Our next stop is to Iowa City, where the Iowa Hawkeyes are not going to hold a spring game this year, but announced on April 1st they will hold two practices in which fans will be able to attend.
Iowa: Public Spring Practices, April 17th & May 1st
The Iowa Hawkeyes have started spring ball on March 30th and are looking to build on a solid but shortened 2020 season. It was a year that began with off field disruptions, but then saw the program rally around itself to put together a respectable campaign that ended with a 6-2 record and second place in the Big Ten West. Now the Hawkeyes are gearing up to achieve even bigger things in 2021.
Iowa has released a spring depth chart, but as every coach will tell you, it might not mean anything until after camp.
We’ve got spring football depth charts. Here are the Iowa two-deeps to start the spring: pic.twitter.com/hL6cTlMxlB
— Robert Read (@Robert_Read34) March 29, 2021
First, The O-Line
The Hawkeyes received an early 2021 twist when senior lineman Mark Kallenberger decided to end his college career instead of using his extra year of eligibility to return to the team. Kallenberger was thought to be one of the starting lineman heading into this season, specifically at tackle, but his retirement creates an unexpected hole.
Kallenberger’s retirement is of additional importance as news broke earlier this year that the other starting tackle, Alaric Jackson, is leaving for the NFL draft. The loss of the two starting tackles is a setback on the offensive line and a problem that Iowa will work to figure out starting this spring.
Most likely one of those positions will be occupied by junior lineman Jack Plumb, who was the reserve lineman that played for Kallenberger when he was down with injury. It’s thought he can handle either tackle position, but due to his experience he may end up on the left side as the blind side protector.
The other tackle spot is where the battle for playing time could see the most action. The spring depth chart shows that the Hawkeyes are considering moving left guard Cody Ince, who started six of the eight games last year at the position, to the outside at right tackle. Doing so however would be creating another hole on the line which would need to be filled. Iowa appears to be looking to some of its young and upcoming talent, such as sophomore Justin Britt, to fill in at guard if Ince is indeed moved.
That option may very well be the preferable method for the Hawkeyes as any young player would be partnered next to Rimington Trophy Finalist, Tyler Linderbaum, whose strong presence in the middle of the line may make any transition easier.
Kirk Ferentz and his staff will actually get a spring camp this year to begin work on resolving the questions facing the offensive line, which is even more important due to the loss of former offensive line coach Tim Polasek who left for Wyoming. Now, George Barnett steps into that role and will be working with Ferentz to identify then implement the best plan moving forward.
Then, The D-Line
While Iowa has questions about the offensive line, they have even more questions about the defensive line.
The Hawkeyes defense is losing tackles Daviyon Nixon and Jack Heflin, while also losing Chauncey Golston on the edge. All three of these players are moving on to the NFL, and replacing talent that is good enough to play on Sundays is no small feat.
In Iowa’s release of the initial spring depth chart, junior John Waggoner was listed as the starting left end, while junior Joe Evans was the backup. Both though should see ample opportunity to compete during the spring and summer for the right to take over Golston’s starting role.
On the interior of the line we could see a four-way battle fought by players who have potential, but lack any real playing time. Junior Noah Shannon, sophomore Logan Lee, and redshirt freshmen Yahya Black and Logan Jones are your initial candidates to replace Nixon and Heflin at the tackle spots. Don’t be surprised if you see a heavy rotation of these four players at the tackle position early in the season, as this battle might not be be decided until the games have already begun.
It isn’t all bad news for the Hawkeyes though as Iowa does see the return of edge rusher and senior Zach VanValkenburg, who turned in a solid 2020 campaign with 30 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Ferentz and the staff will rely on him to become the leader of the unit while the other roles are ironed out this off-season.
Who Are The Top Targets
Ihmir Smith-Marsette and Brandon Smith were Iowa’s two leading receivers on the team last year, but both are moving on to the NFL, meaning Iowa needs to find playmakers on the outside to replace them.
Lots of focus is on presumed starting quarterback junior Spencer Petras and if he can take a big step in his maturation as a player and signal caller, but Iowa will need to find weapons to support him or any step forward might be hindered.
Junior receiver Nico Ragaini is poised to see more action as he is the most experienced player at the position to return, and is coming off a decent year in 2020 with 18 receptions for 191 yards. Beyond Ragaini though is anyone’s guess.
Iowa may find itself in a position where at receiver it will be looking at relying on inexperienced talent to step up and begin contributing, whether that be senior Charlie Jones, 4-star incoming freshman Arland Bruce IV, or anyone in between. Though if returns are not what they would like to see, it’s possible Iowa could make a late run at a receiver in the transfer portal.
Until the receiver core is more situated, you might see the tight ends used heavily as receiving options, lead by junior Sam Laporta. Laporta had the second most receptions on the team last year with 27 receptions for 271 yards and a touchdown. The Iowa coaching staff might be asking more of him this year if the receivers need more time to emerge as viable threats on the outside.