Tag: Luke Lachey

Hawkeyes Chalk Talk: How one personnel group can unlock Iowa’s offense in 2023

How can the Hawkeyes unlock their offense in 2023? Here’s the personnel group that can help Iowa do so.

So, now that the talent will be in Iowa City, there are no more excuses. Bluntly put, it is time for the Iowa Hawkeyes’ offense to perform. The transfers of Cade McNamara, Erick All, Seth Anderson, and most recently, Kaleb Brown, have set the stage for an offense desperately searching for answers.

That’s what we are here to look at today. What is a personnel grouping that could unlock this Iowa offense in 2023? Before we get into it, I will give some foundation to where this thought process stems from and why I am comfortable laying it out.

I attended Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, just a short 45-minute trip east of Iowa City. I played four years of football there as a wide receiver. Now, life wasn’t easy for a 5-foot-9, 185-pound slot receiver that wasn’t the fastest or strongest as you could imagine. Due to that, I had to win with a high football IQ, an understanding of matchups, and quick processing of mathematical advantages (which we will get into later). For example, if a linebacker was on me, that was the time to use my best move. Or if we spread it out and it was a run play, I had to know how to handle a linebacker while giving up quite a bit of size.

Due to experience, countless hours of seeing schemes in film meetings, and studying Iowa’s offense, I believe one personnel grouping could unlock this offense. That is ’12’ personnel.

Let’s get into what ’12’ personnel means and how it could change the Hawkeyes’ offense.

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CBS Sports pinpoints Iowa Hawkeyes’ biggest question to answer in spring practices

The elephant in the room isn’t quiet anymore. It’s loud and obvious. CBS Sports pinpoints Iowa’s biggest question in spring practices.

The offense, the offense, the offense…

You know it, I know it, the Big Ten knows it, and America knows it. Can the Iowa Hawkeyes get any sort of pulse on the offensive side of the ball in 2023? The answer is going to be yes. But, is that simply because it couldn’t wind up as a no after the Hawkeyes ranked nearly dead last among multiple key categories?

That said, minimal improvement won’t suffice. The Hawkeyes have a weight on their shoulders to perform offensively which is headlined by Brian Ferentz’s contract guidelines. Don’t meet those designated performance objectives, and the exit door is swung wide open.

CBS Sports pinpointed the biggest question facing the Hawkeyes in spring practices. Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports is engrained in the Big Ten and laid it out there very black and white. The offense not only has to improve, but someone has to step up to help out Cade McNamara and Brian Ferentz.

Will the new-look offense be any different? We’ve all made our jokes about Brian Ferentz needing to average 25 points per game this season, but I want to know if Iowa plans to change anything on offense or if it’s simply hoping that more talented players will fix everything. Michigan transfer quarterback Cade McNamara isn’t going to win a Heisman, but he’s a clear upgrade on Spencer Petras and Alex Padilla. The Hawkeyes also added TE Erick All (Michigan) and offensive linemen Rusty Feth (Miami, OH) and Daijon Parker (Saginaw Valley).

Both of Iowa’s leading receivers last year were tight ends, so while All is a nice addition, I don’t know that he fixes a problem as much as he replaces Sam LaPorta. What I’d like to see, if I’m an Iowa fan, is for somebody — anybody — in the wide receiver room to step up and for the offense to add a few more modern wrinkles. Nobody is saying Iowa needs to start running the Air Raid, but at some point, it can’t just be the WR talent or QB who is the problem. – Fornelli, CBS Sports

As stated, Iowa has gotten production from their tight ends in the past. Last season saw Luke Lachey and Sam LaPorta lead the way for the passing game. LaPorta is going to the NFL and it is Lachey’s spot to lose. The addition of All could see a ceiling of the T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant combo, but that is also a high expectation to set.

The wide receiver room sees Brody Brecht departing to focus on baseball, which thrusts Diante Vines into a starting role along with veteran Nico Ragaini. Behind those two is a room of unknowns. Not to say it is good or bad, but there’s definite question marks. Charleston Southern transfer Seth Anderson is injured right now but brings in talent. How soon that talent hits the field is the question mark with him.

