Tag: Iowa

Draft Wire’s latest mock draft projections sends versatile DL to Chiefs

A unique option for the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round.

In Draft Wire’s post-combine mock draft, the Chiefs opt for a unique choice at pick No. 32. Many analysts have Kansas City taking a running back in the first round, others look to their very obvious need at cornerback. This time around Luke Easterling chose to send help in the trenches on the defensive side of the ball.

The choice for the Chiefs was Iowa defensive lineman AJ Epenesa. Here’s a look at what Easterling had to say about sending Epenesa to Kansas City:

“Another team that probably wouldn’t mind trading back, the Chiefs can also just wait for the value to fall to them. That lines up with their biggest needs in this situation, as a versatile defensive lineman like Epenesa would be a huge boost to a front that needs to reload with some youth. Despite disappointing at the combine, Epenesa’s film should still prove him to be a first-round pick.”

Epenesa was once considered a top 15 pick in the upcoming draft class, but he turned in one of the most disappointing combine performances. It seems like some of the pre-combine concerns about his athleticism were valid. He’ll have a chance to improve his scores during his pro day at Iowa in late March.

I’m not sure that I would consider the defensive line position among the Chiefs’ biggest needs, especially if DT Chris Jones remains on the team. They certainly don’t need more bodies at edge rusher in 2019. That said, Epenesa still has some of the traits that Steve Spagnuolo likes in his edge defenders.

First of all, he has great size and length for the position at 6-feet-6 and 280 pounds. He has the inside to outside versatility that Spagnuolo likes along the defensive line, with the ability to contribute in his signature NASCAR packages. Most importantly, Epenesa is strong against the run, setting the edge and shedding would-be blockers with ease.

This could certainly be an option on the table for Kansas City, but we still need to see how things play out during free agency.

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Locked On Spartans Podcast: Go back to Iowa

Recapping Michigan State basketball’s big win over Iowa

Wil and Matt recap Michigan State’s big win over Iowa. They talk about how Cassius Winston is still the best player in the Big Ten and the importance of Rocket Watts and Aaron Henry coming along.

You can find the episode on iTunes, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.

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2020 NFL draft prospect profile: Iowa OL Tristan Wirfs

Let’s take a look at Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs.

The offensive line is a clear cut need for the Panthers in this upcoming draft. Fortunately, there is plenty of OL talent to go around in this draft class. Last week we talked about the possibility of the Panthers drafting a right tackle (Jedrick Wills) and kicking Taylor Moton over to left guard to fill the hole they have there.

This week, we are going to take a look at a player who could potentially fit right in at guard and make an immediate impact Week 1. Let’s take a look at Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs.

Scouting Report:
Wirfs is listed at 6-foot-5 and weighs in at 320 pounds. Physically speaking, he checks off all of the boxes and passes the eye test. He uses his tremendous frame and strong hands to bully defenders in the run game and is pretty quick on his feet getting out of his stance. Wirfs even offers versatility as a guard or tackle, as he spent time playing at both spots during his career at Iowa. Along with his incredible athleticism and pure strength, Wirfs plays with excellent balance, body control, hand usage, and anchoring ability in pass protection.

However, edge defenders have exposed his lack of flexibility in his pass sets in the past which has some teams worrying about his ability to play tackle at the next level. In fact, some analysts believe he would be better suited at guard so he can hide the inefficiencies in his pass protection sets against outside edge rushers. By moving inside, Wirfs will be able to stay compact and utilize his strength more to his advantage, all while not having to worry about edge rushers burning him on the outside in his vertical pass sets.

Overall, Wirfs is a tremendous talent but moving him to guard full-time in the NFL will help him tap into his All-Pro potential.

Highlights:

Wirfs vs. USC

Wirfs vs. Rutgers

Wirfs vs. Wisconsin

Wirfs vs. Michigan

Fit with the Panthers:
There are many rumors flying around right now speculating that the Panthers are looking to trade down in the draft. No. 7 overall might be a bit of a reach for Wirfs, but if Marty Hurney makes the move to trade down into the mid-first round, look for them to potentially pounce on a prospect like Wirfs. It would not be a sexy pick, but it would be a big step towards finally fielding a complete offensive line.

