, Lee emerged as a leader on the line in 2021, racking up 48 total tackles with five for a loss. He earned a team hustle award on defense. Going into his redshirt junior season, Lee will be seen as a leader and expected to take his game up another notch.

In high school, Lee was a two-sport star. A tight end and defensive end at Orion High School, Lee was also a two-time state wrestling champion in the state of Illinois. Wrestling is a sport that correlates greatly with football. The legendary John Madden once expressed that he would have all of his linemen wrestle if he could. Wrestling helps linemen with their hips, hands, balance, and overall attitude. Lee is just the latest in a long list of wrestlers turned very good football players.

Preseason Player Profile

Hometown: Orion, Ill.

Ht: 6-5

Wt: 277

Class in 2022: Redshirt junior

247Sports composite ranking

2019 three-star / No. 21 Tight End / No. 7 Player in Illinois

Career Stats

Defense & Fumbles Table
Tackles Def Int Fumbles
Year School Conf Class Pos G Solo Ast Tot Loss Sk Int Yds Avg TD PD FR Yds TD FF
2020 Iowa Big Ten FR DL 1 1 0 1 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0
*2021 Iowa Big Ten SO DL 14 17 31 48 5.0 3.0 0 0 0 1 1 0
Career Iowa 18 31 49 5.0 3.0 0 0 0 1 1 0
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 5/25/2022.

Depth Chart Overview

Lee will once again start at defensive tackle for the Hawkeyes, appearing to continue his partnership with redshirt senior Noah Shannon, though don’t be surprised if Lukas Van Ness gets some time next to him. Next to some serious returning talent, including senior leader at defensive end John Waggoner, Lee will be expected to become a true star for a very strong Iowa defense.

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247Sports crowns Iowa Hawkeyes’ Keagan Johnson as a ‘unicorn’ for the 2022 season

Iowa Hawkeyes receiver Keagan Johnson has found himself as one of the few ‘unicorns’ in the country for the 2022 season per 247Sports.

Hold the phone. The Iowa Hawkeyes’ defense is not the only ones getting national media recognition. There is some notice getting put onto a young star that began to blossom in the 2021 season.

That would be sophomore receiver Keagan Johnson. The explosive receiver has been labeled as one of only 15 ‘unicorns’ by 247Sports for the upcoming 2022 season. 247Sports’ Will Backus believes Johnson is an example of the modern-day player that can expose defenses in multiple ways.

College football offenses love gadget players. Johnson fits that mold perfectly. He is one of the fastest players in the country, regardless of position, and had three catches of 40-plus yards last season as a freshman — the same as all of Iowa’s other receivers combined. Averaging 19.6 yards per catch, he is a big play waiting to happen. The Hawkeyes would do well moving him all over the field and, given his ability after the catch, they could drum up some packages utilizing him in the backfield. – Backus, 247Sports.

One does not have to look too far to see how explosive Johnson is and the playmaking ability that he possesses. As a true freshman last year, he was able to be a catalyst to an offense that needed sparks at times to move the ball. Johnson’s ability to produce chunk plays and generate excitement as soon as the ball touches his hands definitely constitutes him as a ‘unicorn.’

Below shows how multi-faceted the young receiver is. There is the run after catch talent, the strength to break tackles, and the ability to win deep.

Yards after catch

Strength

Explosiveness

As the Hawkeyes gear up for the upcoming 2022 season, the offense could lean heavily on Keagan Johnson to expose defenses in multiple ways that he has already shown he can do.

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Olando Trader, class of 2022 cornerback, decommits from Iowa Hawkeyes

Olando Trader, consensus three-star recruit out of Michigan, has announced that he is decommitting from the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Olando Trader has announced via his Twitter that is he decommitting from the Iowa Hawkeyes and opening up his recruitment once again. Trader is a consensus three-star recruit across the major recruiting outlets of Rivals, 247Sports, and On3.

Trader had previously committed to Iowa on December 15, 2021 and was expected to be arriving on campus in June for summer camp leading into the 2022 season. He was part of a 2022 class that included two other defensive backs, Deshaun Lee and Xavier Nwankpa.

The 2022 recruit is out of Jackson High School in Jackson, Michigan. Trader is 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds. He has been known for his exceptional speed in which helped him excel as a track athlete along with football as he posted a 10.84 100-meter dash.

Per 247Sports composite rating, Trader is the No. 19 player coming out of Michigan, the No. 56 cornerback overall, and No. 628 recruit in the class of 2022.

Olando Trader had offers come in from the University of Central Michigan, Nebraska, and Vanderbilt that could come back into play with this changing of events. With summer camps rapidly approaching, rosters getting filled out, and scholarships being utilized, it could be very likely Trader finds a new home soon that suits him as best as possible.

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Ravens feel Hawkeyes center Tyler Linderbaum will help Lamar Jackson soar

The Baltimore Ravens feel their first round pick, Iowa Hawkeyes center Tyler Linderbaum, will help quarterback Lamar Jackson soar.

After the Baltimore Ravens traded away their quarterback Lamar Jackson’s favorite target, Marquise “Hollywood” Brown to the Arizona Cardinals during the 2022 NFL draft, they selected former Iowa Hawkeyes center Tyler Linderbaum.

As ESPN’s Jamison Hensley wrote, the Ravens have high hopes and an even higher belief that the Hawkeye will help their quarterback take another step forward in an already impressive career.

