Freshmen Stock Report: Iowa Offense
The true freshmen on the Hawkeye football team will be reporting later this week. That means it’s a good time to do a stock report on the incoming group of first year players.
This time around we will divide it up and start with a look at the offensive players who will be spending their first summer in Iowa City. There are 12 different first year players on defense in the Class of 2023.
There are a couple of trends to take note of when it comes to Iowa’s first year players on offense. First, the Hawkeyes have been pretty generous over the years finding ways for tight ends, running back, wide receivers to play.
Also, the closer they are to the ball, specifically playing offensive line, the less likely it is that they see the field in their first year with the Hawkeyes. Sure there have been instances like Tristian Wirfs, but more than likely all the offensive linemen will end up redshirting.
QUARTERBACK
Marco Lainez – The New Jersey signal caller is a really strong and probably underrated prospect. Having said that, Lainez is almost certainly ticketed for scout team quarterback and a redshirt year. STOCK: REDSHIRT
RUNNING BACK
Terrell Washington Jr. – One thing helping Washington a little bit is that he arrived in January and that will help put him ahead of the curve. Having said that, Iowa has three very solid running back options ahead of him and unless there are injuries, he’s ticketed for a redshirt year. STOCK: LIKELY REDSHIRT
Kamari Moulton – The Florida back arrives this week and has a nice skill set. However, he’s in the same spot at Washington and that means a redshirt season is coming his way. STOCK: LIKELY REDSHIRT
TIGHT END
Zach Ortwerth – The St. Louis native will likely need a season in the weight room to prepare for the rough and tumble Big Ten. STOCK: LIKELY REDSHIRT
Grant Leeper – As you know, I mention that there’s always a surprise guy who ends up playing in his first year at position no one expects. I’m not ready to say it will be Leeper, but he’s on that radar. Still think he’s a redshirt, but we will be watching him. STOCK: LIKELY REDSHIRT
WIDE RECEIVER
Jarriett Buie – The Florida native is a really interesting prospect. He is the son of a former NFL player and has pretty solid ball skills. Iowa is going to leave the door completely open to one or more of the true freshmen getting into the mix for playing time. STOCK: LEAN REDSHIRT
Dayton Howard – Intriguing player here. Flew under the radar and has really nice size at 6-4 and 190 pounds. He’s a player that I will be watching in fall camp and he’s also in the mix for playing time this fall. STOCK: LEAN REDSHIRT
Alex Mota – It took Iowa a while to decide that Mota was a wide receiver. He’s more athlete than receiver at this point, which tells me that they are going to have to spring this year developing him. STOCK: LIKELY REDSHIRT
OFFENSIVE LINE
Trevor Lauck – The Indiana native was highly rated coming out of high school. If there is a player from this group that plays this year it might be Lauck, but it seems unlikely. STOCK: REDSHIRT
Leighton Jones – I think Jones is going to eventually be a good one. He’s an accomplished wrestler and usually those type of players who are in the mix at guard/center do pretty well for the Hawkeyes. However, it’s a year of learning for Jones. STOCK: REDSHIRT
Kade Pieper – The sleeper in this class has to be Pieper. He put on quite a show nearly throwing a shotput into the woods this spring. But, it’s a redshirt year. STOCK: REDSHIRT
Cannon Leonard – He’s listed at 6-8 and might be 6-9, which means he’s a big tackle prospect. He’s a good prep basketball player too and that will help his development. But, it’s a year of learning for Leonard. STOCK: REDSHIRT
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