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Iowa becomes the focal point of 5-way Big Ten race for double byes

Iowa is a team to watch

Fran McCaffery is the coach fans of other Big Ten schools love to hate. He has the hot temper, the pugnacious attitude, the nasty streak. Yet, while the Iowa coach is a lightning rod and an object of gleeful derision when the Hawkeyes lose, it remains that Fran might help another Big Ten team (in addition to his own) secure a double bye at the upcoming Big Ten Tournament.

You don’t WANT to send a gift basket to Fran McCaffery, but if you get a double bye in the Big Ten Tournament courtesy of an Iowa win, you might have to… and this is the position Wisconsin inhabits heading into the final two weeks of the 2020 Big Ten regular season.

When you look at the remaining schedules for the five Big Ten teams which are tied at 10-6 in the conference standings, two details stand out: One is that Northwestern plays three of the five teams — Wisconsin, Illinois, and Penn State — while Michigan State and Iowa don’t get another shot at the Wildcats.

The other detail is that Iowa is the only team of the five which plays three of the other four Big Ten teams in this five-way logjam.

Wisconsin plays none of the other four teams, which is why the Badgers have such a good shot at a double bye (though by no means a guarantee).

Illinois plays only one of the other four teams in the five-way tie.

Penn State plays two.

Michigan State plays two.

Iowa plays three: Michigan State, Penn State, and Illinois, missing only Wisconsin.

Penn State and Michigan State play each other in the coming weeks. Since Iowa plays PSU and MSU, what we have, essentially, is a three-team round-robin involving Iowa, Penn State, and Michigan State. Wisconsin (like Illinois) is hoping that Iowa goes 1-1 in its two games against Penn State and Michigan State, and that all three teams — UI, PSU, and MSU — split their games in that three-team group.

Iowa, though, is the true epicenter of the Big Ten’s race for double byes at the conference tournament. No one wants Fran McCaffery to do TOO well, but no one in the upper tier of the Big Ten wants him to be a complete failure down the stretch, either.

No. 24 Michigan State Basketball vs. No. 17 Iowa: Where to watch, listen, stream

Michigan State hosts the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Breslin Center Tuesday. Here is everything you need to know to follow along with the game.

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With only four games left in the regular season, Michigan State is still technically within reach of a regular-season Big Ten championship, although they will need to sweep their last games and get some additional losses from teams like Maryland. First, they host Iowa, and here is everything you need to know to watch, listen, or stream the game.

Match-up: No. 17 Iowa (19-8) @ No. 24 Michigan State (18-9)

Game time: Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 7 pm ET

Where: Breslin Center, East Lansing, Michigan

TV channel:  ESPN

Online live stream:  WatchESPN

Online radio broadcast:  TuneIn

Radio: Complete list of Michigan State basketball radio affiliates.

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Minnesota, after loss to Iowa, faces uphill climb for NCAA berth

Minnesota is in trouble

First things first: Wisconsin is going to make the 2020 NCAA Tournament, barring a collapse over the next few weeks. The Badgers have a lot of losses, yes, but they have a lot of high-end wins and are five games over .500. They have won on the road, something the Minnesota Golden Gophers have very rarely done this season. There is a considerable gap between Wisconsin’s resume and Minnesota’s resume. We can get that out of the way early in this article. Wisconsin is in good shape to Dance in March.

Yet, let’s imagine a world in which the Badgers weren’t likely to make the NCAA Tournament. Even in a Wisconsin sports fan’s darkest hour — even when the home teams in the home state aren’t doing so hot — there is always solace and comfort found in Minnesota-based teams suffering.

That always makes a day brighter for a Wisconsinite, and the especially great thing about Minnesota sports teams suffering is that it is such a reliable part of the landscape. From the Vikings going (now) 43 years without a Super Bowl appearance, to the Twins continuing to lose baseball playoff series, to the Golden Gophers failing to win the Big Ten West in football, to the basketball team missing the NCAA Tournament more often than making it, Minnesota teams struggle much more than they succeed. Minnesotans’ tears are the perfect beverage to go with a bratwurst, and once again, it seems Wisconsinites are in position to revel in the Gophers’ misfortune on the basketball court.