Spring practices are vital for teams to mesh and that has only become more apparent with the rise of the transfer portal and newcomers having to use this time to mesh. Iowa’s spring practices may be among some of the most crucial in the country to see their questions answered.

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5 Iowa Hawkeyes poised for a breakout in 2023 college football season

A look at five Iowa Hawkeyes who can become the next stars of the Iowa football program during the 2023 college football season.

A new spring season of Hawkeyes football is upon us, folks! If you know anything about Iowa ball, they have an established pipeline to the NFL. You’ll rarely find a draft without Hawkeye representation and this year is no different.

Iowa has five candidates for the upcoming 2023 NFL draft in defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness, linebacker Jack Campbell, tight end Sam LaPorta, cornerback Riley Moss, and safety Kaevon Merriweather. Van Ness, Campbell, and LaPorta have been the talk of the NFL Draft community after their stellar NFL Combine performances.

Van Ness in particular featured highly in recent mock drafts. Moss and Merriweather also have a number of fans in the football world as well.

Despite being known as a program greater than the sum of its parts, every year Iowa football manages to produce stars who go on to the NFL. That team-first mentality really aids in preparing players for the next level. Five key stars are moving on, but who will be the next breakout stars in Iowa City?

With the depth charts released for the spring season, we now have a better idea of how these players are viewed by the coaching staff. With that in mind and combined with what we already saw last year, here are five breakout candidates to keep an eye on throughout spring ball.

5 burning offensive questions for the Iowa Hawkeyes heading into spring football

It’s almost time for spring football in Iowa City. What are five burning questions about the Hawkeyes’ offense heading into spring football?

Slowly but surely we are escaping the pit that is the college football offseason. Full of transfers and coaching changes, the offseason can feel like a real slog to get through. This isn’t aided by the weather being bad either, just heightening our offseasonal depression.

It’s been a turbulent one for the Iowa Hawkeyes to say the least. Iowa brought in two big transfers from Michigan, but also saw multiple talented players depart as well. It is going to hurt to see Jestin Jacobs in an Oregon uniform next year, and I’m fully prepared for Keagan Johnson to be a star in the Big 12.

While Iowa managed to put together a good recruiting class, it all felt overshadowed by the guy they weren’t able to bring in. While many will try to criticize Proctor’s decision calling it short sighted, mind you Alabama also routinely sends linemen to the NFL, it’s really hard for me to envision anything but success for the young man. I truly do wish him the best, unless it’s in a national championship against Iowa to which I hope he gives up four sacks.

What else was there? Oh yeah, there was the entire “will they fire him” situation with offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz. If it were up to most of the fanbase, the coach’s son would’ve been out the door a long time ago. Even before Iowa’s offense put up horrendous numbers this past season. Iowa did issue him an “ultimatum” though: bring the offense to passable levels and you sir get a raise and a pat on the back.

It still does feel like a bad dream.

It’s felt like all offseason the fanbase has received just kick in the pants after kick in the pants. I’m not sure if the same feeling of optimism is there that I noticed last year. So, how do you fix that? Well, it’s easy folks.

Win.

Winning is the remedy to literally any problem in sports. All of the down moments of the offseason will seem like little blips on the radar if Iowa football gets back to doing what they do in winning.

Of course, the biggest factor in that is the offense. Anyone who is familiar with last year’s team can tell you just how bad it is, and looking back on some of the box scores it truly is the stuff of nightmares. It cannot go on that way. No more wasting Phil Parker’s fantastic defensive efforts and no more wasting the fans’ time!

With the offense in mind, here are five questions about Brian Ferentz’s unit that should be on the minds of every single Iowa football fan.

5 most important Iowa Hawkeyes for 2023 success

Iowa enters 2023 with question marks and some voids, but also returning talent. Who are the five more important Hawkeyes for 2023 success?

