Tag: Keagan Johnson

5 Offensive keys for the Iowa Hawkeyes against South Dakota State

Here’s five keys for the Iowa Hawkeyes on offense to get the season off to a strong start in week one against South Dakota State.

Week One is the perfect time to work out the kinks, earning some needed chemistry and playing time. While No. 2 Ohio State is playing a national contender in No. 5 Notre Dame to kick off their season, Iowa is also facing a national championship contender, albeit a very different one.

The Hawkeyes will host the South Dakota State Jackrabbits at Kinnick Stadium to kick off their season. It certainly isn’t the toughest week one slate, they didn’t elect to schedule a top 25 team like No. 12 Oregon or a returning College Football Playoff team in No. 22 Cincinnati, but SDSU is certainly not a pushover. They aimed for a bit more of an ambitious FCS opponent than say Wisconsin taking on Illinois State, a team that didn’t even muster five wins in 2021.

Expectations are high for the Hawkeyes, fresh off of their Big Ten Championship game campaign. The first team left on the outside looking in of the USA TODAY Sports AFCA coaches poll, Iowa certainly has a chip on its shoulder entering the season. After an offseason of incessant talking points, none of that matters anymore. The season is here, time to put up or shut up. Here are five keys for the Iowa offense against South Dakota State.

Nico Ragaini sidelined several weeks to start 2022 Iowa Hawkeyes season

One of Iowa’s top returning pass-catchers, redshirt senior wide receiver Nico Ragaini, will miss the first several weeks of 2022.

Unfortunately, the fact that redshirt senior Nico Ragaini wasn’t on the Iowa Hawkeyes‘ offensive two-deep that got released to start the week means exactly what everybody assumed it did.

Ragaini is set to be sidelined at least several weeks.

“He has a medical issue right now. It’s going to be at least a couple weeks, so he’s not on the depth chart, which means he has no chance to play this week. It’s unfortunate because he’s really practicing well, great guy, and another one of our veteran players, so would be great to have him with us,” Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz said at his Tuesday press conference to preview South Dakota State.

The East Haven, Conn., product was Iowa’s third-leading receiver in 2021 with 26 grabs for 331 yards and a touchdown. For an offense that’s hoping the 2022 season doesn’t resemble last year’s production, starting off the season without one of the Hawkeyes’ top threats isn’t exactly ideal.

Ferentz acknowledged as much, but did say Iowa’s two walk-on receivers have been impressive and noted how tight end depth can help the Hawkeyes withstand this injury hit early in the season.

“Yeah, first of all, those guys have done a good job, Jack (Johnson) and Alec (Wick) have done a really nice job and been consistent, and they’ve been out there every day, which is a big, big part of it. They’ve done a good job and Arland has done a nice job, as well.

“We’re not as deep as you’d like to be. It seems like every preseason or every segment — spring ball kind of goes this way, too, certain segments get tagged a little bit with the injury deal, and just got to work around it. That’s what we’re doing there. I think the good news is we’re a little deeper at tight end than maybe some years past, so we’ll figure out a way to complement things and make it work,” Ferentz said.

[listicle id=8966]

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Josh on Twitter: @JoshOnREF

Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

Week 1 Iowa Hawkeyes offensive depth chart versus the South Dakota State Jackrabbits

The Iowa Hawkeyes

The season-opening week for the Iowa Hawkeyes is upon us and that means it’s almost time for Iowa to lock horns with the South Dakota State Jackrabbits.

Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes released an offensive depth chart ahead of Big Ten Media Days, but, now that kickoff is this week, the Hawkeyes have revealed an updated offensive depth chart.

Fans suspected that Spencer Petras would remain as Iowa’s No. 1 quarterback. That is the case in the season-opening depth chart. What other surprises await Hawkeye fans in the first in-season depth chart reveal? Let’s take a look at the full Iowa offensive depth chart for South Dakota State.

Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Diante Vines sidelined until at least midseason with wrist injury

Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Diante Vines will be sidelined until at least midseason with a wrist injury per head coach Kirk Ferentz.

It’s the piece of football that there’s just no perfect defense for. Injuries happen and Iowa—like everyone else in college football—was hoping that they could avoid as many of them throughout the offseason and camp as possible.

Instead, after Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz recently announced the season-ending injuries to offensive guard Justin Britt and wide receiver Jackson Ritter, the Hawkeyes unfortunately now have another injury to report.

“On a negative note, I think I’ve already mentioned Justin Britt will not be able to play this year, Jackson Ritter, and one to add to the list, at least for the start of the season in our two deep. Diante Vines injured his wrist. He’ll be in a cast. You’ll see that, and that is going to impact the beginning part of the season for him.