It’s not a done deal. Minnesota still has a chance to make the 2020 NCAA Tournament. However, time and opportunity now grow short for Richard Pitino and his team. After a loss at home on Sunday to Iowa, Minnesota is 12-12. If a team is 12-12, it better have eight or nine really good wins.

Minnesota has five: a sweep of Ohio State, a win over Penn State, a win over Michigan, and a win over Wisconsin. Other than that, the Gophers did poorly in non-conference play, losing to Utah and Oklahoma and DePaul, among others. Their win over Oklahoma State in December looked decent at the time but has since decreased in value. Minnesota has won only one true road game this season, at Ohio State, a big reason why the Gophers are currently an NIT team. The Gophers have to win a few games away from The Barn to have any chance to make the NCAA Tournament.

The bottom line after the Iowa loss is that Minnesota needs multiple wins away from home; wins against Nebraska and Northwestern if only to avoid a resume-killing loss; and a win in a home game versus Maryland, which is probably now a No. 2 seed in bracketology. If the Gophers don’t get all three of those items and put them in their grocery cart, they are probably staring at the NIT.

It’s not over. It’s not a done deal… but Minnesota is in big trouble. Wisconsin sports fans can smile, all while the Badgers make their way to the NCAA Tournament.

Wisconsin recruiting comparison: Iowa

Wisconsin recruiting

National Signing Day has come and gone and the Wisconsin Badgers have put together a fairly decent class compared to the rest of the Big Ten. In the spirit of looking at recruiting classes compared to the rest of the conference, Badgers Wire is taking a look at Wisconsin’s class on a national level and a conference level. We’ll be including their national rankings and their conference rankings. Fourth on our list is one of the most consistent and stable programs in the nation when it comes to their style of play and ability to play within their own style, the Iowa Hawkeyes. 

The Iowa Hawkeyes are among the more stable ships in the nation. They may not always compete for conference titles, but since Kirk Ferentz took over in 1999, the Hawkeyes have had a total of three seasons with four or fewer wins. That’s right: three. The Hawkeyes have also had 12 seasons with eight or more wins. The vast majority of Ferentz’s teams end up in a good bowl game and he puts players in the NFL with notable consistency. Iowa is known for churning out quality prospects such as A.J. Epenesa this year and Geoge Kittle in 2017. If you go to Iowa, you’re going to win games and you’ll stand a good chance of scouts seeing you play. That’s all a college player not going to Clemson or Alabama or Ohio State or LSU (or similar elite programs) can ask for in today’s economy of college football. 

The Hawkeyes have the nation’s No. 34 ranked recruiting class in 2020. They are on track for having the No. 8 class in 2021. They finished with the Big Ten’s No. 8 recruiting class with a player average rating of .8645. They’re projected to finish next year with the conference’s 3rd-best recruiting class and a per player average of .8842 in the 24/7 composite rankings. Their best player is defensive tackle Logan Jones. At 6-foot-3, 255-pounds, Jones (.9128) is the No. 1 player in Iowa and the 23rd-best defensive tackle in the class of 2020.The Badgers (.8782) have a higher per recruit average than the Hawkeyes (.8647). The Badgers’ best player in 24/7’s composite rankings is offensive tackle Trey Wedig (.9643). The 6-foot-8, 320-pound behemoth is ranked (.0515) higher than Jones for the Hawkeyes. 

The position both classes compare is at tight end. The Badgers signed Cam Large (.8647), a 6-foot-5, 240-pound player out of Noble And Greenough School in Dedham, Maryland. He’s the No. 29 player at his position in the nation and the sixth-best player coming out of Maryland. The Hawkeyes signed Elijah Yelverton. At 6-foot-5, and 225-pounds, Yelverton (.8763) is the nation’s 21th-best tight end, but he’s the 69th-best best player in the talent-rich state of Texas. Expect Yelverton to get in on the action and compete for playing time early. Cam Large also has a chance to make a substantial impact for the Badgers down the line.

