It has been a frustrating career thus far for Diante Vines in Iowa City.
Vines has a lot of what you want in a receiver, especially for the Iowa football program. He has boatloads of talent and just seems to have the right attitude for success. Every time he is interviewed you can just see the work ethic, see the winning mentality. That sounds exactly like the type of player the Iowa Hawkeyes have needed over the past few seasons.
Unfortunately, Vines’ career has been stymied due to circumstances completely out of his control. It’s been untimely injury after injury for the Connecticut native. In camp last year, he looked to be Iowa’s breakout star at the position. He impressed coaches and onlookers alike with his play, and everything just seemed to be coming together.
Then, the injury bug once again bit.
Vines missed a good portion of the season due to a wrist injury. He wasn’t able to really find his groove in an offense that looked directionless, but it was great to see him back out on the field.
Vines’ breakout may have been postponed from last season, but he’s doing his best to ensure that it will not be canceled. One of only two receivers currently practicing due to injuries, Vines is getting valued practice reps with new starting quarterback Cade McNamara. That’s great because it just so happens that McNamara is going to need a new No. 1 receiver on his new team.
With the job wide open, why can’t it be Diante Vines? Here’s a look at this potential breakout receiver for the 2023 season.
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Diante Vines’ Preseason Player Profile
Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK
Hometown: Danbury, Conn.
Ht: 6-0
Wt: 198
Class in 2023: Jr.
Recruiting
Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK
| Stars | Overall | State | Position | |
| 247 | 3 | N/A | 10 | 132 |
| Rivals | 3 | N/A | 9 | 42 |
| ESPN | 3 | N/A | 12 | 269 |
| On3 Recruiting | N/a | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 247 Composite | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Before Iowa
Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK
- Earned All-New England and Erickson League first-team honors as a wide receiver and defensive back as a junior at Danbury High School and senior at Taft
- Holds career records at Taft for receiving yards, receptions, and touchdown receptions
- Earned all-conference honors as a defensive back as a sophomore
Career Stats
Bryon Houlgrave/The Register, Des Moines Register / USA TODAY NETWORK
| Receiving | Rushing | Scrimmage | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD |
| 2020 | Iowa | Big Ten | FR | WR | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
| *2021 | Iowa | Big Ten | FR | WR | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
| *2022 | Iowa | Big Ten | JR | WR | 7 | 10 | 94 | 9.4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 0 | 11 | 96 | 8.7 | 0 |
| Career | Iowa | 10 | 94 | 9.4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 0 | 11 | 96 | 8.7 | 0 | ||||
Depth Chart Overview
Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen via Imagn Content Services, LLC
The wide receiver position for Iowa is currently up in the air. While Nico Ragaini is returning, McNamara will definitely be looking for a breakout star or two on the outside to form a connection with. It’s really anyone’s battle to win, and Vines appears to be an early front-runner for the starting job. He has experience within the system and his talent is evident. Now, he just needs to stay on the field and show it!
Quote Them
Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK
“We’re still gonna be playing Iowa football,” Vines said. “We’re just looking to key into all the details more and make these things happen that we didn’t make happen last year, and so far, it’s going pretty well.”
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