“That’s unfortunate. He’s was really practicing well, and certainly would have been a guy who could help contribute to our football team. It’s not season-ending I don’t think, but, hopefully, we’ll get him back here somewhere midseason, whenever. We’ll just kind of take that day by day,” Ferentz told reporters at Iowa’s Media Day.

As it currently stands according to the depth chart that the Hawkeyes released just in front of Big Ten Media Days, Iowa’s wide receivers depth chart looks like this: the two that were listed as No. 1 receivers are Keagan Johnson and Nico Ragaini and the two that were listed as No. 2 receivers are Alec Wick and Arland Bruce IV.

Of course, Bruce started several games for the Hawkeyes last season and reeled in 25 grabs for 209 receiving yards with one touchdown reception and three more rushing scores.

Johnson led the way for Iowa receivers in 2021 with 18 receptions for 352 receiving yards and a pair of touchdown grabs, while Ragaini added 26 catches for 331 yards and one score.

While Iowa has been handed a pair of wide receiver injuries to both Ritter and now Vines, Ferentz seemed otherwise upbeat about what he’s seeing from those who are available.

“Receivers, injuries have been part of the deal there, predictably. Hopefully, we’re making progress, but seeing really good performances from Nico, our most veteran guy, and then Arland Bruce has done really a good job, too. Of note, Alec Wick has done a good job. Young guys who we didn’t know a lot about until last spring basically. He’s really done a good job, as well,” Ferentz said.

Still, it’s worth mentioning that Iowa also saw the departure of a pair of wide receivers through the transfer portal this offseason. Charlie Jones and Tyrone Tracy Jr. both transferred to Purdue.

Add to it that Johnson has been battling the injury bug this offseason and there’s at least cause for some angst among the Iowa fan base about what the wide receiver depth looks like headed into this season.

“Keagan is working back. He won’t do a lot tomorrow, but he’s working back. I think he’s close to being where he needs to be, and hopefully the same thing with Brody (Brecht). They’re really the two guys that have missed the most time now.

“If you look big picture, you’re including spring practice, too. So that’s—I don’t know if concerned is the right word, but that’s where my awareness is. They missed a lot of time. To get them back and playing effectively with the right tempo and getting the timing down on the offense, all those kinds of things, and you’ve heard me say it before, meetings are important, they have value and all that, but you learn how to play football by playing it. You’ve got to go out there on the field and play it,” Ferentz said.

Really, it’s probably more important for Brecht to see plenty of snaps throughout camp, but it wouldn’t hurt for quarterbacks Spencer Petras and Alex Padilla along with the Hawkeyes’ offensive coaching staff to get to see both of those targets back quickly.

“The sooner we can get them back, hopefully it’s next week, that’ll be encouraging. They’re both—in Keagan’s case, he’s played 12 games, 13 games, so he’s got experience there, but you still have to play the game and practice. Brody is a little different story because he hasn’t played. We really liked what we saw when he came back in the fall, but we’ve got to get him going.

“Hopefully, it’s sooner than later. I think it will be. But everybody else is doing a good job, and I think we’ve got some flexibility personnel-wise just with the tight ends. I think we’ve got a little flexibility there. We’ll figure that out, but so far, so good. I think our passing game, I think it’s on the right track right now,” Ferentz said.

[listicle id=7718]

[listicle id=7687]

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Josh on Twitter: @JoshOnREF

Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

Why the Iowa Hawkeyes can find offensive success in 11 personnel

The Iowa Hawkeyes could find offensive success relying heavily on 11 personnel in 2022. Here is an in-depth look at the offensive scheme.

It’s no secret that the Iowa Hawkeyes’ offense was stuck in mud at times last year. There was a struggle to consistently move the ball and the Hawkeyes trudged along oftentimes to the dismay of many fans.

There has been talk of changes in 2022 and how to get the offense back on track. The experience along the offensive line coming back could be a key factor, the playmakers on the outside can help the passing game, and the new running backs look like they can provide four yards a pop when needed with their downhill running style.

But what else can make the Hawkeyes’ offense go? It isn’t just the guys out on the field, but it is the scheme and making life easier on themselves before the ball is ever even snapped. Relying on a specific personnel grouping for the Hawkeyes could be a key to unlock more offensive success.

Utilizing “11” personnel could create a much different look for the Hawkeyes than fans and opponents are used to seeing and give Iowa some advantages in both the rushing and passing game.

Let’s dive into what this personnel grouping is, the athletes this grouping would allow to share the field together, how it would create advantages pre-snap, what different looks Iowa could do with it, and some examples of teams that have had extraordinary success using it.