Prospects for Jags fans to watch: Iowa OL Tristan Wirfs

Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs brings position flexibility and elite athleticism to the offensive line and may be just the guy the Jaguars need.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have lacked consistency and depth on the offensive line for a good portion of the last decade. They’ve already spent a lot of capital in the trenches, drafting Cam Robinson and Jawaan Taylor in the second round of the last few drafts, as well as signing guard Andrew Norwell to the biggest contract ever for an NFL guard (at the time). Last season, however, their commitment to improving the offensive line didn’t translate as the line regularly struggled in the run game and didn’t fare much better in pass protection, either.

One of the top offensive lineman prospects in the 2020 class offers versatility at both tackles positions as well as guard. That player is Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs, who primarily was Iowa’s right tackle last season, stonewalling the Big 10’s best pass-rushers.

Some may be familiar with Wirfs. He was listed as the best athlete in college football this past season, showing up at the No. 1 spot on Bruce Feldman’s list of standouts. When watching Wirfs play, it is easy to see his natural movement with beautiful pass sets, effortlessly shuffling as he mirrors pass rushers. A while back Wirfs (6-foot-5, 322 pounds) posted a video of himself doing a ninja kick-up, a feat that takes immense core strength.

A 322-pound man just did a ninja kick-up folks, and not only that, he can pull off backflips, too, which are incredible feats for a man of this size.

In terms of play on the field, Wirfs (No. 74) is just as impressive. His natural athleticism has made his job in pass protection much easier, displaying very nimble feet for a tackle.

In these clips above, Wirfs shows off what makes the tackle a top tier prospect. His natural athleticism is easy to see in both the pass and run game. He is always in the right position at the right time, always keeping the defender in front of him. He rarely gets beat and his quick feet allow him to move like a lot of right tackles can’t.

In the run game, Wirfs is nasty and powerful. In fact, it’s probably his strong suit, as he is able to move defenders where he wishes. His elite athleticism helps him get downfield quickly to open up huge running lanes on the second level, just like in this clip below.

Wirfs, the lead blocker, flashes his speed by eliminating the defensive back in order to lead his running back for the touchdown.

In the last month or so, some scouts have mentioned moving Wirfs from tackle to guard due to the tackle’s relatively short arms. Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network believes that Wirfs could develop into an All-Pro level guard. Even if Wirfs never plays tackle, that would be an excellent pick, reminiscent of the Indianapolis Colts’ selection of Quenton Nelson.

I think Wirfs can be an NFL starter at both tackle or guard, but his style of play and talent allow for Wirfs to have some position flexibility along the line. Wirfs has some experience at another position along the line as well, left tackle.

While Wirfs did not play much at left tackle, the times in which he did were exceptionally impressive. Wirfs didn’t seem to struggle with the transition, seamlessly replacing Alaric Jackson on the blind-side. Just watch how easy he makes it look.

Some tackles can really struggle with a position change on the line, however, I don’t believe Wirfs would have that issue at the next level.

If I am Jacksonville, I would be drooling over the thought of drafting Wirfs. While he may start at guard, the Jaguars could have him as a second option at left tackle if Cam Robinson fails to improve this season. Wirfs is simply a good football player and teams can never have too many of those, especially those that offer position flexibility.

Three takeaways from Wisconsin’s 68-62 loss to Iowa

Wisconsin dropped a heartbreaker to Iowa on Tuesday night, falling 68-62. Here are our top three takeaways of the game for the Badgers.

Wisconsin dropped its second consecutive game on Tuesday, falling to No. 18 Iowa in a heartbreaking 68-62 decision. Here are our top three takeaways from the game for the Badgers.

Wisconsin doomed by a late-game meltdown

Jan 27, 2020; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Joe Toussaint (1) shoots the ball over Wisconsin Badgers guard D’Mitrik Trice (0) to take the lead late during the second half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

The Badgers couldn’t have encountered much more adversity in this one.

