Tag: Mason Richman

Iowa OL Mason Richman tops the nation in crucial Pro Football Focus stat

Mason Richman has proven to be as good as they come.

The Iowa Hawkeyes have done it once again up front. They have yet another stud on their offensive line who is the product of patience and development.

Senior offensive lineman Mason Richman has been waiting for his time to shine and that moment appears that it is here just three games into the 2024 college football season. With 45 appearances and 42 stats to his credit, Richman is taking full advantage of his experience.

The success is evident as well. So far this season, Mason Richman is the highest-graded pass-blocking offensive lineman in all of college football per Pro Football Focus.

Mason Richman is delivering on expectations that were high for him entering this season. Before the season he was named to Phil Steele’s Second-Team All-Big Ten team and Athlon’s preseason Fourth-Team All-Big Ten team.

Through three games, the Iowa Hawkeyes’ offensive line has been stout. They have only allowed three sacks and are protecting Cade McNamara, which is allowing him to complete nearly 6% of his passes.

The senior from Blue Valley High School in Leawood, Kansas is the latest Iowa offensive line product to find his stride later in their career. Richman is on the path to join Tyler Linderbaum, Tristan Wirfs, and many other Hawkeye offensive linemen to go have successful NFL careers.

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Iowa football counting on offensive line continuity helping group turn corner

Iowa football is hoping continuity can help its offensive line turn the corner under new OC Tim Lester.

The Iowa Hawkeyes bring back an experienced-laden roster across the board.  According to ESPN’s returning production ranks, Iowa checks in at No. 10 nationally.

That is led by Iowa’s defense, which ranks No. 2 nationally. The Hawkeye offense ranks No. 33 in returning production, though.

New offensive coordinator Tim Lester inherits an offense that brings back its starting quarterback in Cade McNamara, standout tight end Luke Lachey, its top running backs in Leshon Williams, Kaleb Johnson and Jaziun Patterson and two of its top receivers in juniors Seth Anderson and Kaleb Brown.

Equally important is what Iowa brings back along its offensive line, though. Iowa returns starting offensive tackles Mason Richman and Gennings Dunker, starting guard Connor Colby and starting center Logan Jones.

Nick DeJong and Beau Stephens have each started games for the Hawkeyes over their Iowa careers as well.

Collectively, Iowa returns 58 offensive line starts from last season and a group that boasts 147 career starts.

As Iowa undergoes summer workouts, Colby shed light on what it looks like under new OC Tim Lester.

“I mean, there’s a few different things technique wise that he wants us doing, but ultimately the schemes and stuff that we’re running have kind of stayed the same. It’s just more with the wide receivers and stuff,” Colby said.

Richman hopes that continuity can help this offensive line group turn the corner.

“Very important. I think it definitely makes things a lot easier for transitions in terms of who our top dogs are gonna be, who are guys we’ve still got to push a little bit more and gives those younger guys a lot of time to keep getting better I think in that sense.

“Bringing back this many guys allows for younger guys to develop more behind us, but also for the older guys, get another year under your belt and another offseason and stuff like that is super important,” Richman said.

Richman said the key to this offensive line group making a serious jump in 2024 is to get the most out of every day.

“Yeah, I think it’s just every day everybody working their tails off as much as they can. Sometimes—and it’s in the most miniscule ways—guys might go through the motions in different ways. I think just the more we can push ourselves on the field and then in the weight room and stuff like that, the more prepared we’ll be for training camp and then for the season coming after that,” Richman said.

Colby echoed that sentiment.

“I think it’s just what we do on a daily basis from the reps we get together. I know that’s definitely a big thing, making sure all five are playing as one. Sometimes in the past couple years, we’ve had guys rotating in and out. I think now, all the guys coming back, we can finally gel together and hopefully take that next step,” Colby said.

One of the pieces of this offense that sounds like it’s changing is pre-snap motion. Colby joked that it isn’t changing a lot for he and the group up front.

“Yeah, I’m not going in motion any time soon. It’s just the cadence really. Got that down all spring, so we have a lot of reps under our belt with the new cadences. As long as we’re dialed in with that aspect, no false starts will be happening,” Colby said.

One of the common gripes with Iowa’s offensive woes over the past several seasons has been inconsistency up front. If Lester and Iowa offensive line coach George Barnett can get that group to finally gel, then McNamara and the Hawkeyes could be in for a surprisingly resurgent offensive season.

