Hawkeye freshmen hoping to make an impact
Those who keep track of scholarship offers, official visits and clear out their schedule on the first Wednesday of February know what recruiting can do for a team.
When those recruits step onto the field to make an impact as freshmen, it's pure, unadulterated instant gratification. And who doesn't like instant gratification?
From a group of 52 that have never played a down of Iowa football (including redshirt freshmen), a breakdown of those most likely to pick up grass stains in 2010:
Virtual Locks
C.J. Fiedorowicz (TE) — Dude's a beast. Colton John Fiedorowicz is just 18 years old, but may be the most Big Ten-ready freshman Iowa has ever had as he already checks in at 6'7" 250 pounds. Allen Reisner is a highly capable tight end and the starting job is his, but it may be a matter of being impossible NOT to play Fiedorowicz for the Hawkeye coaching staff. He also received several Division I scholarship offers to play basketball, and many signs point to him being the next in a long line of Iowa tight ends to play in the NFL.
James Morris (LB) — The homegrown talent hails from just up the road in Solon, and has been a dominant overall athlete as a prep for several years. Morris will most likely see the most time on special teams, but don't be surprised to see him play a few downs at linebacker to spell upperclassmen.
Jim Poggi (LB) — Poggi may be in the same boat as Morris as they are two of seven true freshmen linebackers on the roster. The starting linebacker group includes two seniors that will be gone after the season, and that reason alone stands as a basis to why the coaching staff may want to get both of them some game action in preparation for the future. Poggi and Morris appear to be the most physically ready of all the freshmen at the position.
Possibilities
Marcus Coker/DeAndre Johnson (RB) — These two have been grouped together because, in all likelihood, one or the other will take a redshirt. That "one or the other" depends a lot on the severity of Coker's injury suffered the first week of practice, which was first reported as a broken clavicle. Recent news has come out that it isn't as severe as first believed, and he could even be back close to the season opener. Nevertheless, Coker hasn't been practicing with his arm in a sling.
But the running back situation has been clear as mud from the get-go, and became even blurrier with sophomore Brandon Wegher's leave of absence. At this point, you would have to believe Wegher is probably out for 2010, which opens up a possible slot for one of the two freshmen. Iowa has also had a history of injuries at the position, which could maybe send Coker or Johnson into the two-deeps at some point this season.
Jonathan Mullings (P) — Mullings possesses a canon of a leg that could be the Hawkeyes' best option for kickoffs. It's highly unlikely he takes over any other kicking duties, but could break into the lineup as the specialist if he forgoes a redshirt this year.
Outside shots
Michael Meyer (K) — Playing a position that may be one of the easier positions to break into as a freshman paired with a kicking game that has been average at best over the last few years, could have the walk-on Meyer handling place-kicking duties. Daniel Murray and Trent Mossbrucker opened up camp battling for the spot, but have been "inconsistent" according to Ferentz. It's a skill that is very cut and dry, and if Meyer can prove he's the best, the job should be his. But Ferentz may deem the race too close to call and elect to go with Murray or Mossbrucker and the experience they already have behind them.
Andrew Donnal (OL) — Donnal is probably an even greater outside shot simply because of the difficulty it is to break into the offensive line as a freshman. Still, the 6'7" 285-pounder could make his way on the field in a spot that the Hawkeyes also have a history of mid-season injuries.
B.J. Lowery (CB) — Lowery appears to have the talent to be playing according to early season comments, but it is simply a deep defensive backfield — and defense in general — to break into. Still, some PT on special teams could be in store, but it would be unlikely to burn a redshirt for that reason alone.
Redshirt freshman impact:
Brad Rogers (RB) — The aforementioned running back situation has shot Rogers up the depth chart, and the bruiser almost had to burn his redshirt in 2009 because of injuries to other backs. There has been some speculation of a switch to fullback, but there has been nothing official yet.
Brett Van Sloten (OL) — Van Sloten is on the two-deeps released prior to fall practice, and that's as good of reason as any to think he may have an impact in 2010. Especially because he's part of an largely unproven offensive line unit that could see some shake-ups along the way.
Conor Boffeli (OL) — The center position is believed to be a two-man race between Josh Koeppel and James Ferentz, but Boffeli has also made his way onto the preseason depth chart. Should things not work out in front of him, Boffeli figures to be the next man in.
Jordan Cotton (WR) — It's unlikely Cotton will see a lot of snaps because of the deep receiving group ahead of him, but his versatility alone could put him on the field. Cotton possesses kick returning ability and could see action in the slot in heavy-wide-receiver sets.
