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Hawkeyes offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz spoke at Iowa Media Days and discussed the start of camp and the state of his quarterbacks.
Iowa offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Brian Ferentz met with the media to discuss the start of the Hawkeyes’ 2022 fall camp, the state of Iowa’s quarterback play and more during Iowa Media Days.
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.
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.
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.
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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Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras said he was more decisive than he’s ever been throughout the spring and he’s ready to showcase that in 2022.
While there’s still a quarterback competition set to be waged throughout fall camp, Iowa’s Spencer Petras sounded confident with the Hawkeyes media in how his spring and offseason has gone thus far.
Everyone that’s been paying attention knows that Petras has been staying busy attending the Manning Passing Academy and continuing his work with personal quarterback trainer Tony Racioppi.
As he should, Petras did take time for a family vacation to Alaska over the Fourth of July holiday.
“It was good. I’m wearing this shirt. I was just in Alaska for the Fourth of July. I went on a fishing trip with my parents and my godparents and their son. Caught a lot of salmon, which was fun. Long flights, so I’m kind of happy to be back and just back into the routine. But, it was a lot of fun. Went to a couple weddings. That was fun,” Petras said.
Other than that brief getaway, every other report this offseason is that Petras has been hard at work looking to perfect his craft as he and the Hawkeyes get to set to embark upon defending their 2021 Big Ten West division title.
For the first time since early in the spring, Petras sounded off with local reporters on what he took away from Iowa’s spring practices.
“I was really happy with spring ball. I just felt like I was more decisive than I’ve ever been. I felt really good how I threw the ball. Some of the changes we’ve made, I feel really good about and just I’m excited to see how it carries over to camp. We were still working through a lot of stuff schematically and now I think we’ve got a better idea of exactly where we want to go. It feels good and I’m excited,” Petras said.
Asked what precisely was different with the Hawkeyes’ offense heading into 2022, the 6-foot-5, 231 pound quarterback from San Rafael, Calif., didn’t want to divulge too much.
“We’re always trying to make our plays as schematically sound as they can be. The thing I love the most, I just think we’re a lot more detailed now. Without, I don’t want to give away too much, we’re very detailed now. I feel like I have a really good plan for every play and that excites me as an analytical guy, as a guy that can identify coverage really fast and having the solid plan. I mean, Brian’s been working his (expletive) off, trying to just detail everything. I’m really happy with how it looks right now. The real test will be training camp and getting a feel for it all, getting the reps that I need and then obviously just got to go do it in the season,” Petras said.
Iowa saw one notable wide receiver target and return specialist in Charlie Jones elect to transfer out to Purdue. That means added reps for the known returning commodities in Arland Bruce IV, Keagan Johnson and Nico Ragaini.
Petras has been pleased in the work they’ve gotten in so far this offseason and how that trio has approached their leadership roles.
“Yeah, you know, they’ve been good. The thing we have to worry about in the summer is just our strength and conditioning program is very vigorous and very demanding. So, it’s trying to toe the line between getting the work we need, but not running them too much because the worst thing would be for a guy to pull a hammy right before camp. So, that’s what we have to deal with right now, but certainly a motivated unit.
“I really love what I’ve seen from Nico and just the leadership that he’s putting out and making sure that the young guys are growing. The not-so-old veterans like Keagan and Arland have been stepping up. I’m excited to see what they can do. There’s a lot of young guys that I think have a lot of opportunity and hopefully will make a big difference this fall. Just got to get to camp and let everything go from there,” Petras said.
As Big Ten media days and fall camp near, Petras isn’t naive to the narrative that surrounds him. He’s been labeled as one of Iowa’s biggest question marks after a 2021 season where battled through injuries and finished passing for 1,880 yards and 10 touchdowns against nine interceptions.
In the spring, he discussed how his completion numbers of 57.3% was an area that he needed to improve upon. He didn’t feel then and he certainly doesn’t feel now that it’s been a talent issue with himself.
“It definitely can fuel. I mean, it kind of depends on the situation and stuff like that, but, yeah, it certainly can fuel. Sometimes it’s better to ignore it, sometimes it’s better to let it fuel you. It just kind of depends,” Petras said of how he handles criticism.
It’s true of any college football team that a large part of its success will be defined by how the quarterback play goes. Petras knows that. He remains confident in what he brings to the table for the Hawkeyes, the changes that Iowa has made schematically and their collective outlook heading into the 2022 college football season.
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The Hawkeyes’ quarterback room has been the biggest question mark. Ranked No. 10 in the Big Ten, up is the only option entering 2022.
It’s been reported by every outlet, discussed by every fan, talked about by anyone who has a clue about Iowa football. The glaring question mark entering 2022 is the quarterback play and if it can take the next step. I think it is time to talk about that. And for the first time on this site, let my opinions come out.
I have yet to put out an opinion piece on here as I am extremely close with some current Hawkeyes on a very personal level. Texting, Facetiming, going to dinner and hanging out with them postgame type of close. Due to that, I stay black and white, give the facts, and talk ball. This is different. It’s time for an open discussion about the Iowa quarterback room.
Recently, 247Sports shared that Athlon Sports’ annual magazine named Iowa the 10th-best quarterback situation in the Big Ten, only ahead of Indiana, Illinois, Northwestern, and Rutgers. In my mind, it’s no question Iowa is in a better spot than those four. No real argument.