As always, I love engaging with readers so I would love to hear your thoughts on this X’s and O’s analysis of the offensive scheme. My Twitter profile is at the end of this article and never, ever hesitate to reach out there.

5 Iowa Hawkeyes that could transform into Big Ten stars after the 2022 season

Chances are you know these names, but the nation doesn’t. Here’s five Iowa Hawkeyes that might be Big Ten stars following the 2022 season.

Iowa has a pair of established national stars on defense in linebacker Jack Campbell and cornerback Riley Moss.

Campbell finished the 2021 season with 143 tackles, which led the nation. As a result, the 6-foot-5, 246 pound native of Cedar Falls, Iowa, picked up second-team All-America honors from the Football Writers Association of America and Phil Steele. He was also a first-team All-Big Ten selection by the league’s media and Phil Steele.

Meanwhile, Moss nabbed first-team All-America recognition from Sporting News, was named the Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year and picked up first-team All-Big Ten honors from the league coaches and media. That came after the 6-foot-1, 193 pound corner from Ankeny, Iowa, intercepted four passes last season.

Both Campbell and Moss have been popular preseason watch list selections and All-America choices. The latest instance was Campbell and Moss being named to the preseason Bednarik Award watch list.

While Iowa fans are familiar with the following names, here’s five Hawkeyes that could emerge as national stars in 2022 and have college football fans wondering why they weren’t on their radar heading into this season.

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.

Iowa Hawkeyes: 2022 defensive depth chart

With the season right around the corner, the Iowa Hawkeyes have released their first official depth chart. Let’s look at the defense.

With the Big Ten Media Days kicking off today and training camp right around the corner, it was only a matter of time before we got the chance to get our eyes on a depth chart.

The Iowa Hawkeyes released their first official depth chart today. To do some level-setting before getting into it, there aren’t a ton of surprises or unexpected names among most positions. The depth chart is very much as to be expected with an older team like the Hawkeyes usually are.

Defensively, there are eight names listed for four spots with no duplications. The depth in the interior is trending in the right direction for the Hawkeyes and could prove to be a strong point of their entire defense.

Linebackers may be the most set position on this team. We know the names. Campbell, Jacobs, Benson. This is as set in stone as it gets.

The secondary is going to be a slew of names that are familiar and if I had to guess, some rotational play based on the opponent’s offensive scheme. I think the Hawkeyes have a plan of attack whether facing an aerial attack or ground game and will change names accordingly. I view this as more of who will play opposed to a traditional depth chart.

As far as special teams, not many changes here. The punt unit should be one of the best in the country once again. Kicking duties could see a bit of shuffling as the Hawkeyes look to find who will be taking on those duties next. This is a two-man battle that will decide itself in camp. One bit of interest in that no punt or kick returner was listed. That tells me those spots are truly wide open and something to stay watching.

This depth chart is just the first and we haven’t begun camp yet. As players step up in camp or show something or unfortunate injuries occur, this is far from a finished piece and will undoubtedly be constantly in flux. Nonetheless, let’s take a dive into the Hawkeyes first official depth chart.

Iowa Hawkeyes: 2022 offensive depth chart

With the season right around the corner, the Iowa Hawkeyes have released their first official depth chart. Let’s look at the offense.

With the Big Ten Media Days kicking off today and training camp right around the corner, it was only a matter of time before we got the chance to get our eyes on a depth chart.

The Iowa Hawkeyes released their first official depth chart today. To do some level-setting before getting into it, there aren’t a ton of surprises or unexpected names among most positions. The depth chart is very much as to be expected with an older team like the Hawkeyes usually are.

At quarterback we have what is said to be an open position battle, but now have a depth chart to base some things off of. In the backfield, the Williams duo is going to get their chance to shine. Sam LaPorta is manning the tight end position and the Hawkeyes could get contributions from fellow names behind him.

An interesting position to watch will be the wide receiver position as the three returning contributors, Keagan Johnson, Arland Bruce, and Nico Ragaini, are present but beyond them could see some camp shuffling as that next contributor at receiver will be a position battle to keep an eye on.

The offensive line depth is very evident when looking at the depth chart. For five offensive lineman positions, the Hawkeyes have ten different names listed and none are double-dipping at multiple positions.

This depth chart is just the first and we haven’t begun camp yet. As players step up in camp or show something or unfortunate injuries occur, this is far from a finished piece and will undoubtedly be constantly in flux. Nonetheless, let’s take a dive into the Hawkeyes first official depth chart.

‘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.

[listicle id=6040]

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Josh on Twitter: @JoshOnREF

Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.