The 2023 season for the Iowa Hawkeyes feels a little bit like all of the chips have been pushed to the middle of the table and this season is all-in. With the additions via the transfer portal and the dire need to improve offensively, there is pressure. The defense has pressure as well. There are key starters gone and large voids to fill.

Looking ahead to next season, there are a handful of areas that either need improvement or things could go very sideways. There are also areas that are reloading and will be shouldering a huge amount of pressure to drive this team to success.

As we near the beginning of spring practice and will start getting a look at some new and returning Hawkeyes, there are already a handful that are success factors. Here is a look at who the five most important Iowa Hawkeyes are for success during the 2023 season.

Iowa Stock Index: Hawkeyes’ stock report after loss to Nebraska

Iowa lost a heartbreaker to Nebraska. Whose stock is rising, whose stock is falling after the loss to the Cornhuskers?

The Iowa Hawkeyes fell 24-17 to the Nebraska Cornhuskers in a game that felt as though anything that could have went wrong did go wrong. From penalties, to turnovers, to injuries, the Hawkeyes could not catch a break and that came at the worst possible time of the year for it to occur.

As we enter the wait before finding out what bowl game Iowa will be headed to, there is certainly some time for reflection, both positively and what could have went differently. Luckily, the Hawkeyes get one more game. They will be in a bowl and have a chance to end this season with a win and get to a mark of 8-5.

Quite a few Hawkeyes have had their hands in the mix in this game and some did everything they could to pull of the comeback, but there are a few that are seeing their stock rising as we continue down the final stretch of the season.

Iowa’s Sam LaPorta, Luke Lachey were Pro Football Focus’ top graded Week 12 tight ends

Tight End U delivers again. Iowa’s Sam LaPorta and Luke Lachey were Pro Football Focus’ top graded Week 12 tight ends.

It’s well documented that Iowa is “Tight End U.” Week 12 of the college football season only reinforces that reality.

Per Pro Football Focus, Iowa tight ends Sam LaPorta and Luke Lachey were the two top-graded tight ends. The duo boasted grades of 94.5 and 90.7, respectively.

LaPorta finished with four grabs for 95 yards, while Lachey added five receptions for 77 yards.

LaPorta’s career-long, 58 yard reception in the first quarter on Iowa’s first offensive play from scrimmage helped set the tone in the Hawkeyes’ win over Minnesota. That grab and LaPorta’s seven-yard reception on the drive helped set up the game’s opening field goal.

Then, LaPorta had receptions of six and 24 yards on Iowa’s next drive, a 12-play, 66-yard drive that ended with the Hawkeyes in the end zone on quarterback Spencer Petras’ 1-yard sneak.

Of course, LaPorta left the game with injury and that paved the way for Lachey to showcase why fans don’t have to worry about the position moving forward. After Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell was ruled out of bounds on his late-game interception (a terrible call), Lachey made sure Iowa fans could breathe easy, hauling in a 33-yard grab from Petras to position Drew Stevens for the game-winning, 21-yard field goal.

“I didn’t really run the full route because I knew it was going to be there, so I turned around and Spence threw a great ball and I just had to make it finish from there.

“It was great and after I caught it, all I was focused on was trying to gain as many yards as I could and holding onto the ball, because I knew at that point, we were probably in field goal range. Just trying to make the best opportunity for us,” Lachey said of his late grab.

Iowa closes its regular season versus Nebraska on Friday with a berth in the Big Ten Championship game on the line.

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Iowa Stock Index: Hawkeyes’ stock report after win over Minnesota

Iowa got the job done in a 13-10 win over Minnesota. Whose stock is rising, whose stock is falling after the win over the Gophers?

The Iowa Hawkeyes officially control their own destiny in the Big Ten West. A sentence more or less unfathomable just a month ago is a very real situation and a reality that is fully upon us. Next Friday is a win-and-in game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

At 7-4, following a rivalry victory over the Minnesota Badgers for the Floyd of Rosedale Trophy, the Hawkeyes are one win away from returning to Indianapolis. Their turnaround is nothing short of miraculous.

