Iowa Post-Spring Position Analysis: WR

IOWA CITY, Iowa - Receiver rivals offensive line at Iowa in terms of needed improvement in 2023. If both units leap forward, it probably will be one of those special seasons around here.

The program invested in offense this offseason. Former Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara headlined the transfer-portal additions. Talented Wolverine tight end, Erick All, offensive linemen Rusty Feth and Daijon Parker, and receiver Seth Anderson joined him.

Anderson (6-0, 178) was a must-get for the Hawkeyes. Their inability to find enough consistent production at the position the last two seasons played a role in the offensive struggles.

Unfortunately for the sophomore from Charleston Southern, he missed Spring practice due to an injury. Parker also was sidelined for most of that period, McNamara was limited and Feth was finishing up school at Miami (Ohio).

That's behind them now. McNamara, Anderson and the other skills positions can work on chemistry and timing during the next four months. Seven-on-seven workouts roll around in June, when true freshmen arrive for team conditioning.

Anderson won the Big South Conference's Offensive Freshman of the Year award in '22. The Atlanta-area product led Charleston Southern in receiving yards (612) and touchdowns (7), and ranked second in receptions (42). He chose the Hawkeyes ahead of offers received from hometown Georgia Tech and Appalachian State while in the portal.

The biggest addition (sort of) to the '23 receiver group was someone already here, however. Sixth-year senior Nico Ragaini (6-0, 196) announced during December's Music City Bowl preparation that he would be back for another run with the Hawkeyes. He's thinking Big Ten championship.

Achieving that goal will take better production from his position. He knows he needs help and is leading the room. That's a great start to getting there.

The Hawkeyes can expect steady production from Ragaini based on history. He comes into the campaign ranked No. 12 on Iowa's all-time list for receptions (125), one behind Ronnie Harmon. A 50-catch '23 would push him one past Kevonte Martin Manley's program record.

Nick Easley was the last Iowa receiver with that many receptions in a season. He caught 51 in '17.

Diante Vines (6-0, 198) joins Ragaini and Anderson as scholarship receivers with college experience. The fourth-year junior started five game's last season after bouncing back from a camp injury that cost him the first six contests. The Pennsylvania native caught 10 passes for 94 yards.

Maybe the aforementioned trio fills the stat sheet in the Fall. Whatever works. More likely, others will be involved if success is enjoyed at this spot.

Redshirt freshman Jacob Bostick (6-2, 171) is in need of some good luck. He's trying to overcome an injury that knocked him out of Spring practice after he was slowed by ailments in the Fall.

A talented collection of walk-ons resides at receiver. Third-year sophomore Alec Wick (6-1, 196) has two receptions for 31 yards and a pair of from '22 on his resume. Reese Osgood, Jack Johnson, Graham Friedrichsen, Kaden Wetjen, Alex Eichmann and Ohio State transfer Austin Kutscher round out the group.

Three incoming freshmen arrive as receivers. Marion's Alex Mota, Tampa's Jarriett Buie and Kansas City's Dayton Howard come to town next month looking to seize the opportunity.

Adding from the portal makes a lot of sense for Iowa. One guy firmly on the radar is former Ohio State receiver Kaleb Brown, who visited the Hawkeyes on Wednesday.

The Hawkeyes offered Brown when he was in high school. He spoke with HN when it happened in '20. The coach at his high school, Martin Hopkins, played and coached Iowa.

*Update: Brown committed to the Hawkeyes on Thursday.