They were already dealt a blow before the game even began with the announcement that their No. 2 scorer and arguably the team’s best player, Kobe King, did not travel with the team for personal reasons and appears to be mulling over his future with the program. When the ball actually rolled, Wisconsin started out ice-cold from the field and quickly started to get on the wrong end of the referee’s whistle. It was only due to their excellent defense that the Badgers were able to remain in the game.

Remarkably, Bucky had somehow managed to scrape together a 12-point lead by around the seven-minute mark in the second half thanks to a stretch of hot shooting to complement its solid play on the other end. What came next was an implosion of epic proportions.

Iowa proceeded to close the game on a 23-5 run that brought them victory as a result of some opportunistic shooting, a stifling 3/4 court press that shut down Wisconsin’s offense, and some help from the officials. They had not led since the first minutes of the game, but the Hawkeyes managed to take the lead again with just over a minute left in the game.

Regardless, the Badgers had a possession to go down and try to tie the game with about 30 seconds remaining. However, Brad Davison was dealt a devastating flagrant foul that effectively sealed the deal for Iowa. It was the story of the game for Wisconsin, who committed a season-high 28 fouls to Iowa’s 15. The Hawkeyes’ 25-32 clip from the free-throw line was the difference in this one.

For a program that has suffered plenty of late-game collapses over the last few years, this one may take the cake.

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Three Iowa players Badger fans need to know

Wisconsin heads to Iowa City to take on the No. 17 Iowa Hawkeyes. Badger fans should be sure to know these three opposing players.

After getting blown out in its last two road games, Wisconsin (12-8) will look to reverse that trend on Monday evening in Iowa City against No. 19 Iowa (14-5).

To put it mildly, that will not be an easy task.

Carver-Hawkeye Arena has a well-deserved reputation as one of the toughest places to win on the road in the country, and Fran McCaffery’s Hawkeyes are arguably the Big Ten’s hottest team at the moment, having won four straight and eight of their last ten. That stretch includes victories over No. 12 Maryland, No. 19 Michigan, and No. 24 Rutgers, all of which came in Iowa City.

While Iowa was expected to be a solid team this season, I’m not sure anyone thought they would be this good, especially once one of its top players, senior guard Jordan Bohannon, opted to shut down his season after playing in ten games to undergo hip surgery. The loss of Bohannon’s leadership and productivity (career scoring average of 12.3 points per game, 39.8 percent three-point shooter) could have been devastating.

Instead, the Hawkeyes have managed to thrive in his absence, thanks in large part to the emergence of one of his teammates into a full-fledged superstar and a few others stepping up to the plate and taking on larger roles.

With that said, here are three players in Iowa’s rotation who Badger fans should make sure to keep an eye on in this matchup.

Luka Garza – Center

Current stats: 23.2 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 1.7 bpg, 56.1 FG%, 38.5 3P%

Jan 4, 2020; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes center Luka Garza (55) shoots the ball over Penn State Nittany Lions forward John Harrar (21) during the first half at The Palestra. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Garza was certainly one of the Big Ten’s better big men throughout his first two years at Iowa, but the 6-11, 260-pounder from Washington D.C. has taken a quantum leap in his third season.

The junior center’s production has absolutely exploded in 2019-20, to the point where he has launched  himself into  the conversation for National Player of the Year honors. Garza leads the Big Ten and ranks No. 5 nationally in scoring average, with the conference’s No. 3 field goal percentage. He also cleans up on the glass, currently sitting second in rebounds per game.

A multi-dimensional offensive threat who dominates the paint and can stretch the floor from beyond the arc, Garza has been straight-up unguardable at times for the Hawkeyes. He has scored in double figures in all but one game, a stretch that has included some jaw-dropping performances: Garza dropped 44 points (17-32 from the floor) in Iowa’s loss to Michigan in December and 34 (13-19) to go along with 12 rebounds in an 89-86 defeat to Penn State earlier this month.

Garza is coming off of another monster outing the last time out against Rutgers in which he racked up 28 points on 11-17 shooting to go along with 13 boards.

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