The four-game win streak they are riding right now has seen efforts from all three units at different times and has Iowa with a large preseason goal sitting right in front of them. The opportunity is theirs to take.

Quite a few Hawkeyes have had their hands in the mix helping create this winning streak, but there are a few that are seeing their stock rising as we continue down the final stretch of the season.

‘We have a chance to have a pretty good tandem’: Iowa thrilled with TEs Luke Lachey, Sam LaPorta

With Luke Lachey’s big performance against Michigan, it looks like Iowa now has a pair of tight ends it can depend upon for production.

Starting quarterback Spencer Petras had his best statistical game of 2022 in Saturday’s 27-14 loss against Michigan. The San Rafael, Calif., native deserves praise for some of the downfield throws he made this past weekend.

Part of the kudos have to go to tight end Luke Lachey as well, though. If it wasn’t clear already, Lachey showed again versus the Wolverines that he’s a legitimate running mate with established tight end Sam LaPorta.

Lachey finished with four receptions for 84 yards and hauled in the Hawkeyes’ final score of the day. The Columbus, Ohio, product had a pair of tough catches for 26 and 34 yards. He also had a 19 yard reception and his 5-yard touchdown catch.

Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz was asked if he’s encouraged by Lachey’s play.

“Really good. I can’t say we’re surprised. We’ve been watching him grow and develop. I don’t know what his actual age was when we recruited him, but he looked like he was 16, like a young-looking guy. But a tremendous guy with a great work ethic and good ability. It’s been fun to watch him grow. He’s playing really well.

“Right now we have a chance to have a pretty good tandem with him and Sam out there. But to make those big plays today gave us a spark, and it was great to see. That’ll help him and help our football team moving forward,” Ferentz said.

Again, Lachey’s contributions were a big reason why Petras wound up passing for the most yardage since a road trip to Maryland last season. Petras ended his day with 246 passing yards and the touchdown to Lachey.

It has Ferentz feeling like there’s some offensive positives coming out of a tough loss against the nation’s No. 4 team.

“I am. For a couple things, reasons. I talked about Sam and Luke. I think we have a chance now to have a pretty good tight end combination. Looks like Nico (Ragaini) is back pretty close to full speed, which is helpful to have a veteran player out there. Arland (Bruce IV) is doing some good things, and we’ll keep moving him along, and hopefully Brody (Brecht) is benefitting from every rep he gets, so I am. And then the other component, I thought up until I guess it was that last possession, next-to-last possession, we pass blocked better today against a group that’s pretty good. They have some guys.

“To me that’s encouraging. We had a meltdown on that last series. I think we were two scores down, and I’ve been there before as a line coach. It’s not that much fun. So it’s not like that’s the first time I’ve seen that. We’ll grow through that and work through that. I saw a lot of things I thought that were better, but that’s not going to get it done for us unless we really keep pushing this thing forward and squeezing some things dow,” Ferentz said.

After another strong performance from both Lachey and LaPorta, plenty more targets should be expected. Iowa can hope that it helps open up some new possibilities for its offense and give defenses an extra wrinkle to think about and to game plan for.

“Every year it’s what you have and try to play towards those strengths. We’re talking about Michigan; they’ve got a couple really good tight ends. One wasn’t here, I don’t think, but they’ve got a couple, three that are really good, good receivers and good backs. They’ve got a pretty veteran group there, at least a really capable group. We’re going to try to play to our strengths, and I think Luke is coming on, so that’s good,” Ferentz said.

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5 stars from Iowa’s 27-10 Big Ten-opening win over Rutgers

Which players stood out for the Hawkeyes against Rutgers? Here’s five players that stood out above the rest versus the Scarlet Knights.

Iowa left Piscataway, N.J., feeling good about its start in Big Ten play. After all, the Hawkeyes had just put the finishing touches on a 27-10 road win over Rutgers.

Naturally, there were plenty of standout performers in Iowa’s Big Ten-opening victory. Let’s take a look at five of the stars for the Hawks.