Here is 247Sports’ Mariah Guzman’s reaction regarding the Hawkeyes’ ranking:
Spencer Petras will be spending his fifth season with Iowa this fall, his third as a starter. Petras showed flashes of excellence in the first half of the 2021 season, allowing Iowa to start out strong with a six-game win streak. He struggled after the streak, compiling seven interceptions to just one touchdown the rest of the season, and Iowa went 2-4 the rest of the way. The Hawkeyes return multiple starters from the 2021 season, with Keagan Johnson and Nico Ragaini hoping to flourish in a more involved role at wide receiver. If Petras can perform like he did the first six weeks of 2021 compared to the final six weeks, Iowa could stun the Big 10. Petras threw for 1,880 yards, 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions in total, in 2021. – Guzman, 247Sports.
Let’s talk about a certain statement in there. The part that says “Iowa could stun the Big Ten” stands out. This year’s Big Ten West is wide open. Spencer Petras has been working nonstop this offseason, showcasing his arm strength at the Manning Passing Academy. He is all in for the Hawkeyes. I have even previously talked about why 2022 may be the best Petras yet.
I think Spencer Petras not only stuns Hawkeyes fans this fall. He stuns the Big Ten.
I think we see him surpass Wisconsin’s Graham Mertz who is inconsistent. Casey Thompson is stepping into a beyond hostile situation in his first season in Nebraska and any struggles will be magnified. Taulia Tagovailoa has the talent, but his inconsistency has proven to be a crutch.
Spencer Petras doesn’t have to win every game by himself for Iowa. He has a defense that returns some firepower and looks to pick up where they left off in 2021. He won’t need to score 35 points every week. Gavin Williams and Leshon Williams are a downhill duo in the backfield. Sam LaPorta, Keagan Johnson, Nico Ragaini, and Arland Bruce IV give Petras the necessary weapons in the passing game.
All of the noise is against Spencer Petras. The talk is how he has held this team back. Hawkeye fans have questioned him and called for replacements. The cards are stacked against him. And while all of this has gone on, there’s been nothing but hard work, bettering himself, and a consistent effort to do his part for this Hawkeyes team from Petras.
Never wavering against adversity. Not afraid to face the music. Ready to take everything head on and show his leadership. Give me that guy 10 out of 10 times. Spencer Petras takes the next step in 2022 and shows why Iowa is in a much better spot than the No. 10 best quarterback room in Big Ten.
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What all did Athlon Sports have to say about the Iowa Hawkeyes that resulted in Iowa outside the top 25 at No. 32 nationally?
Several weeks ago, Athlon Sports’ Steven Lassan released his top 25 rankings for 2022 and the Iowa Hawkeyes weren’t among that list. Instead, five other Big Ten teams were among Lassan’s top 25 rankings for 2022 heading into the summer.
That group included No. 2 Ohio State, No. 6 Michigan, No. 14 Michigan State, No. 19 Wisconsin and No. 25 Penn State. When Lassan’s top 25 was released, he had Iowa in his “next tier” of teams that also included Air Force, Appalachian State, Auburn, Boise State, BYU, Coastal Carolina, Florida, Florida State, Fresno State, Kansas State, LSU, Minnesota, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Purdue, South Carolina, Texas, UAB, UCLA and UTSA.
Now, after Athlon Sports’ release of its 2022 Iowa football preview, there’s a precise number to attach from the outlet to the Hawkeyes. Athlon Sports ranks Iowa No. 32 nationally heading into the 2022 season.
Here’s a breakdown on everything Athlon Sports had to say about Iowa.
Redshirt sophomore running back Leshon Williams is looking to prove he should be one of the Hawkeyes’ featured runners in 2022.
In many ways, redshirt sophomore running back Leshon Williams’ career is just getting started with the Iowa Hawkeyes. The Chicago, Ill., native enters his third year on campus after a redshirt season in 2020 where he didn’t see any action and a 2021 campaign that saw Williams net just 69 rushing yards.
The 5-foot-10, 205 pound running back out of Richards High School is undoubtedly chomping at the bit for a more leading role. Williams arrived in Iowa City as part of the Hawkeyes’ 2020 signing class. He was rated as a three-star running back by 247Sports, the nation’s No. 56 running back and the No. 11 player from Illinois.
After seeing just 21 carries in 2021, the green light is officially on for Williams. Tyler Goodson, Iowa’s leading rusher from last season, departed to the NFL where he’s signed as an undrafted free agent with the Green Bay Packers. Goodson finished 2021 with 1,151 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns on 256 carries.
That’s a lot of production for Iowa to replace, but it also means there’s great opportunities for those in the Hawkeyes’ backfield. The next-closest rusher was redshirt sophomore Gavin Williams. Gavin Williams carried 65 times for 305 rushing yards.
Leshon Williams has to feel like 2022 is his first legitimate opportunity to shine for Iowa as a featured runner. Let’s take a look at Williams’ profile in Iowa City thus far and his depth chart outlook for 2022.
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Running back Gavin Williams figures to be a key contributor offensively for Iowa. Here’s a look at his best photos with the Hawkeyes so far.
Sophomore running back Gavin Williams figures to be a key cog offensively for Iowa. The Hawkeyes need him to step up into a starring role following the departure of last season’s leading rusher Tyler Goodson.
Goodson finished the 2021 season with 1,151 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns on 256 carries. Now, it’s Williams’ turn to build upon what he delivered in the Hawkeyes’ 20-17 loss against Kentucky in the Vrbo Citrus Bowl.
In his first career start, Williams carried 16 times for 98 yards. The Altoona, Iowa, product became the first Hawkeye to make his first career start in a bowl game since Jordan Canzeri did so against Oklahoma at the 2011 Insight Bowl.
The 6-foot, 211 pound running back finished the 2021 season as Iowa’s second-leading rusher with 305 rushing yards on 65 totes. There’s sure to be plenty of highlights ahead for Williams in 2022, but let’s take a look back at his career thus far through these terrific photos.