When those recruits step onto the field to make an impact as freshmen, it's pure, unadulterated instant gratification. And who doesn't like instant gratification?
From a group of 52 that have never played a down of Iowa football (including redshirt freshmen), a breakdown of those most likely to pick up grass stains in 2010:
Virtual Locks
C.J. Fiedorowicz (TE) — Dude's a beast. Colton John Fiedorowicz is just 18 years old, but may be the most Big Ten-ready freshman Iowa has ever had as he already checks in at 6'7" 250 pounds. Allen Reisner is a highly capable tight end and the starting job is his, but it may be a matter of being impossible NOT to play Fiedorowicz for the Hawkeye coaching staff. He also received several Division I scholarship offers to play basketball, and many signs point to him being the next in a long line of Iowa tight ends to play in the NFL.
James Morris (LB) — The homegrown talent hails from just up the road in Solon, and has been a dominant overall athlete as a prep for several years. Morris will most likely see the most time on special teams, but don't be surprised to see him play a few downs at linebacker to spell upperclassmen.
Jim Poggi (LB) — Poggi may be in the same boat as Morris as they are two of seven true freshmen linebackers on the roster. The starting linebacker group includes two seniors that will be gone after the season, and that reason alone stands as a basis to why the coaching staff may want to get both of them some game action in preparation for the future. Poggi and Morris appear to be the most physically ready of all the freshmen at the position.
Possibilities
Marcus Coker/DeAndre Johnson (RB) — These two have been grouped together because, in all likelihood, one or the other will take a redshirt. That "one or the other" depends a lot on the severity of Coker's injury suffered the first week of practice, which was first reported as a broken clavicle. Recent news has come out that it isn't as severe as first believed, and he could even be back close to the season opener. Nevertheless, Coker hasn't been practicing with his arm in a sling.
But the running back situation has been clear as mud from the get-go, and became even blurrier with sophomore Brandon Wegher's leave of absence. At this point, you would have to believe Wegher is probably out for 2010, which opens up a possible slot for one of the two freshmen. Iowa has also had a history of injuries at the position, which could maybe send Coker or Johnson into the two-deeps at some point this season.
Jonathan Mullings (P) — Mullings possesses a canon of a leg that could be the Hawkeyes' best option for kickoffs. It's highly unlikely he takes over any other kicking duties, but could break into the lineup as the specialist if he forgoes a redshirt this year.
Outside shots
Michael Meyer (K) — Playing a position that may be one of the easier positions to break into as a freshman paired with a kicking game that has been average at best over the last few years, could have the walk-on Meyer handling place-kicking duties. Daniel Murray and Trent Mossbrucker opened up camp battling for the spot, but have been "inconsistent" according to Ferentz. It's a skill that is very cut and dry, and if Meyer can prove he's the best, the job should be his. But Ferentz may deem the race too close to call and elect to go with Murray or Mossbrucker and the experience they already have behind them.
Andrew Donnal (OL) — Donnal is probably an even greater outside shot simply because of the difficulty it is to break into the offensive line as a freshman. Still, the 6'7" 285-pounder could make his way on the field in a spot that the Hawkeyes also have a history of mid-season injuries.
B.J. Lowery (CB) — Lowery appears to have the talent to be playing according to early season comments, but it is simply a deep defensive backfield — and defense in general — to break into. Still, some PT on special teams could be in store, but it would be unlikely to burn a redshirt for that reason alone.
Redshirt freshman impact:
Brad Rogers (RB) — The aforementioned running back situation has shot Rogers up the depth chart, and the bruiser almost had to burn his redshirt in 2009 because of injuries to other backs. There has been some speculation of a switch to fullback, but there has been nothing official yet.
Brett Van Sloten (OL) — Van Sloten is on the two-deeps released prior to fall practice, and that's as good of reason as any to think he may have an impact in 2010. Especially because he's part of an largely unproven offensive line unit that could see some shake-ups along the way.
Conor Boffeli (OL) — The center position is believed to be a two-man race between Josh Koeppel and James Ferentz, but Boffeli has also made his way onto the preseason depth chart. Should things not work out in front of him, Boffeli figures to be the next man in.
Jordan Cotton (WR) — It's unlikely Cotton will see a lot of snaps because of the deep receiving group ahead of him, but his versatility alone could put him on the field. Cotton possesses kick returning ability and could see action in the slot in heavy-wide-receiver sets.
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