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9 Hawkeyes highlight Pro Football Focus’ preseason All-Big Ten team

Nine Iowa Hawkeyes made Pro Football Focus’ preseason All-Big Ten team, including five first-team selections.

Pro Football Focus released their preseason All-Big Ten teams, and judging from the results, it looks to be a big year for Iowa!

Last year, nine Hawkeyes received All-Big Ten honors. Despite five of those honorees moving on to the next level, Iowa once again has nine All-Big Ten preseason members for the 2023 season. Five players headline the group as first-team selections. Only two of those five are returning first-teamers from last year.

In all, Iowa has six players looking to make their debut on an All-Big Ten team in 2023. There are also a couple of notable omissions, players who weren’t featured but play a crucial role for this Iowa team. A little spoiler, there are two players we feature who absolutely should have made an All-Big Ten team, including someone who actually has made one before!

Here’s a look at the Hawkeyes featured on PFF’s preseason All-Big Ten team and where they ended up.

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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 may have accomplished the unthinkable: Spencer Petras, offense might have gotten worse

What happened versus South Dakota State might be worse than every Iowa fan’s worst nightmare: inexplicably, the Hawkeyes’ offense is worse.

Let’s get the “yeah, buts” out of the way right off the top. Iowa opened with the No. 3 team in the FCS in South Dakota State. The Hawkeyes did so minus their top running back and two of their top three wide receivers with both Gavin Williams and Keagan Johnson sidelined and wide receiver Nico Ragaini announced as out to start the week.

Those injuries are in addition to wide receiver Jackson Ritter and offensive lineman Justin Britt both being lost for the season. Plus, wide receiver Diante Vines isn’t expected back from his injury before at least the midway point of this season it doesn’t sound like.

It’s an offensive line that’s young in spots and looking to replace a first-round 2022 NFL draft pick in former center Tyler Linderbaum. Just to reiterate, South Dakota State is really good at the FCS level and has beaten FBS competition as recently as last season in Colorado State and hung with Minnesota in a 28-21 loss to start 2019.

All of this is true. It doesn’t change or excuse the fact that this looked and felt like rock bottom for Hawkeye quarterback Spencer Petras and the Iowa offense.

This was a flat-out embarrassing offensive performance for a program that spent all offseason looking to address a group that finished No. 121 nationally in total offense a season ago, averaging 303.7 yards per game.

Iowa ranked 101st in the country in rushing yards per game with 123.6 and 109th in passing yards per game with 180.1 last year. In 2021, Iowa registered an average of 16.5 first downs per game. In scoring offense, the Hawkeyes finished ranked No. 99, averaging 23.4 points per game.

So far, not so good in the improvement department. Iowa managed to do worse than each of those averages from last season. The Hawkeyes finished with a measly 166 yards of total offense, 109 passing yards and 57 rushing yards. Even though the score looks like the Hawkeyes tossed a conventional touchdown and PAT on the board, Iowa scored its seven points by virtue of one field goal and a pair of safeties. Oh, by the way, Iowa finished with 10 first downs and was 4-of-17 on third-down conversion tries.

In fact, Iowa’s seven points were the fewest by a winning Big Ten team since Iowa’s 6-4 triumph over Penn State in 2004. The Hawkeyes are also the first Big Ten team to win a game without scoring a touchdown since Nebraska beat Michigan State 9-6 in 2018.

At halftime, Petras was 6-of-15 passing for 41 yards with an interception. He finished 11-of-25 for 109 yards. All of the talk about this being a new-look offense sure didn’t hold up over the course of game one.

It could be as simple as Iowa truly doesn’t have a better option than Petras at quarterback. That’s what Ferentz said to start this season.

“It’s a long evaluation, and we evaluate everything, we tell our guys starting in January. Obviously we’re not doing football stuff, and both Spencer and Alex are both quality guys, but just the time on the field, I think Spencer has outperformed Alex a little bit at this point. He’s further ahead and gives us a better chance to be successful. That’s not to diminish what Alex has done. Both have improved.

“Now the thing is can we put this whole thing together and be a little bit more productive offensively. Both guys have done a good job. Spencer has continued to climb,” Ferentz said earlier this week when asked why Petras was able to secure Iowa’s starting quarterback job.

If that’s the case, then so be it, but it’s difficult for fans to reconcile not seeing other quarterbacks like Padilla or Labas get their chance outside of practice and in a game to try to deliver better for Iowa.

After all, as many in the Iowa echo chamber would pass along, right now, it doesn’t feel like it can get any worse. So, why not give those other two a chance and see if it can provide a spark?

