After three stagnant seasons where the Hawkeyes combined for a 19-18 record, Coach Kirk Ferentz and Iowa re-emerged last year as a Big Ten contender with a 9-4 (5-3) season and the Big Ten's only bowl win. The Hawkeyes lose Doak Walker Award Winner Shonn Greene, and his 1,850 yards and 20 TD, and they also lose heart and soul Mitch King along with gritty four-year starter Matt Kroul. If the Hawkeyes can manage a consistent run game and solid play from their new defensive tackle, they have a real shot at a BCS Bowl Game.
Offense
The Hawkeyes averaged 30.3 points per game, second in the Big Ten behind only Penn State's Spread HD. The Hawkeyes struggled on offense in first six games as the linemen gelled. In their seventh game, Iowa came out on the road and put up 45 points on Indiana. With Stanzi comfortable at QB, the Hawkeyes put up 38 on Wisconsin at home and 55 on Minnesota on the road. The key to the Iowa offense is surprisingly not the running back. It is the center. Rob Bruggeman had a tremendous season last year and held together a talented line. The spot is up for grabs this season, and the winner will be counted on heavily. Iowa has a potent offense that can average 30+ points per game for the second straight year.
Quarterback
Rick Stanzi is a proven commodity after throwing for 1,956 yards 14 TD and 9 INT last season. If he cuts down on the turnovers, Stanzi could have an All-Big Ten type season.
"I have a QB right now who is going to be one of the better QB's I've ever seen," said Derell Johnson-Koulianos, a Junior WR. "I've never been around a player who has worked so hard."
The laid-back Stanzi has plenty of weapons to throw to and is mobile in the pocket. Don't be surprised if he ends up as the best or second best quarterback in the Big Ten.
The backups consist of two Redshirt Freshmen. James Vandenberg is from Keokuk, IA and has set many state passing records. John Weinke is a left-hander from Illinois who is known for his cannon arm. Neither has distinguished themselves as the number two.
Running Back
Running back is one of the most interesting positions in this Hawkeye team. Iowa returns Sophomore Jewel Hampton who carried the ball 91 times for 463 yards and 7 TDs in backup duty last season. Hampton gashed Indiana for 114 yards and 3 TD, and showed power and shiftiness. Many of Iowa's defenders dislike tackling Hampton in practice because he never stops moving his legs.
Behind Hampton is 5-foot-11 215 Lb. Floridian Redshirt Freshman Jeff Brinson. Brinson is the ultimate hard-nosed runner and has been compared to Shonn Greene. Brinson redshirted last season, struggling to adjust to the cold Iowa climate with an asthma problem. Brinson is healthy, breathing right, and ready to pound the ball. Incoming freshman Brandon Wegher is the wild card.
Wegher ran a 4.43 coming out of high school.
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He also set all sorts of Iowa records rushing for more than 3,000 yards and 50 TD.
Wegher put on a show in the 3A State Championship game against Decorah, winning the game's MVP award. Wegher will most likely get limited carries but can be split out into the slot.
Filling out the position is Junior Paki O'Meara, a tough walk-on from Cedar Rapids with experience.
At fullback both players with starting experience return, Junior Brett Morse, and Sophomore Wade Leppert.
Tight End
Senior Tony Moeaki is arguably the most talented Tight End Iowa has ever recruited. Too bad he can't say on the field. Moeaki has suffered all sorts of unlucky, ridiculous injuries. If Moeaki can stay healthy he is the ultimate Tight End.
"He can block like a lineman, catch and run patterns like a receiver," said Offensive Coordinator Ken O' Keefe.
Behind Moeaki is talented Jr. Allen Reisner from Marion, IA. Reisner had 200 yards on 11 catches last season. If Moeaki gets injured again, Sophomore Brad Herman will step in Reisner's role.
Wide Receiver
This is arguably the most confusing position for the Hawkeyes. The returning leader, Junior Derell Johnson-Koulianos, or DJK, is currently sitting on the second team in the depth chart. DJK had 639 yards on 44 catches and 3 TD including a 7 catch, 181 yard performance against Minnesota. After DJK, the level of production significantly drops. Oft-Injured Senior Trey Stross will most likely lock down on starting position, while DJK grabs the other. 6-foot-4 Sophomore former QB Marvin McNutt is rapidly improving and could be a factor. As could true freshman Keenan Davis, a Cedar Rapids prep star and four-star recruit. Davis has been getting rave reviews in workouts and already has a college physique. Juniors Colin Sandeman and Paul Cheney Jr. fill out the group.
Offensive Live
The Hawkeyes return one of the best lines in the country. Led by Junior left tackle Bryan Bulaga, the Hawkeyes gained 188.7 yards per game. Iowa returns two more starters in right tackle Senior Kyle Calloway, and Junior right guard Julian Vendevelde. Vandevelde had off-season biceps surgery and may not be back until mid-season.
Center is the most interesting position on the line. There is a three-way battle between former starter Senior Rafael Eubanks, and Junior Josh Koeppel and Redshirt Freshman James Ferentz. Vandevelde could also play center when he returns.
At left guard, big Dace Richardson returns after missing most of two seasons with major knee surgery. On the other side Sophomore Adam Gettis will fill in for Vandevelde, and may start if Vandevelde moves to center. Seniors Dan Doering and Andy Kuempel are also battling for playing time.