With the Ravens’ run-happy offense paired with Jackson’s explosiveness on the ground to break down defenses, Linderbaum fits their scheme exceptionally well and makes almost too much sense. At Iowa, Linderbaum was consistently finding his way to the second level to take on linebackers and unlucky defensive backs. That trend should continue as he commands the offensive line for Jackson.

“My job is to protect him [Jackson]; I’m excited to get that opportunity,” Linderbaum said. “Every snap, every down, I’m going to have to bring it, because obviously it’s a tough league. Every guy across from me is going to be tough. But just the mentality I’m going to bring, just that gritty toughness, physical, I’m going to bring it just to protect him and keep him safe.”

As Hensley discussed, the pipeline from Iowa City to the Baltimore Ravens is well established. Iowa Hawkeyes head football coach Kirk Ferentz spent two years coaching the Ravens’ offensive line before finding home at Iowa.

The Ravens feel great about Linderbaum and there is great reason to. He was an All-American, a winner of a long list of awards, and an even greater person for donating NIL money to the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital. Their general manager Eric DeCosta praised Linderbaum as one of the best at his position he has ever seen.

“You’re talking about one of the best technicians — strong, physical, tough, quick-footed,” DeCosta said. “Somebody said it on TV: If he was an inch taller and his arms were a half-inch longer, he would’ve been a top 5 pick, and I believe that. He’s probably one of the better centers we’ve seen come out in a long time.”

The Ravens also got perennial Pro Bowler Marshal Yanda from the Hawkeyes and are looking to strike gold twice. That is a bet I would feel is safe to make.

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Iowa linebacker Jestin Jacobs allowed only one touchdown in coverage in 2021

Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Jestin Jacobs not only stuffed the run in 2021, he only allowed a single touchdown while in pass coverage.

The national media seems to be awakening more and more each day to the large and upcoming realization that is the Iowa Hawkeyes linebackers. This time it is junior linebacker Jestin Jacobs getting some love from the media outlets.

The junior from Englewood, Ohio, was the Hawkeyes’ fifth-leading tackler last year with 53 tackles in 2021. Not only does Jacobs play stout run defense, but his ability in the passing game is just as good. Per Pro Football Focus, Jacobs only allowed one touchdown in pass coverage in 2021.

This statistic speaks to one of the strengths that Jacobs brings to the table. His athleticism and speed within the sideline-to-sideline play has caught the eye of NFL scouts and should only continue to gain more traction with the upcoming season.

With the modern-era of football making running backs viable pass catchers, linebackers have to be able to run in space and make plays in pass coverage. Jacobs’ ability to do this should prove to be a huge asset for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Jestin Jacobs is paired with Jack Campbell, his linebacking partner that has collected a handful of PFF recognition as the best run stopper in the Power Five along with being a 2023 NFL draft riser.

Also alongside Jacobs is the third part of the linebacker crew, Seth Benson. While a little bit more under the radar and less discussed, Benson is a vital piece of Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker’s defense and trailed only Campbell in tackles. Benson had 105 tackles in the 2021 season.

This recognition joins an ever-growing list of leaderboards we are seeing Hawkeyes appear on. This might be one of the first times we see Jacobs’ name getting national news, but it can be expected that it will not be the last time.

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Iowa Hawkeyes’ Keagan Johnson hosting youth camp with NFL stars Cade Johnson, Noah Fant

Iowa’s Keagan Johnson announced that he and his brother, Seattle Seahawk Cade Johnson, will be hosting a camp with former Hawkeye Noah Fant.

Iowa starting wide receiver Keagan Johnson has just announced that his summer camp will feature an NFL star and former Hawkeye great. Johnson and his brother, Cade Johnson of the Seattle Seahawks, will be hosting “The Johnson Brothers Football Camp” in June.

The brothers’ camp will be focused on providing insight for quarterbacks and receivers. The camp is June 18th at 6 p.m. CT at Bellevue West Football Field. Joining the Johnson brothers is former Iowa Hawkeye tight end Noah Fant.

Fant was recently traded to the Seahawks this offseason after beginning his career with the Denver Broncos. His time in Iowa City is fondly remembered for the performances he put on that boosted him to being a first-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft. Fant ended his Iowa career with 78 receptions, 19 touchdown grabs and 1,083 receiving yards.

Cade Johnson is currently a member of the Seattle Seahawks. In a fun twist, he spent his collegiate career as a member of the South Dakota State Jackrabbits. That happens to be Iowa’s opening matchup at Kinnick Stadium on September 22.

Meanwhile, Keagan Johnson is expected to be one of the primary weapons on an Iowa offense that is looking for his playmaking ability to take the next leap. Johnson finished the 2021 season with 18 grabs, a pair of touchdown receptions and 352 receiving yards.

In Iowa’s 24-14 week four win over Colorado State, Johnson became the first true freshman wide receiver to start for the Hawkeyes since Ihmir Smith-Marsette did so in 2017. Johnson made sure to reward the coaches for that decision. The Bellevue, Neb., native opened the scoring against the Rams with a 43-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Spencer Petras. He also reeled in a 49-yard reception versus Colorado State.

Along the way, Johnson had other moments of brilliance. In the Hawkeyes’ 27-22 November win over Minnesota, Johnson appeared to be stopped for a loss by Gopher defenders Thomas Rush and Coney Durr after a reception from quarterback Alex Padilla. Instead, Johnson stayed upright, bouncing off the pair of would-be Minnesota tacklers and raced 27 yards into the end zone for a pivotal fourth-quarter score.

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