It will get sold and painted as a positive that Iowa won the game 7-3 over South Dakota State despite offensive struggles. It’s not. It’s a negative that Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz and offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz were able to stick with Petras for the game’s entirety and win.

It sets up for the Hawkeyes to stay with a quarterback that means this team’s ceiling isn’t a Big Ten championship or maybe even a return appearance in the Big Ten Championship game. Today was the day to try out and see what it looked like once again with backup quarterback Alex Padilla or redshirt freshman Joe Labas.

Instead, the moment came and passed and now it’s on to Iowa State where tinkering at the quarterback position in-game could mean losing to your biggest rival for the first time in the past seven meetings. Obviously, the Iowa coaching staff hopes it doesn’t come to that.

The results versus the Jackrabbits indicate that it’s probably a matter of time before it does. Like the frustrating play that has defined Petras’ career at Iowa in the past, the San Rafael, Calif., native overthrew targets with regularity, struggled against pressure to identify where his open receivers were, he was intercepted on a pass behind his intended target in tight end Sam LaPorta, and missed a deep shot to wide receiver Alec Wick that could have helped sealed the game.

To be fair, Petras deserves a pass in this regard: like the subpar play that defined the back half of last season, it truly isn’t and wasn’t all his fault. The offensive line showed some serious weaknesses in game one.

Petras was under regular duress and the offensive line never could establish the Hawkeyes’ patented run game. Leshon Williams ended his day with 24 carries for a hard-earned 72 rushing yards, though he even had a costly fumble on Iowa’s lone offensive drive that seemed destined for the end zone. As a team, Iowa averaged just 1.6 yards per carry.

It’s week one, so overreactions are a dangerous game, but this was wildly uninspiring offensively from a program that needs improvement on that side of the football in the worst way.

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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 hopeful that youthful offensive line sheds 2021 criticisms

Injuries forced several into action in 2021. Now, Iowa’s offensive line youth movement has the Hawkeyes headed back on the right track.

If you watch any of the Hawkeyes in 2021, you know that the offensive line was very un-Iowa like. Typically the motor that guides the high-powered black and gold rushing attack, Iowa’s front five were undermanned and overmatched for much of the season. The rushing attack was sub-par, averaging 3.4 yards per carry.

This was with a 1,000-yard rusher in Tyler Goodson, a back who has possibly earned a roster spot with the Green Bay Packers this preseason. There was also far too much pressure on Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras. The deficiency really held Iowa back from what they do best, leading through their offensive line play.

In Chad Leistikow of Hawk Central’s latest report, there is a ton of optimism internally regarding the O-line.

Head coach Kirk Ferentz relayed his optimism that things would be better in 2022. Offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz remarked that “we’ve seen results” when it comes to improvement. Quarterbacks Spencer Petras and Alex Padilla have been enthusiastic about concept changes in the passing game. And in the “Kids Day at Kinnick” scrimmage on Saturday, the offense looked crisper than usual at this time of year.

Why the bullishness across the board?

Because of the horses up front. – Leistikow, Hawk Central.

It will be a very different unit than the year prior, something that has caused alarm for some. Of course, losing super center Tyler Linderbaum is a massive loss. His impact carrying the offensive line last year cannot be overstated.

There is a reasonable logic that since the Iowa line underperformed last season and lost their best player heading into this season that it could pose a massive problem to the offense once again. However, there is now a massive injection of youthful energy up front.

“It’s awesome. The kids’ ability to come out every day with an energy to them, just the way they’re working and the physicality they’re playing with right now,” Barnett said with Hawk Central of the Hawkeyes’ youth. “They’re going to make mistakes. But, man, they’re doing it at full speed. The meetings have been great. They’re thick in that Iowa camp development phase, and it’s been enjoyable.”

Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz remarked after Kids’ Day that he saw a jump with last year’s offensive line before and during the Vrbo Citrus Bowl against Kentucky.

“I thought all season long last year that—again, we have access to practice, you guys get to see our team on Saturdays, so I saw that growth. I think in the bowl game, that was probably as close as we were to looking like we want to look,” Ferentz said.

Left tackle Mason Richman also commented that they are looking a lot better as a whole this year. While they lost some experienced players, they are on to “better and newer things.”

Richman leads the charge for the new generation of Hawkeye bullies. As a redshirt freshman, Richman got his feet wet starting at left tackle. There were some growing pains, but it was valuable experience going against some of the best pass rushers in the nation. He’s added some mass during the offseason, self-reportedly up to 315 pounds now, and has the makings of the next great Iowa offensive tackle. He’s a boulder who’s light on his feet but still packs a punch.