Defense
The Iowa defense had a stellar season last year giving up only 13.0 points per game. With stories like Pat Angerer, Mitch King, Tyler Sash, and Bradley Fletcher the defense emerged seemingly from nowhere. This season the Hawks return all three linebackers, both defensive ends, and three/fourths of their secondary. If the defensive tackles can adjust quickly, Iowa may have the best defense in the Big Ten, again.
Defensive End
What Iowa has at defensive end is something every coach wishes he had: three starters, but only positions open. Returning are starters Juniors Christian Ballard and Adrian Clayborn, both four-star recruits. Ballard and Clayborn combined for 11.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.
The third entity in the equation is long-armed Sophomore Broderick Binns, who dominated the outside in late-season third down situations. In limited time, Binns had 2.5 TFL, 2 sacks, and a fumble recovery. Look for Binns to possibly lead the team in sacks.
LeBron Daniel is a Sophomore from one of the best schools in the country, Glenville in Cleveland. Daniel played against top competition in high school and received high praise from defensive line coach Rick Kaczenski. Injuries to former Tipton star Chad Geary and Joe Gaglione leave the position with less depth than needed.
Defensive Tackles
The loss of Mitch King and Matt Kroul is the biggest hit on defense. Without King, Iowa loses their passion, and without Kroul - their strength. Replacing them will be a tall order, but Junior Karl Klug and Sophomore Mike Daniels look like they are up to the job. Although both undersized, Klug and Daniels play with grit and heart much like King and Kroul.
"Klug is so tough to block," said Julian VandeVelde. "He's like a hurricane; not unlike Mitch King."
Mike Daniels is bigger than Klug, and is another coach favorite. Behind the perceived starters are young guns Cody Hundertmark of Humboldt, IA and Steve Bigach, who put on 30 pounds in the off-season and now checks in at 270.
Linebacker
The trio of Senior A.J. Edds, Senior Pat Angerer, and Junior Jeremiha Hunter return to give Iowa arguably the best linebacking corps in the Big Ten. Edds is known for his speed and can cover wide receivers. Angerer will take over as the team's emotional leader, and comes into the season as the defending leading tackler and even tied for the league lead in interceptions. Hunter is a former four-star recruit who was second on the team in tackles.
Behind the starters are Junior Jeff Tarpinian, who essentially beat out Hunter for the starting spot last year only to get hurt, Junior Troy Johnson of Lakeland, FL and Sophomore Tyler Nielsen of Humboldt. Iowa is strong and deep at linebacker.
Secondary
The Hawkeyes return the best corner in the Big Ten, Junior Amari Spievey and the 2008 Big Ten leader in interceptions, Sophomore Tyler Sash. Sash is coming off of shoulder surgery, but says he's ready to go. Brett Greenwood is the incumbent at free safety, and is a solid cerebral player. Junior Jordan Bernstine is leading the race to start at cornerback on the other side, due mainly to Sophomore Shaun Prater's two-game DUI suspension. William Lowe, Greg Castillo, Jack Swanson, and David Cato are the back-ups in the secondary. All are either sophomores or freshmen.
Special Teams
The Hawkeyes enter camp with a kicker controversy yet again. Junior Daniel Murray is currently leading the race after his historic game-winning kick against Penn State. Sophomore Trent Mossbrucker hit 13/15 field goals next year, but not one longer than 39 yards.
Junior Punter Ryan Donahue is becoming one of the best in the Big Ten, and could win major awards before his career is over.
The return teams are a weakness that will need to be addressed.
"We're literally going to try everybody," said Ferentz of the kick return squad. Currently starting running back Jewel Hampton and walk-on Paki O'Meara are the starters, but Freshman Brandon Wegher was told he would return kicks during his recruitment. DJK, Paul Cheney, and Colin Sandeman all have experience as well.
On the punt return team, Sandeman is leading, but a player like Wegher could take over during the year.
Schedule
The Hawkeyes play one of the toughest schedules in the Big Ten. Their four conference road games are at #8 Penn State, at Wisconsin (ranked 44th based on votes received in the USA Today poll), at Michigan State (27th in the USA Today) and at # 6 Ohio State.
Penn State is looking for revenge, and East Lansing and Columbus have been houses of horrors for the Hawkeyes, not to mention Wisconsin is always tough at Camp Randall. If Iowa can split these games, it should be a successful season barring any letdowns. If Iowa can go 3-1 or better in these four, look out BCS.
The Hawkeyes play UNI, Arkansas State, Arizona, and Iowa State non-conference. Only Iowa State is on the road and Cyclones are always up for the in-state rivalry. If everything goes right, Iowa should be an easy 4-0 in those games. At home Iowa plays Michigan, Northwestern, Indiana, and Minnesota, all four winnable games.
Outlook
If Iowa can get consistent center and defensive line play they are a force to be reckoned with. The running game looks good in the hands of Hampton and Brinson, and Stanzi looks poised to become one of the Big Ten's best. If Iowa comes out of Happy Valley with a win, there is a distinct possibility Iowa could be either 10-0 or 9-1 (loss to Michigan State) going into the Horseshoe to play the Buckeyes.
That's the bright side, but the schedule is very hard.
"It's really conceivable that we have a better team than last year," said Ferentz. And have a record that doesn't indicated that."
