Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara runs the offense against the Colorado State Rams on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. (Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK)
Influx of Transfers New for Iowa
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IOWA CITY, Iowa - In some ways, it was the typical spring transition for Iowa’s football program.
Monday was Iowa’s Pro Day, when some of the Hawkeyes from last season did workouts for NFL scouts.
And then Wednesday was the first spring practice for the 2023 team.
Such a schedule isn’t unusual. But what was unusual was the Hawkeyes will be incorporating 11 newcomers on the roster this spring.
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz dipped a little deeper than normal into the NCAA’s transfer portal, and working in new players who are learning a new system will be a part of the spring challenge.
“That's really been an interesting process for us,” Ferentz said. “We’ve got two more guys that are scheduled to be here in June. Looking forward to that, as well.
“All that being said, you’ve got different perspectives, a new mix of people. It's something we really didn't want to take for granted. Make sure that the guys had a chance to transition into the program regardless of age, experience, etc. I think the commonality is they all want to play football and they all want to be in a place where they're welcomed, feel a sense of belonging.”
The biggest change will be at quarterback, where Cade McNamara is No. 1 on the depth chart after transferring from Michigan.
McNamara will be somewhat limited this spring because he’s coming off knee surgery from last season. Ferentz said he’s, “Not full throttle, but is doing some work in 7-on-7 drills.
“The good news is he's been throwing some individual stuff, throwing on his own,” Ferentz said. “As long as there's nobody around him, as long as he's comfortable, we're going to let him participate in that.”
Still, it will take a while for Iowa’s offense to be at full strength. Ferentz said there are some limited numbers on the offensive line because of injuries. Two wide receivers, Jacob Bostick and Seth Anderson, are also out with injuries. Tight end Erick All, another transfer from Michigan, is practicing but Ferentz said his work could be limited at times as he works his way back from surgery in October.
“I mentioned we're a little thin in the offensive line,” Ferentz said. “Hopefully we'll get a couple guys back here next week or the week after. That will enable us to ramp things up a little bit more. We'll just adjust where we have to. I think today went well. Try to look at the big picture and not sweat out every little detail of what's going on today, but keep the big picture in mind.”
Ferentz said the offensive line is one of the position groups that needs to take a big step in the spring.
“The more I watch film, especially in the offensive line, it's just hard to duplicate experience, whether it's playing or practicing,” Ferentz said. “I went over the litany of challenges that we faced the last two years probably with that group, and continue to face because we're a little thin right now. I wish we weren't, but we are. From my experience, the only way you get better is going out there, you have to practice it, you have to rep it, just get better at developing your skills, plus physical maturity helps. I still remain very cautiously optimistic. If we can get what we need to get done in reasonable fashion, I think we're going to be just fine.”
Other football-related notes from Wednesday’s press conference:
• Ferentz likes the competition behind McNamara at quarterback.
Joe Labas, who started Iowa’s Music City Bowl win over Kentucky, is No. 2, with transfer Deacon Hill at No. 3.
“We'll know a lot more next fall,” Ferentz said. “But I like the group. I think there's good competition. I think they're all good for each other and good with each other.”
• Spencer Petras, Iowa’s starting quarterback the last three seasons, is still on the roster, but isn’t a part of the Hawkeyes’ plans as he recovers from a severe injury to his throwing arm and shoulder suffered in the regular-season finale against Nebraska.
“It was a pretty serious surgery he had,” Ferentz said.
• Kaleb Johnson was No. 1 on the depth chart at running back, with Leshon Williams and Jaziun Patterson behind him, but Ferentz said there is “a healthy competition right now.”
Johnson rushed for 779 yards last season, while Williams rushed for 413. Patterson had 47 yards in three games.
• Center Logan Jones struggled at times last season in his first games at center, but Ferentz said he expects improvement.
“I talked to him about getting his hands up quicker. You see times on film where it's not natural yet. But he will. He's got a great attitude. He kills the out-of-season program. Everything he does, he's a guy who is always out front working and pushing.
“I think I said this before. We all kind of got sucked into it last year. He just does things with such proficiency. We're playing our first game last year, I totally forgot that he had never played college football. That's a big hurdle, a big step for a guy. He's taken that step now. He can work on getting better and keep improving. He's driven that way mentally.”
• Ferentz said the spring will be important for the linebackers. Jay Higgins, No. 1 on the depth chart at middle linebacker with Jack Campbell off to the NFL draft, leads the group, but there is plenty of competition for playing time.
“We have some quality guys (but) we're thin. Start with … it's easy to pick Jay (Higgins) because he played a lot last year. A guy that's ascended in the program. To think we're going to replace Jack Campbell is not realistic. We don't have a guy like him.
“The group I'm excited about, just cherry pick. You have Jay (Higgins), Carson (Sharar), Kyler Fisher. Kyler is the same thing, we really see him ascending right now. Karson is a guy that's really intriguing. This spring will be really important for them.”