Connor Colby also received starting time as a freshman last season, filling in at right guard. Colby is another rangy, athletic lineman who has filled in at right tackle over the offseason. He has that inside-outside potential and is another lineman to keep an eye on. Left guard Tyler Elsbury and defensive tackle turned center Logan Jones have also impressed.

This line is bigger and younger than last year, and is hungry to prove that Iowa is still the crown jewel for the big guys up front in the Big Ten.

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Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Connor Colby flexing his versatility

Iowa offensive lineman Connor Colby has been working at both guard and tackle, showcasing his versatility for the Hawkeyes.

Iowa offensive lineman Connor Colby has been showcasing his versatility, working at both offensive guard and tackle during the Hawkeyes’ 2022 training camp.

It’s already been important and figures to remain that way, too. Unfortunately, the Hawkeyes lost guard Justin Britt for the season, and while these aren’t season-ending injuries and don’t seem particularly serious listening to the Iowa coaching staff, both Mason Richman and Nick DeJong sat out during the Hawkeyes’ open scrimmage at the Kids’ Day at Kinnick.

After a season in which Colby started each of Iowa’s final 11 games at right guard, the ideal destination is probably to keep the 6-foot-6, 308 pound offensive lineman right there on the inside. Still, his versatility is something the Hawkeye coaching staff has to love.

Listening to Colby at Iowa Media Day, he’s fine so long as he’s got a spot on the field.

“I mean it’s been fun, anything I can do to be out there and play football. It’s a change up every now and then, keeps me on my toes,” Colby said.

Ultimately, Colby is keeping any inherent differences between guard and tackle pretty simplistic.

“You have to be ready no matter what, because no matter what there’s going to be a good guy across from you and you have to be ready to handle them,” Colby said.

In terms of bright futures in Iowa City, Colby’s would have to be right toward the top of the list. As a true freshman, Colby garnered All-America status from the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and the Maxwell Football Club.

Thanks to his standout true frosh campaign, Colby has been picking up recognition before this 2022 season boots off. Phil Steele named Colby a preseason second-team All-Big Ten selection, while Athlon Sports handed out preseason third-team All-Big Ten status to the sophomore.

With plenty expected of Colby, he’s just happy to be fully settled into what Iowa offensive line coach George Barnett and the Hawkeyes are asking of him.

“This year I have a better understanding of what’s going. I need to keep improving my fundamentals in order to make a big difference from this year to last year,” Colby said.

The Hawkeyes head into 2022 as one of the favorites in the Big Ten West. As the defending West division champion, there’s a laundry list of games that could fit the billing as one of the Hawkeyes’ most important.

Colby isn’t ready to iron down which one he’s looking forward to the most.

“I am excited for all of them, but I think the first time back in Kinnick Stadium will be fun. Coming out of the tunnel again, experiencing the atmosphere of all the fans. And they are all sold out this year, which is a testament to our loyal fan support,” Colby said.

As Iowa looks to get more out of its offense in 2022, one of the reasons for optimism is the man from Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Colby epitomizes a lot of the Hawkeyes’ hopes along their offensive line.

Similar to several of his teammates, the hope is his inexperience from last season morphs into seasoned play in 2022.

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Can year two under George Barnett yield an OL breakthrough for the Iowa Hawkeyes?

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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Mason Richman enjoying newfound comfort level, focusing on team mindset

After starting 12 games at left tackle in 2021, Mason Richman is comfortable and taking a team mindset with him into the 2022 season.

Mason Richman started 12 games last season for Iowa at left tackle as a redshirt freshman. Now, he knows what to expect from Big Ten football as he enters his second season of starting work with the Hawkeyes.

The 6-foot-6, 296 pound offensive tackle out of Blue Valley High School in Leawood, Kan., is one of five players with returning starting experience for Iowa. The Hawkeyes also return starting right guard Connor Colby and Jack Plumb. Colby started the final 11 games, while Plumb started each of the final seven games of the season.

Iowa brings back Justin Britt and Nick DeJong, too. Britt started the first three games of 2021 at right guard and DeJong the first seven at right tackle. All of that has to make Iowa offensive line coach George Barnett excited about what his group’s potential could be in 2022.

Richman met with Hawk Central and the Iowa media to discuss his newfound comfort level heading into 2022, his thoughts on the Hawkeyes’ offensive line and what he’s emphasizing for himself this season.